BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – March) |
Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 6: October 12, 2023
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast:
The Americans had their first away game of the season last Sunday in Bozeman and came up just short with a 4-2 setback. It was a well-played game with two evenly match teams, look for seven remaining games with Bozeman to all be competitive and could go either way. Congratulations to this week’s highlighted player, Ty Brander, for receiving the NA3HL’s Honorable Mention Player of the Week for the Frontier Division.
On Thursday the 5th, Phil Harrell, Sam Duehlmeier, Aaron Leaf and Kaden Ryhder, along with myself and Coaches Greg and Alex, attended Oktoberfest at Malmstrom AFB and set up a little street hockey venue for the Airmen and their kids. The day started with a few kids having some fun with our players before they were run off by some Airman who wanted in on the action. Six of America’s finest beat the “you know what” out of each other for about 30 minutes and had a blast before moving on to their axe throwing competition and turning it back over to the kids. Previously, they competed in a “squat lifting” competition (they lifted a ½ barrel) with our friend in the Flyer’s jersey winning with 120 squats. Needless to say, the beer and food was great and it was a humbling experience for our delegation to spend some time with those who have dedicated themselves to protecting our country. You will also likely see them at our upcoming games – be sure to offer your thanks on behalf of the Great Falls Americans.
Tonight’s game is brought to you by the Great Falls Hospital and Clinics. Several of their staff will be in attendance and we look forward to having them as part of our family and to thank them for all they do for the community. I am sure some are wondering about the quirkiness of playing a Thursday night game plus having it be our 4th straight home game versus Badlands. One of the challenges we do have is the travel and since we were scheduled to play Badlands eight times this season, we had worked with our partners from Rapid City, South Dakota, to try to minimize travel and become a little more efficient. Rapid City is about 10 hours by bus, so they came in for a three-game set two weeks ago and now will play us Thursday before heading to Helena to play Friday/Saturday. We will do the same thing in February when we play at Badlands on a Thursday before going to Gillette for a normal two-game weekend. The end result is it will save us each one additional trip to our farthest location this season.
We are also welcoming CPS Pharmacy Solutions to our game tonight for a corporate outing. They will be able to enjoy the Americans’ game with VIP access with food and drink all part of their package. Anyone who would like to consider a similar outing at one of our games can simply contact me for more information. We can accommodate anywhere between 10 and 40 attendees.
We hit the road this Sunday for our first overnight trip this weekend as we face-off against Sheridan both Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 PM. Here is the reminder to join many of our fans at our official “Watch Party” location – the Stadium Sports Bar and Casino for all away games this season. Thank you to Todd and Lara Clark for graciously hosting these events. Next home game is Saturday, October 21st at 7:00 PM versus the Butte Fighting Irish.
Player Profile – #3 Ty Brander (Airdrie, Alberta) 5’7” 120 lbs. Defenseman – Shoots Left
Favorite Team: Vancouver Canucks Favorite Player: Quinn Hughes
Favorite Movie: The Wolf of Wall Street Favorite Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler
Favorite Food: Tacos Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken Alfredo
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Morgan Wallen
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: Kick Start My Heart -Motley Crue
One Item you would bring with you to a deserted Island: Boat
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Joe Rogan, Joe Burrow, Snoop Dogg
College/University of Choice: ASU Like Most About Great Falls: My Teammates.
How would you define a successful season: Reaching personal goals and winning the Fraser Cup.
Also, thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners
Century Gaming | Great Falls Hospital & Clinic | Anderson Glass-Door | Point S Tire & Auto Service |
2 J’s Complex | Borrie’s Italian Supper Club | Murphy Law Office | Stadium Sports Bar & Casino |
Heidelberg Lounge | Treasure State Eyecare | Craftmaster Cabinets | Floors and More Abbey Carpets |
Tuttle Tile | Teriyaki Madness | Central MT Lock & Safe | 3D International Restaurant |
Jersey Mike’s | Noble’s West Side Liquor | Annie’s Taphouse | Hotel Avron-Celtic Cowboy |
Scheel’s | Croxford Funeral Home | Big Sky Laboratory | Allstate- Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs |
All State Signs | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Automotive Machine | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
Wheat Montana | Stifel Investment Services | Bigelow Endodontics | Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel |
Culligan Water | Best Med Urgent Care | Buffalo Wild Wings | Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery |
Stockman Bank | SpringHill Suites by Marriott | Central Avenue Meats | Todd Neighbor at Comparion Insurance |
Fuddrucker’s | Play It Again Sports | The Beacon IceHouse | Nate & Renae Weisenburger |
Life In Bloom | Camparion Insurance | United Materials | Fox Sports Radio, Q106, 109.9 The Wolf |
Hampton Inn | Traynor Capital | Bravera Bank | Discount Meats |
KFBB (SWX) | Cascade Electric |
Thank you for being a part of our family and we look forward to seeing you at the rink.
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com