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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 114: October 8, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The Americans returned home early Sunday morning after a weekend split in Badlands. The Americans won 6-4 on Friday night with five different goal scorer’s chipping in. Xander Troyer added the empty net goal for his second of the game along with an assist while his older brother Jase added a goal and two assists with Gordon Jennings adding two power play assists. JD Stephens picked up the win in goal with Jaxon Kruzich seeing his first action in goal with 8 saves in the 3rd period.
The Americans were shorthanded over the weekend as three players stayed home due to injury or sickness and Jase and Xander Troyer returned to Great Falls after the game Friday night to attend the Tanner Rust service on Saturday. Throw in another concussed player during the game Saturday night and the Americans were down six players for the second half of Saturday’s 4-2 loss. These situations create a “next man up” mentality and the squad did step up with a very solid effort and just came up short. Kaleb Wood got his first start in goal and finished with 28 saves while Keifer Lundmark and Cooper Palazzolo added the goals. Although wins are nice – there is also some value in facing adversity and managing it with the proper effort for the big picture of team development.
Our first trip to Rapid City generally allows us to also do some off-ice stuff that is always memorable for our players. On Friday morning, they headed to Mt. Rushmore on a beautiful Fall Day which gave them a chance to get some fresh air, some exercise and see a national monument.
Next up is a home and home series with Butte. The Americans travel to Butte on Friday night for a 7:30 PM puck drop and you can catch all the action at our
official watch party location Buffalo Wild Wings. The Americans host Butte on Saturday on Blue Cross Blue Shield Night with a 7:05 PM start. We will be welcoming staff and members from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana to the game with special merchandise opportunities for all fans. We have a new supply of Rowdy Mood Hats in hand after selling out during the first period of our last home game. And, the 2026-27 Beanies have arrived – including some special edition “Think Pink” beanies. Now is also your LAST 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 order your custom jersey.
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The Montana Club joins our team of Chuck-a-Puck Prize partners for the first time and will be offering a $25 gift card for whoever chucks their pucks closest to their target during the 2nd intermission of all home games.
Finally, we are also offering an opportunity 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 from Triangle Graphics available that weekend. You can place your pre-order at the game this weekend or online at: www.greatfallsamericans.shop
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Don’t forget to activate with DASH (Scan QR Code) so you can participate in the upcoming “Think Pink” Jersey auction with proceeds going to the Benefis Health-Sletten Cancer Institute.
Player Profile – #4 Logan Knowles (Spokane, WA) 6’2” 178 lbs. DEF– Shoots Right DOB 06/27/2009
Favorite Team: Chicago Blackhawks Favorite Player: Niklas Hjalmarsson
Favorite Movie: Top Gun Actor/Actress: Jonah Hill
Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken and Rice
If you were an animal: Raven– So I can fly wherever I want
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Pearl Jam
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Take It-Staind
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Colton Bacon
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf and Flying Planes
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Alan Jackson, Toby Keith, Tiger Woods
College/University of Choice: University of Washington or Georgia
Like Most About Great Falls: Scheels and Cafe Rio
How would you define a successful season: Winning the Fraser Cup!
Here are the upcoming and special dates to add to your calendar:
- 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 Night.
- 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 – October 27th – “Think Pink” Jersey Auction with jerseys signed by respective players and auctioned off after wearing during Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend.
- October 23rd-24th – “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend-Presented by Benefis Health-Sletten Cancer Institute, 7:05PM Puck drop both nights versus Gillette.
- October 30th – Away game at Yellowstone. 7:30 PM- Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- October 31st – Away game at Sheridan. 7:30 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- November 6th-7th 2026 – Military Appreciation Weekend-Presented by 1st Liberty Federal Credit Union
- November 13th-14th – Away games versus Yellowstone in Sidney, 7:30 PM – Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- 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