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BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – August) |
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Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 82: November 6, 2025
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The Americans are coming off a productive weekend trip to Gillette picking up 4-1 and 4-3 wins – snapping a 15- game losing streak in Gillette. Friday night’s win was a solid 60-minute effort after falling behind 1-0 late in the first period with a Gillette power play goal. AJ Prioli led the way with a goal and an assist while Cooper Clouse added two goals, and Ethan Miller threw in two assists. Jaxen Savage closed out the scoring with an empty net goal. Kaden Rhyder backstopped the Americans by allowing only one goal for his third straight win.
Saturday saw the Americans get off to a slow start falling behind 3-0 fifteen minutes into the game. The top line went to work again with a combined 10 points (Prioli 2G & 2A, Clouse 2G & 1A and Miller 3A) while Gordon Jennings also threw in two assists during the game. Cooper Clouse scored the game winner a little over a minute into the overtime and Gunnar Bergo gained his first win as an American by stopping all of the 22 shots he faced after coming into the game in relief in goal. For his efforts, AJ Prioli (left) earned 2nd “Star of the Week” honors for the Frontier Division, which marks the third week in a row an American has garnered 1st or 2nd “Star of the Week” recognition.
This week sees the Americans head to first place Sheridan for a two-game set and an opportunity to truly measure the progress we have made this season. Puck Drop is 7:30 PM both nights and Buffalo Wild Wings will be hosting our official “Watch Party” for
our fans with the game on several TV’s plus some great food and drink. If you haven’t done so before, this weekend provides a great opportunity to watch the games with other passionate fans during our watch parties.
I am very pleased to announce that we have partnered with the Special Olympics of Montana to support some of their many activities in the coming year. The Polar Plunge®, a proud Law Enforcement Torch Run® (LETR) tradition since 1999, has grown from one chilly jump in Whitefish to 14 plunges across Montana— raising more than $450,000 each year for Special Olympics Montana athletes! This year’s plunge is scheduled for a game day, so the Americans won’t be able to participate in that capacity. However, we’re joining the fun at the Cool Schools Challenge at both Lincoln Elementary and Sacajawea Elementary Schools! The Great Falls Americans are teaming up to help support the incredible fundraising efforts but also — if the school hits its goal, one of your favorite players will take the icy plunge and get DUNKED with an ice bucket by a lucky student. Stay tuned for updates on how you can contribute and help these two schools reach their goals, cheer on your school, and let’s make a splash for inclusion!
I promised I would touch on a few of our other exciting new promotions coming up during our home games for the rest of the calendar year.
On September 15th versus Bozeman, we will be welcoming the staff and students from Great Falls College on Great Falls College River Otter Night. We look forward to engaging them in some special promotions and provide a platform to highlight their programs available to all adults. November 15th is also our 2nd Toyota – Let’s Go Places – night of the season.
November 21st and 22nd is our Annual Military Appreciation Weekend and we are pleased to welcome 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union as our presenting partner. With their help, we are able to
wear special edition military themed jerseys that pay homage to Malmstrom AFB and will be signed and auctioned off after the weekend with a portion of the proceeds going towards a military themed charity. Our players are excited for the opportunity to honor our past and present military personnel with special promotions exclusive to our military heroes, the presence of the honor guard, military participation in the national anthem and by wearing the special jerseys for the two games versus the Yellowstone Quake. It promises to be a great weekend to honor a significant and important part of Great Falls’ history and culture directly related to the Air Force Base and other military heroes. We will be accepting donations for the Care and Share Food Bank during this weekend, as well, as we head into the holiday season.
The Friday after Thanksgiving, the Americans host Helena in Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana Night as we welcome staff and member of Blue Cross Blue Shield.
Finally, for the first time on December 6th versus Bozeman will allow us to create a special night for 10U hockey players from all over the northwest that are in town for the Great Falls Youth Hockey Association annual 10U hockey tournament. Look for the Americans to recognize these 10U players during a friendly competition during the first intermission and we are delighted to offer our 1st Annual “Teddy Bear Toss” presented by Russell Country Federal Credit Union. The “Teddy Bear Toss” is a long-standing hockey tradition where fans bring a plush toy to the game and throw them onto the ice when the Americans score their first goal. These toys are then collected and donated to a charity that will distribute the toys to children in need during the holidays. I know it is a month away and there is a lot going on between now and December 6th but wanted to make sure this got on everyone’s radar as this is one of those events you won’t want to miss.
Player Profile – #16 Jarod Lemieux (Geraldton, ONT) 6’0” 195 lbs. FOR – Shoots Left DOB 10/09/2005
Favorite Team: Ottawa Senators 
Favorite Player: Brady Tkachuk
Favorite Movie: The Hangover
Favorite Actor/Actress: Christian Bale
Favorite Food: Sushi
Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken and Rice
If you were animal: Leopard – Because they are strong and fast.
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Riley Green
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Hooked-NOTION
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Adam Sandler
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf, Watching Football
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Aaron Rodgers, Rickie Fowler, Alex Rodriguez
College/University of Choice: University of Minnesota-Duluth
Like Most About Great Falls: The People
How would you define a successful season: Winning the Fraser Cup!
Here are the upcoming dates to add to your calendar:
- November 7th and 8th – Away games at 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- November 14th – Away game at 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- November 15th – Home game versus Great Falls College River Otter Night presented by Toyota. 7:05 PM Puck Drop.
- November 21st and 22nd – Military Appreciation weekend versus Yellowstone Quake presented by 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union. Special edition Military Jerseys will be auctioned off after the games. Puck drop 7:05 PM both nights. Care and Share Food Drive
- November 28th – Home game versus Puck drop at 7:05 PM and it is Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana Night. Care and Share Food Drive.
- November 29th – Away game at 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- December 5th – Away game at 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- December 6th – Home game versus First annual “Teddy Bear Toss” presented by Russell Country Federal Credit Union and “Salute to 10U Hockey”!
- December 14-16 – NA3HL Showcase in Blaine, Games times and opponents TBD.
Thank you to our corporate partners for their continued support.
Eagle’s Nest Level
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Diamond Level
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Platinum Level
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Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs
Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners (* new this season)
| All-State Signs | Beacon Ice House | Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation* |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Central Avenue Meats | MNoel Photography |
| Havre Youth Hockey | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Life in Bloom Floral @ Gift Boutique | Hotel Arvon/Celtic Cowboy | Stifel l Finnicum Financial Group |
| Coca-Cola* | Craftmaster Cabinets | Culligan Water |
| Comparion Insurance | Play It Again Sports | Open Door Wellness |
| Big Sky Laboratory | Cascade Electric | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Ferrin’s Furniture | Great Falls Hospital | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Jersey Mike’s | Karma Coffee | Murphy Law |
| Scheels | Stockman Bank | Traynor Capital |
| Voices of Hope* | Johnson Distributing | Mountain Title Company |
| Fire Pizza* | Montana Rib & Chop House* | Visit Great Falls |
| Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory | Bish’s RV of Great Falls* | StaRadio |
| Benski Towing & Recovery | Westgate Repair, Inc. | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Sip-N-Dip Lounge* |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com