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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 116: October 22, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: The long season is full of ups and downs and this past weekend proved to be difficult. Even though the staff knew what to expect from Helena on Friday night and did what they could to warn the players, many of them still needed to experience it to believe it and got what they deserved in a 7-2 loss. The squad dug themselves a 4-0 hole 19 seconds into the 2nd period and simply did not take advantage of the opportunities they had to get back into the game. Jacob Weber and Cooper Palazollo tallied the goals. The other highlight was Jaxon Kruzich relieving JD Stephens in goal for the 3rd period and recorded 26 saves on 28 shots.
The Americans returned home to face Bozeman on Saturday night, falling 3-2 in a back-and-forth game after giving up the game winning goal in the final minute. Keifer Lundmark and Jordan Antar recorded the goals, and Zach Bohan saw his first action in goal recording 41 saves.
One area that needs to be improved upon and the staff has addressed is careless and reckless actions that result in ejections and suspensions. There have simply been too many of these incidents whereas our players may not have the intent to be careless but still need to be accountable for their physical play and play within the rules. We want our players to be aggressive and play physically. The expectation is to do so without crossing the line and do so within the rules. I know our staff is looking forward to the day when we have all our players available as that has not happened since opening night due to illness or suspensions.
Our “Think Pink” Breast Cancer Awareness weekend is here, and our players can’t wait to get on the pink ice at home in front of our fans and raise funds for breast cancer support. It is safe to say that all of us have been touched with someone in our lives that has battled some form of cancer, so our guys are proud to be a
part of this weekend and if you have followed along on our social media, have identified someone in their life that they are playing for this weekend. Our leadership group, plus Baldy, will stop by the Benefis-Sletten Cancer Institute this morning to mingle with their staff and take a photo to help promote the weekend. With Benefis’ support, we will have a lot of new hockey fans in the rink this weekend and I trust our loyal fans will welcome them with open arms and participate in the various raffles/sales to support the cause. We are proud to welcome our friends from “Think Pink for the Girls” – a local breast cancer support group that supports victims and their families here in Cascade County- as one of the beneficiaries, along with the Sletten Cancer Institute, of the funds raised over the weekend.
The 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 $13,500 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. There will be special “Think Pink” merchandise available, raffle baskets from She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique and Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique plus pink ribbon tattoos and bracelets for sale with all the proceeds going towards “Think Pink for the Girls”. In addition, the Americans will be donating $1 for every fan in attendance that is being matched by City Chevrolet. The Ice Plex staff plus a group of dedicated volunteers will work late into Thursday night to paint the ice pink and create a visual for a fantastic weekend – please plan on joining us in our efforts to paint the rink pink.
However, the highlight of the weekend is the “Think Pink” Jersey Auction taking place. The auction opens at 9:00 AM on
Friday morning and will run through 9:00 PM on Tuesday, October 27th. The auction includes the game worn signed jersey from every Americans’ player plus we will also have a team signed jersey and team signed framed program insert, with each player identifying who they are playing for, being auctioned off. Proceeds will go to the Benefis Health- Sletten Cancer Institute Foundation. There will also be special merchandise on sale. You can activate DASH and participate in the auction by scanning the QR code.
A quick reminder 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 – #21 Ace McLeslie (Newport, WA) 5’7” 155 lbs. FOR– Shoots Left DOB 11/15/2008
Favorite Team: Edmonton Oilers Favorite Player: Zach Hyman
Favorite Movie: 21 Jump Street Actor/Actress: Shane Gillis
Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Peanut Butter & Jelly
If you were an animal: Bald Eagle – I am patriotic
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Logan Ryan Band
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Country
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Cameron Hanes
Hobbies other than Hockey: Hunting, Fishing and Golf
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Connor McGregor, Connor McDavid, Megan Maroney
College/University of Choice: Penn State University
Like Most About Great Falls: The landscape.
How would you define a successful season: Winning the Frontier Division!
Here are the upcoming and special dates to add to your calendar:
- 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, MT. 7:30 PM – Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- November 20th – Away game at 7:30 PM with Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- November 28th – Home game versus 7:05 PM Puck Drop and $2 beer night presented by Gusto Distributing.
- 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