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Weekly E-Newsletter (September – March) |
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BALDY’S PUCK DROPBaldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 9: November 2, 2023
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast:
Well, the players accepted the challenge and came back with a good, gritty 3-1 win on Sunday over a really good Bozeman team. Now on to the next challenge to repeat that type of effort each and every time they step on the ice for a full 60 minutes. Goalkeeper Kayden Rhyder and forwards Ty O’Bey, Dmitri Kuleshov and Aaron James led the way along with some solid efforts from Luke Pizzey and Tariq Kahn moving back to play defense for the first time this season. Ty and Kaden were then recognized with Honorable Mention “Player of the Week” honors from the Frontier Division of the NA3HL.
Our “Think Pink For the Girls” – a local Breast Cancer Support Group – fundraiser was a huge success with over
$1100 raised for this very worthy cause. Thank you, a bunch, to our fans for supporting this cause through the 50:50 raffle (the winner donated their earnings back) and the gift basket raffle, not to mention coming to the game in the first place. City Motor Company also gets huge kudos for their $375 contribution to the cause. A special thanks goes out to the “Think Pink for the Girls” Committee (comprised of Tammy Comer, Joy Ostberg, Kristen Ostberg and Patty Toren) for putting their faith in the Americans as well as our partners “Life in Bloom” and “She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique” who donated marvelous gift baskets for the raffle.
The game was special for another reason and want to take this opportunity to congratulate defenseman and Captain Phil Harrell for his 100th game played at the Junior Level. That really is quite an accomplishment and is a respected milestone throughout Junior Hockey. The Booster Club assisted in making this a special occasion by providing the plaque and a specially decorated cake for Phil to share with the team after the game. We have two other current players who are on pace to reach the milestone later this season, so stay tuned for some more info on those coming up.
One of the GF Americans traditions under coach Sears’ tenure is to take Halloween rather
seriously. In fact, I am not sure I have met many adults who take it as seriously and is willing to have as much fun with it as Greg – as evidenced by his costumes at practice on Tuesday and last Friday at the annual team Halloween party hosted by Bob and Wendy Dick. On Friday, coach dressed up as a chicken, although some are suggesting it was actually a duck that had to change to a chicken when the “Duck Dynasty” 
crew showed up. There is a costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest for both the players and for the younger kids in attendance. As part of the festivities, they handed out over $500 in gift cards as prizes to the winners of each contest and seems like almost everyone one else. This year’s costume winners were a group of guys dressed up as Average Joe’s (the team from the movie “Dodgeball”) while Kaden Ryhder and Kaden Stillwell took home the team pumpkin carving honors. Thank you Bob and Wendy for hosting this fun team bonding event!
One home game this week against our rivals the Helen Bighorns. Puck drop is 7:00 PM on Saturday night and a special thank you goes out to Point S Tires and Auto Service for being our presenting sponsor for Saturday night’s game.
Player Profile – #4 Caleb Gamboa (Anchorage, AK) 6’0” 160 lbs. Forward – Shoots Left
Favorite Team: Washington Capitals Favorite Player: Evgeny Kuznetsov
Favorite Movie: The Batman Favorite Actor/Actress: Will Ferrell
Favorite Food: Fried Chicken Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Pasta & Chicken
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Beastie Boys
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: “Never Hating” – Lil Baby
One Item you would bring with you to a deserted Island: Water
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Any US President, Shaq, Will Ferrell
College/University of Choice: University of Montana Like Most About Great Falls: The people – most are very nice unlike other places.
How would you define a successful season: Knowing everyone gave their best effort.
Also, thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
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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