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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 119: November 12, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The Americans passed the 1/3-way point of the season this past weekend. Although we are satisfied with where we are at, the squad realizes there is still a lot of work to do and the next eight games prior to the NA3HL Showcase, and holiday break will go a long way in determining the season’s success. I also note that with the experience they have gained, being a young team will no longer be an excuse. It is time for all involved to step up and play consistently at the level they are capable of while our coaching staff is challenged to coach them up to give them the best chance of reaching that level.
Military Appreciation weekend opened with a 4-1 loss to Helena. Once again, the Americans played well for fifty minutes and a ten-minute lapse at the start of the 3rd period allowed a 1-1 tie to quickly escalate to a 4-1 deficit. The fact is Helena is a better team right now – not unbeatable – and the margin for error is very small. Xander Troyer recorded the Americans’ goal and JD Stephens recorded 55 saves in the game.
Saturday afternoon was a tight defensive battle against the 2nd place Badlands Sabres and the Americans may have executed as well as they have all season. Badlands took the lead halfway through the 2nd period before the Troyer brothers got to work with Jase netting the tying goal with just under 3:00 remaining in the period (assists to Xander Troyer and Jordan Antar). Xander netted the game winner (assists to Jase Troyer and Gordy Jennings) 40 seconds into overtime. Zach Bohan picked up his first win as an American while recording 31 saves.
The Military Appreciation jerseys worn by the Americans over the weekend were, once again a hit with the players and the fans. The jerseys were then washed and are signed by the players while auctioning off through DASH. Proceeds from the jersey auction will be directed towards the Top 3- Fly Home Program. The Top 3 at Malmstrom Air Force Base is committed to helping hardworking, reliable, and dedicated Airmen “Fly Home” each quarter to visit their family and friends. Our goal is to help grow and sustain this program so we can continue supporting deserving Airmen in reconnecting with loved ones. We raised $2400 for the cause – topping our total from last season – and very much look forward to continuing this special activation next season.
I am delighted to announce that goalkeeper, JD Stephens (Aurora, CO), was called up to practice with the Idaho Falls Spud Kings of the NAHL this week. Player development is such a significant part of the culture we are trying to create, so we are always happy to have our guys recognized and get an opportunity to perform at the next level. Congrats to JD and we anticipate it won’t be the last call-up we have this season.
Next up is a road trip to Sidney, Montana, this weekend as the Yellowstone Quake will be hosting us for two games at the Richland Ranger Arena. The timing could not be any better as there was a little issue in Cody with carbon monoxide poisoning last weekend that dramatically impacted both Yellowstone and Butte plus the fans and officials. The Sidney trip was planned over the summer, so is not a direct result of the issue last weekend, but we are excited to get out and about in this great state and look forward to exposing the Sidney community to the NA3HL game. As always, you can catch both games at our official watch party location- Buffalo Wild Wings – with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 both nights.
The Americans next home game is November 28th as we host Bozeman and will be our first $2 beer night – presented by Gusto Distributing. Small domestic
beers will be $2 while small craft beers will be $3. For those looking for a little extra with the red cups, those beers will be discounted $2 as well. I know there is a lot going on over the holiday weekend, but let’s make sure we still pack the Ice Plex and support our team as we approach the half-way point of the season. The next activation to look for is the Russell Country Federal Credit Union “Teddy Bear Toss” on December 12th. As part of the festivities, we will be auctioning off a very limited (nine total) special Teddy Bear/Christmas themed jerseys with the proceeds benefitting a program we will run next summer with Russell Country FCU that will allow under-privileged kids to experience ice sports during a summer camp type format.
Player Profile – #13 Wilson Giles (Fairfield, MT) 5’7” 160 lbs. FOR– Shoots Right DOB 10/18/2007
Favorite Team: New York Islanders Favorite Player: Mat Barzal
Favorite Movie: No Country for Old Men Actor/Actress: Ryan Gosling
Favorite Food: Brisket Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Eggs and Sausage
If you were an animal: An Elk – they are the perfect animal
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Alice in Chains
Pre-Game Hype Music: 90’s punk and grunge rock
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: My cousin Sloan
Hobbies other than Hockey: Hunting and Hiking
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Mat Barzal, Joe Rogan, Donald Trump
College/University of Choice: Utah State
Like Most About Great Falls: The short distance to the mountains
How would you define a successful season: A successful playoff run
Here are the upcoming and special dates to add to your calendar:
- November 13th-14th – Away games versus Yellowstone in Sidney, MT 7:30 PM – Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- November 20th – Away game at Butte 7:30 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- November 22nd -23rd – Top Prospects Tournament (2006-2007 Birth Years) Marlborough, MA.
- November 28th – Home game versus Bozeman. 7:05 PM Puck Drop and $2 beer night presented by Gusto Distributing.
- December 5th – Home game versus Helena and Salute to 10U Hockey 7:05 PM.
- December 6th – Away game versus Bozeman 5:15 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- December 11th– Home game versus Yellowstone and Salute to 8U Hockey 7:05 PM.
- December 12th – 2nd Annual Russell Country Federal Credit Union “Teddy Bear Toss”.
- December 20th-22nd – NA3HL Showcase, Blaine, MN.
- January 8th and 15th – Rodeo/Rancher Appreciation.
- February 12th and 13th – Local Business Appreciation presented by Comparion Insurance- Todd Neighbor and Great Falls Chamber of Commerce.
- March 12th – Home game versus Badlands Sabres – Billet Appreciation presented by Toyota.
- March 13th – Home game versus Bozeman – Fan Appreciation presented by Toyota.
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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Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners (* new this season)
| 3D International Restaurant & Lounge* | AJ Concrete* | All-State Signs |
| Annie’s Taphouse | Beacon Ice House | Benski Towing & Recovery |
| Big Sky Laboratory | Bravera Bank | Cascade Electric |
| Central Avenue Meats | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Comparion Insturance- Todd Neighbor | Craftmaster Cabinets | Coca-Cola |
| Croxford Funeral Home | Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation | Ferrin’s Furniture |
| Fire Pizza | Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Golden Triangle Graphics* |
| Great Falls Clinics | Hampton Inn & Suites | Homestead 1909* |
| Jersey Mike’s | Kubota-Johnson Distributing | Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique |
| Montana Club* | Mountain Title Company | Murphy Law |
| Open Door Wellness | Play It Again Sports | Rainbow Senior Living* |
| Scheels | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique | Sip-N-Dip Lounge |
| Slabtek* (Concrete Lifting) | Sletten Construction* | Stifel l Finnicum Financial Group |
| TDS Fiber | Visit Great Falls | Voices of Hope |
| Westgate Repair Inc. |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com