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BALDY’S PUCK DROP Weekly E-Newsletter (September – March) |
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Baldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 14: December 7, 2023
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast:
Going to start this week with some NA3HL “Player of the Month” Recognition. Forward Ty O’Bey and Defenseman Phil
Harrell were both recognized as honorable mention players for the month of November by the league. Ty is currently tied for the 3rd in the league for scoring (Dmitri Kuleshov is just a few points behind and is 14th in scoring) and Phil brings a veteran presence to the Defense corps and as one of the team captains.
Congratulations to both Ty and Phil for their recognition and for representing the Great Falls Americans at the highest level. I should also mention Ty was invited to participate in Bismarck’s (NAHL) practices this week, so another chance for us to showcase the development of our players. A special thanks to Dustin Bauer for the action photos of Ty and Phil.
The team was in Bozeman Friday night and ran into a determined and motivated IceDogs squad. I generally try not to look back, but in this case I’ll take a bow for predicting how our games with Bozeman will likely go this season in the October 12th Edition when I said: “It was a well-played game with two evenly match teams, look for seven remaining games with Bozeman to all be competitive and could go either way.” It was not our best effort – but sometimes you just have to give credit to the other team for being better that night. We are now 2-2 against Bozeman with four more to play in January – goals in those four games are also even at 11-11.
Saturday was the team Christmas party and a huge thank you goes out to our Booster Club and billet families for organizing a great night of food, drink and bowling at the Elks’ Lodge. Of course, it included an ugly sweater contest and every player ended up with a gift card in their stocking for the night. The team will do another Christmas get together while on the road at the NA3HL Showcase where they will do their secret Santa gift exchange. They will leave on Thursday the 14th after practice, spend a night in Bismarck, attend a USHL game in Fargo on Friday and then arrive to the twin cities on Saturday the 16th. Games take place on the 17th– 19th and then all players will be off for the holidays until January 2nd. I’ll have more info on the Showcase event in next week’s edition.
The Americans hit the road on Friday for two games in Yellowstone (Cody, WY) with puck drop at 7:05 PM both nights. Please join other passionate fans at our official watch party taking place at the Stadium Sports Bar and Casino (1121 5th St. S). I also am aware that we have several of our fans making the trip down to Cody – thank you for your support and be sure to drive safely!
Player Profile – #91 Aaron James (Eagle River, AK) 5’7” 146 lbs. FORWARD – Shoots Left
Favorite Team: Pittsburgh Penguins Favorite Player: Sidney Crosby
Favorite Movie: Step Brothers Favorite Actor/Actress: Sarah Cameron
Favorite Food: Steak and Chicken Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Spaghetti
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Luke Combs
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: “Onna Come Up” by Lil Eazzyy
One Item you would bring with you to a deserted Island: Water
Hobbies other than Hockey: Jet Skiing, Snowmobiling
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Sugar Sidney Crosby, Cale Makar, DK Metcalf
College/University of Choice: Michigan Like Most About Great Falls: How nice all the people are.
How would you define a successful season: Giving our best effort every day and making a serious playoff run!
Also, thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
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Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners
| Century Gaming | Great Falls Hospital & Clinic | Anderson Glass-Door | Point S Tire & Auto Service |
| 2 J’s Complex | Borrie’s Italian Supper Club | Murphy Law Office | Stadium Sports Bar & Casino |
| Heidelberg Lounge | Treasure State Eyecare | Craftmaster Cabinets | Floors and More Abbey Carpets |
| Tuttle Tile | Teriyaki Madness | Central MT Lock & Safe | 3D International Restaurant |
| Jersey Mike’s | Noble’s West Side Liquor | Annie’s Taphouse | Hotel Avron-Celtic Cowboy |
| Scheel’s | Croxford Funeral Home | Big Sky Laboratory | Allstate- Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs |
| All State Signs | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Automotive Machine | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Wheat Montana | Stifel Investment Services | Bigelow Endodontics | Best Western Plus Riverfront Hotel |
| Culligan Water | Best Med Urgent Care | Buffalo Wild Wings | Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery |
| Stockman Bank | SpringHill Suites by Marriott | Central Avenue Meats | Todd Neighbor at Comparion Insurance |
| Fuddrucker’s | Play It Again Sports | The Beacon IceHouse | Nate & Renae Weisenburger |
| Life In Bloom | Camparion Insurance | United Materials | Fox Sports Radio, Q106, 109.9 The Wolf |
| Hampton Inn | Traynor Capital | Bravera Bank | Discount Meats |
| KFBB (SWX) | Cascade Electric |
Thank you for being a part of our family and we look forward to seeing you at the rink.
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com