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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 112: September 24, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: Week two is in the books and it confirmed what we learned after week one; the division is going to be highly competitive this season and our young team will face some adversity that should make them a stronger team when it matters. They started the weekend with an 8-3 win over Butte on Friday night with 12 different players hitting the scoresheet lead by 2 goals each from Keifer Lundmark and Jordan Antar while Austin Gibson tossed in 3 assists.
Saturday saw the Americans fall behind early versus a motivated Sheridan team and came up just short in a 3-2 loss. Jacob Weber and Paxon Sacre were the goal scorers and JD Stephens was solid in goal with 45 saves.
A very special thank you goes out to Northwestern Energy as our presenting partner on Friday night and for continuing their tradition of supporting community initiatives. Last season, Northwestern Energy donated $500 to Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation Center to support our sled hockey program and this season the beneficiary was Great Falls Amateur Hockey. Shane Etzwiler, North Central Community Relations Manager presented the check to Scott Moodie, President of GFAHA, and a handful of youth hockey players during our first intermission. The Americans are proud to partner with leaders in community involvement and want to thank all involved for their continued support.
The Americans hit the road for the first time on Saturday night to take on Helena. Puck drop is 7:05 PM and you can catch all the action at our official watch party
location, Buffalo Wild Wings. The Americans are off the ice on Friday night but will be out and about at OKTOBERFEST on the 100 Block of Central Avenue. Our players and staff will be set up in front of Annie’s Taphouse mingling with fans, handing out tickets/schedules and maybe playing a little street hockey. The weather looks good, so stop by for some great German food, beverage and music.
We have opened two opportunities for fans to pick up some special items from our online store. First up is the chance to order your custom jersey (home or away). Choose your size, name and number for either or both jerseys and an order will be placed in mid-October for delivery by the end of November. The Deadline to place your order is October 11th. Scan the QR code to place your order.
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It is also a chance to pre-order your special edition “Think Pink” merchandise so you have it to wear during our “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend on October 23rd and 24th. Pre-order your T-Shirt or Hoodie now and you’ll have it in your hands for the special weekend. We will also have limited edition “Think Pink” Beanies, Rowdy Mood Hats and Tumblers available that weekend, as well.
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A quick update on some of our alumni who have an exciting opportunity this weekend. John Lang and Fisher Hannesson at the University of Mary will have a chance to play versus NCAA Division I competition this weekend as they head to Alaska to play exhibition games versus the University of Alaska-Fairbanks on Friday and the University of Alaska-Anchorage on Saturday. It is a great opportunity for them to compete at the highest level of college hockey. Also, the Providence Argos hit the ice this Thursday-Friday-Saturday with former Americans’ player Sam Deuhlmeier and Owen Cronk lacing them up for the Argos. On Saturday, they host the University of Colorado who have Aiden Mulheran on their roster. Here is an update on our former players who are playing college hockey this season. Our coaching staff takes great pride in working with our young players and providing them with the experience and foundation to continue their hockey careers at the next level.
| Name | School | Level | Years with Americans |
| Tommy Gazich | University of Dubuque | NCAA DIII | 2020-21; 2021-22 |
| Zac Orwig | University of Oregon | ACHA DI | 2023-24; 2024-25 |
| Garren Narvaez | University of Oklahoma | ACHA DI | 2023-24; 2024-25 |
| Tyler Sunagel | University of Utah | ACHA DI | 2021-22; 2022-23 |
| Masen Kerr | Illinois State University | ACHA DI | 2023-24; 2024-25 |
| Garrett Driscoll | Western Michigan University | ACHA DI | 2023-24; 2024-25 |
| Sam Duehlmeier | University of Providence | ACHA DII | 2021-22; 2022-23; 2023-24 |
| Owen Cronk | Providence University | ACHA DIl | 2023-24; 2024-25; 2025-26 |
| Ben Cremers | University of Montana | ACHA DII | 2022-23 |
| Luke Pizzey | University of Montana | ACHA DII | 2023-24 |
| Spencer Schipferling | Jamestown University | ACHA DII | 2023-24 |
| Kaden Rhyder | Jamestown University | ACHA DI | 2023-24; 2024-25; 2025-26 |
| John Lang | University of Mary | ACHA DI | 2024-25 |
| Fisher Hannesson | University of Mary | ACHA DI | 2024-25; 2025-26 |
| Blake Komrofske | Neumann University | CHF | 2023-24; 2024-25 |
| Cal Laggis | Albright College | NCAA DIII | 2024-25 |
| Wes Weisenburger | Montana State | ACHA DII | 2022-23 |
| Riley Opperude | Dakota College | ACHA DII | 2021-22 |
| Aiden Mulheran | University of Colorado | ACHA DII | 2025-26 |
| Cooper Clouse | Hope College | ACHA DI | 2024-25; 2025-26 |
| Wyatt Hanna | Utah State University | ACHA DII | 2025-26 |
I’d like to mention a few other alumni and what they are up to. William Fallman played with the Americans for a portion of the 2022-23 season and is currently playing professional hockey in the 2nd division in Sweden. Dimitri Kuleshov played for the Americans during the 2023-24 season and is playing professional hockey in Australia. Finally, Carson Sears practiced with the Americans in 2023-24 and then played two seasons and has now committed to join the Air National Guard upon his high school graduation. I have no doubt there are other former players who are still involved in hockey or are making positive contributions to society that I have missed and hope to provide regular updates as the season progresses.
Player Profile – #33 Matty DiPalma (Meridian, ID) 5’10” 160 lbs. FOR– Shoots Right DOB 05/20/2008
Favorite Team: Pittsburgh Penguins Favorite Player: Sidney Crosby
Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting Actor/Actress: Adam Sandler or Denzel Washington
Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Smoothie or Acai
If you were an animal: Lion– So I can be the Alpha
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Zach Bryan
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Rap
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Sydney Sweeney
Hobbies other than Hockey: Baseball
Three People you would invite to Dinner: LeBron James, Robin Williams, Antonio Brown
College/University of Choice: University of Miami
Like Most About Great Falls: The Rivers
How would you define a successful season: Playing in the Finals
If you still need to purchase your season Montana Air National Guard Chuck-a-Pucks at a discounted rate, scan the QR code to the left and get into the action. The Montana Air National Guard “Chuck-A-Puck” is back for its second season with special prizes awarded from Teriyaki Madness, Play it Again Sports, Fire Pizza and The Sip-n-Dip Lounge during each home game. You can purchase your pucks at a discounted rate for the season in advance through DASH – simply choose the number of pucks (1-2-3 or 5) you would like to “chuck” and stop by the merchandise table to pick them up. The season chuck-a-pucks can be purchased until the end of September.
Here are the upcoming and special dates to add to your calendar:
- September 25th – Come meet the Americans at OKTOBERFEST at Annies Taphouse and Homestead 1909. 5:00-8:00 PM.
- September 26th – Away game at Helena. 7:05 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- October 2nd – OKTOBERFEST at Malmstrom AFB. 4:00 PM-8:00 PM
- October 2nd-3rd – Away games at Badlands. 7:00 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- October 9th – Away game at Butte. 7:30 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- October 10th – Home Games versus Butte – Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana
- October 11th – Deadline to order your Custom Jersey on our online store.
- October 16th – Away game at Helena 7:05 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- October 17th – Home Game versus Bozeman presented by Toyota. 7:05 PM
- October 23rd-24th – “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend-Presented by Benefis Health-Sletten Cancer Institute, 7:05PM Puck drop both nights versus Gillette.
- November 6th-7th 2026 – Military Appreciation Weekend-Presented by 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union
- 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 |
| 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