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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 46: November 21, 2024
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: I’ll start with a quick update on Jase Troyer’s Centerville High School 6-Man football team. Unfortunately, they dropped their state semi-final to Bridger 82-74 last Saturday, so their season is over and Jase is now ready to join us full time. Congrats on a good run and can only imagine what an 82-74 score for a High School Football game would look like. Sticking with HS Football, Coach Sear’s neighboring community, Grantsburg, and my HS team, Baldwin Woodville, have both advanced to the Wisconsin State finals in Madison later today. Grantsburg is in the Division 6 final while Baldwin- Woodville competes at the Division 4 level.
Now, to hockey. No one can say we are not at least entertaining. You have heard me say before and will say it again – sorry for all the cliches – It is about the process and not simply wins and losses; The coaching staff and I have very high expectations for this team; We can’t allow ourselves to get too high or too low – we have to stay even keeled; We have to learn to be consistent and play a full 60 minutes; I can go on and on – but really what I am trying to reinforce is: ”You don’t get results by focusing on results. You get results by focusing on the habits and behaviors that produce results.”
The Americans picked up the win on Friday – but for all practical purposes the collapse the last ten minutes of the game after going up 5-1GFA Newsletter 112124 
was an epic failure! The lack of situational awareness to allow Bozeman to get back into and then tie the game with 17 seconds left is inexcusable and NOONE felt good about it after the game. There was an extensive video session before the team hopped on the bus Saturday that was needed to correct some of those mistakes. As a result, our players did step up on Saturday night and ended Helena’s 45- game home winning streak with an extremely hard-fought and impressive 1-0 win. With that being said – and some may disagree – I don’t believe our guys would have been able to do that without the lesson learned Friday night – meaning if we would have rolled to the 5-1 or 6- 1 win it should have been on Friday night, they probably do not respond the way they did Saturday. That is what is ironic about sports.
Saturday’s win was impressive for a variety of reasons, some of which include the professional approach our players took to the game, the implementation of systems and strategies the coaches had laid out for them earlier in the day and the unwavering commitment to compete for the entire 60 minutes. Although they have the edge in the standings, that puts us at 2-2 against Helena this season with four to play plus, quite possibly, a playoff series at the end of the season. It should be a fun ride – but we have a lot of work to do the next two weekends at home to back up that win, starting with Bozeman and Butte on Friday and Saturday.
Before we move on to this weekend, we need to acknowledge our Frontier Division “Stars of the Week” for last
weekend. Goaltender Kayden Rhyder was recognized as the 1st Star for his two wins, including the shutout with 47 saves in Helena on Saturday night. Blayne Jusczak was recognized as the 3rd Star for his goal in each game, including his game winner with 14:00 left in the 3rd in Helena. Using my own editorial prerogative, I want to also recognize Sebe Perez for being an absolute warrior this past weekend with three assists (including carrying the mail with his effort on the assist for the game-winner on Saturday), winning key face-offs and simply being the leader by example since recently being named team captain.
Join us this Friday and Saturday for Military Appreciation Weekend – puck drop is 7:05 PM both nights – facing Bozeman on Friday night and Butte on Saturday. Both teams are right behind us in the division, so once again we find ourselves with an opportunity to cement our position in the standings. All military personnel will be able to purchase $5 tickets and will also receive reduced pricing on beer and 25-30% discounts in our merchandise store. A special thanks goes out to the Malmstrom AFB Color Guard who will present the colors both nights as we honor our military. We will also welcome Murphy Law to our game on Friday night for a corporate outing as their staff and families join us for what should be some great hockey. Saturday night, we welcome the “Think Pink For the Girls” Committee members as we present them with their donation check.
This morning, our squad continues their community involvement as they unload Christmas Trees for the Great Falls Optimist Club annual Christmas Tree sale. A semi full of fresh cut Christmas Tress of all shapes and sizes arrives at 9:00 AM at the Expo Center with the Americans responsible for getting them unloaded and set-up.
Finally, we would like to welcome our newest partner to the American’s family – Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory located at 1307 Central Avenue in Great Falls! Thank you for your support of the Great Falls Americans!
Player Profile – #6 Cole Molaski (Suamico, WIsconsin) 6’2” 175 lbs. FOR– Shoots Left DOB 04/22/2006
Favorite Team: Detroit Red Wings Favorite Player: Pavel Datsyuk
Favorite Movie: Grown Ups Actor/Actress: Kevin James
Favorite Food: Steak Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Rice & Chicken
If you were an animal: Bird – So I could fly!
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: ColdPlay
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Anything
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Coyote Petersoll
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf, Fishing
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Paul Bissonette, Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady
College/University of Choice: Western Michigan University
Like Most About Great Falls: Just like homee, but with mountains.
How would you define a successful season: Make Playoffs and win!
Here are the upcoming events for you to mark your calendars:
- November 21st – 9:00 AM the Americans will assist the Great Falls Optimist Club with their Annual Christmas tree sale by helping to unload and set up 600 trees delivered that
- November 22nd and 23rd – Military Appreciation Weekend as we host Bozeman (Friday) and Butte (Saturday) and recognize those who have served our country.
- November 22nd – Great Falls Figure Skating Club Exhibition from 5:15-6:15 Come out to our game early and cheer on the local figure skaters as they perform their routines for the first time.
- November 23rd – Presentation of donation to “Think Pink For the Girls”!
- November 29th and 30th – Home versus Sheridan with 7:05 puck drop both nights! Friday night is the return of the Gils Point S Tire and Auto “Tricycle Races” and Saturday night we recognize “Mental Health Awareness”.
- December 1st – Team Christmas Party hosted by the Booster Club!
- December 6th – Road game versus Bozeman at 7:30 Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- December 7th – Road game versus Helena at 7:05 Official Watch Party at Buffalo Wild Wings.
- December 14-16 – NA3HL Showcase in Blaine, Game times and opponents TBD.
- December 28th – The Americans will practice at the Havre Ice Dome and then conduct clinics with their youth teams.
- December 31st – Home game versus the Butte Irish – 6:05 PM Puck Drop!
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 (* new this season)
| 3D International Restaurant and Lounge | All-State Signs | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Comparion Insurance-Todd Neighbor | Automotive Machine | Beacon Ice House |
| Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation | Benski Towing & Recovery | Big Sky Harley Davidson* |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Big Sky Laboratory | Bravera Bank |
| Hoglund’s | Cascade Electric | Central Avenue Meats |
| Hotel Arvon-Celtic Cowboy | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Life in Bloom Floral & Gift Boutique | Coca-Cola* | Craftmaster Cabinets |
| Montana Air National Guard* | Culligan Water | Ferrin’s Furniture |
| She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique | Great Falls Hospital | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Stifel |Finnicum Financial Group | Highwood Creek Outfitters | Jersey Mike’s |
| Tilleraas Landscape & Nursery | Johnson Distributing | Karma Coffee* |
| Murphy Law | Open Door Wellness* | Play It Again Sports |
| Purvis Chiropractic* | Scheels | STARadio |
| Stockman Bank | TDS Fiber* | Teriyaki Madness |
| Traynor Capital | Visit Great Falls* | Westgate Repair Inc* |
| Mountain Title Company* | Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory* |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com