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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 115: October 15, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The Americans came away with their first sweep of the weekend with a 2-0 win at Butte Friday night and then followed that up with a 7-1 win on Saturday at home. Friday’s effort workmanlike as they took the lead mid-way through the first period and did a great job of locking it down while adding an empty net goal at the end the game. It might be one of the easier shutouts JD Stephens will have as he faced 29 shots with very few from a dangerous area.
Saturday was a tight game for the first 50 minutes with the Americans adding a goal in the 1st period and two more in the 2nd period before giving up a power play goal mid-way through the 3rd period. The Americans then stepped on the gas scoring 4 goals in the final six minutes to seal the deal. The biggest positive on the weekend is that we showed our depth as nine different players scored a goal on the weekend and 14 players recorded points. Another good sign is that the young squad is picking up some wins while still learning to play at the Junior Level and having areas where it is clear they still need some work. The best is yet to come. JD Stephens backstopped both games and with 73 saves and one goal allowed, earned the NA3HL Frontier Division’s 1st Star of the week honors.
The Americans travel to Helena on Friday night for a 7:05 PM puck drop and you can catch all the action at our official watch party location Buffalo Wild Wings. The Americans host Bozeman on Saturday on Toyota Night with a 7:05 PM start. It will also be your last 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 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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he Americans will be hosting Gillette during “Think Pink” weekend presented by Benefis Health-Sletten Cancer Institute. This is the fourth year hosting a “Think Pink” weekend and we have raised a little over $12,000 for Breast Cancer causes during the first three events. We are proud to welcome a very special skating exhibition from the Great Falls Figure Skating Club on Friday night and the Great Falls Junior Americans 6U players on Saturday. I’ll provide more information on all of the activities during this special weekend in next week’s edition, but in the meantime 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.
The Fall session of sled hockey is underway as we partner with Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation to provide an opportunity for these special athletes to play
the game we love. Our players are awesome in playing with the sled players and look forward to sharing the ice with them for the next several weeks. Participating this week are Zaile, Kevin, Weston, Jake and Steve. A very special thank you goes out to Great Falls Youth Hockey and the 6U squad for sharing the ice with the Sled players and The Eagle Mount staff and volunteers who make this happen. The partnership with Great Falls Amateur Hockey has never been stronger as we work hand-in-hand in promoting the game and utilizing the resources available, including our off-ice skill center and our players helping with practices when needed. We look forward to some exciting youth hockey tournaments coming up and recognizing the local youth hockey players throughout the season. Stay tuned for more info as the youth hockey season is now in full swing.
As we are looking to finalize the design for our special edition Rodeo/Rancher Jersey that we will wear in January, now is the time to submit any brands that you would like to be included. If you are a rancher, or know someone who is, and would like their brand included, you can reach out to Marcus Ivey from our staff or Matt Leaf to get more information and get the ball rolling. The more local brands we can get involved, the more creative we can get with the design and honor those who play such a critical role in Montana culture.
Finally, I want to bring a special fundraiser currently taking place at the Ice Plex to your attention. Silas Chambers is a local High School hockey player who is working toward earning the rank of Eagle Scout and for his Eagle Scout service project, he has chosen to make a lasting improvement to the Great Falls Ice Plex – A new Flagpole and American Flag. This project will give the Ice Plex a permanent place to proudly fly the Stars and Stripes, welcoming the hockey players, skaters, families, veterans and community members who walk through the doors each year. There are flyers all over the Ice Plex where you can get more information on how you can donate or you can scan the QR code to the left to make your contribution. The goal is $10,000 to provide the concrete base, a high-quality flagpole that can withstand typical Montana winds and two large Americans flags. 100% of your donation will go towards Silas’ goal, is tax deductible and will help support this future Eagle Scout and community leader make a difference in our facility.
Player Profile – #2 Xander Troyer (Great Falls, MT) 5’7” 155 lbs. FOR– Shoots Right DOB 11/20/2007
Favorite Team: Colorado Avalanche Favorite Player: Gabe Landeskog
Favorite Movie: Miracle Actor/Actress: Jake Gyllenhaal
Favorite Food: Chicken Alfredo Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken and Rice
If you were an animal: Lion– You are on the top of the food chain
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: George Strait or Chris Stapleton
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Rock
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: My Brother Jase
Hobbies other than Hockey: Hunting, Fishing and Gold
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Nathan McKinnon, Toby Keith, Shane Gillis
College/University of Choice: Montana State University
Like Most About Great Falls: The people here and the countryside.
How would you define a successful season: Winning the Frontier Division and golng to the Fraser Cup Finals!
Here are the upcoming and special dates to add to your calendar:
- 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