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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 75: September 18, 2025
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: There are several different directions I could go with this Newsletter, but after some careful thought I reminded myself that I can never go wrong with taking the high road. In this case, the high road is acknowledging that Friday night once again proved to us that there are way more things that are important in life than winning a hockey game. On the ice, we took a 2-0 loss and as my old Russian friend Konstantin used to say; “You cannot win the game unless you score the goal”! Off the ice, and partly on the ice, it was an amazing evening as we honored several athletes, staff and volunteers from Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation that share a passion for our sport and an unmatched passion for life.
Izzy, Kevin, Quinn, Scarlett, Marley, Luke and Zail joined us from our Sled Hockey Team. Izzy Goldsmith led our team onto the ice being pushed by our Goalkeeper Kale Witt while Kevin Shaver, Luke Hollenback and Zail Frey put on a little demonstration during the first intermission and participated in a competitive “Shoot the puck for Luck”. The highlight of the night was these athletes being available to sign autographs for our fans during the 2nd intermission while also raising a few funds to help offset their costs. It was a very pleasant surprise when our presenting sponsor for the evening, Northwestern Energy, stepped up with their own $500 donation to the cause with a presentation during the first intermission.
A special thanks goes out to our partners Northwestern Energy and Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation for making this night possible and for (not my words but the words of others) “making these sled hockey athletes feel like rock stars”. For sure, it was a great feeling to be a part of this evening and doing so softened the blow of a loss. However, the true heroes in all of this are the leaders of Eagle Mount, Deb Sivumaki and Joe Stalzer, who work tirelessly day in and day out to create adventures and experiences for these disabled athletes that allow them to enjoy life to the fullest.
Saturday was a fun, exciting and somewhat stressful affair. Our young team got off to a strong start and took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission. But they could not add onto that lead and an always well-coached and hard-working Badlands team had taken a 3-2 lead halfway through the 3rd period. Cooper Clouse evened the score with a power play goal with 8:00 minutes remaining and I can say the rest of the 3rd period and overtime was a pretty wild ride for both teams as they learn to navigate situation hockey. The Americans picked up their first win of the season and the extra Tallen Caron scoring the 2nd goal point with a shootout win as Jase Troyer was the only goal scorer and Cole Murphy stymied all three Badlands’ attempts. It was a good win for this team and one that they can continue to learn from as the results throughout the Frontier Division last week indicate it is going to be a very competitive season.
For those who have followed Baldy’s Puck Drop the last few seasons, you are aware that we do take a lot of pride in certain milestones that are achieved by individuals on our team. Saturday night’s win is no different as it marked the 200th win as the head coach of the Americans 
for Coach Greg Sears as he starts his 8th season at the helm. In typical coach fashion, he did not tell anyone until after the game which does not diminish the accomplishment nor does it outweigh the success Coach Sears has had in molding young men who have gone on to success in hockey and life. Coaching is hard and it takes a special passion to do this for as long as and at the level Greg has done this. I feel fortunate to have Greg and our entire coaching staff as part of our team and now that I know exactly what his win total is, I will be much more prepared when he hits the 300-win milestone.
It is time to hit the road, and I know our players and staff are excited to get on the bus and get out of town for a few hours. The first bus trip is always an experience and it is fun to watch our bus driver, Rex Rigor, lecture the players on how to load the cargo area and bus etiquette. Even though it is a short trip to Helena, it provides a team bonding opportunity that is much needed after a month grinding it out at the Ice Plex.
Our first road game also brings about our first “Official Watch Party” at Buffalo Wild Wings. Puck drop from Helena is 7:05 PM and our watch
party is a great way to view the game and enjoy some great food and drink with other passionate fans. Buffalo Wild Wings does a great job of hosting our fans in a private area with several TV’s showing the game. Save the drive to Helena and join us in Great Falls Friday night.
Saturday is a rare off day for the Americans as our players and staff get a chance to breathe and refresh a bit after a very busy month both on and off the ice. Our next home game is Saturday, September 27th as we host Helena in the first of several Toyota nights.
Player Profile – #7 Bryce Webb (Anchorage, AK) 6’0” 210 lbs. DEF – Shoots Right DOB 03/22/2007
Favorite Team: Vanouver Canucks 
Favorite Player: Radko Gudas
Favorite Movie: Dumb & Dumber
Favorite Actor/Actress: Jim Carrey
Favorite Food: Sandwich
Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Chicken
If you were animal: A Bear – because they are massive!
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Alice in Chains
Music Guaranteed to get you hyped: Rock
Person stuck with on a deserted Island: Luke from Outdoor Boys
Hobbies other than Hockey: Fly FIshing, Hunting
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Steven Pinella, My Dad & My Mom
College/University of Choice: University of Alaska Anchorage
Like Most About Great Falls: The Community.
How would you define a successful season: Winning the Frontier Division!
Here are the upcoming dates to add to your calendar:
- September 19th – First Away game at 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location for all away games this season.
- September 26th – Oktoberfest at Annie’s Taphouse 5:00-10:00 PM on the 100 Block of Central Avenue downtown.
- September 26th – Away game at 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location for all away games this season.
- September 27th – Home game versus Helena presented by Toyota. Puck drop is 7:05
- October 3rd – Away game at 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- October 4th – Away game at 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- October 10th – Oktoberfest at Malmstrom AFB 4:21 PM-8:00
- October 10th – Away game at 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- October 11th – Away game at 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- October 17th – Away game at 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- October 18th – Away game at 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- October 24th and 25th – “Think Pink for the Girls” Breast Cancer Awareness weekend present by Benefis Health.
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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Tammy Quintrell-Stubbs
Gold, Silver and Bronze Level Partners (* new this season)
| All-State Signs | Beacon Ice House | Eagle Mount Therapeutic Recreation* |
| Floors & More Abbey Carpets | Central Avenue Meats | MNoel Photography |
| Havre Youth Hockey | Central MT Lock & Safe | Century Gaming |
| Life in Bloom Floral @ Gift Boutique | Hotel Arvon/Celtic Cowboy | Stifel l Finnicum Financial Group |
| Coca-Cola* | Craftmaster Cabinets | Culligan Water |
| Comparion Insurance | Play It Again Sports | Open Door Wellness |
| Big Sky Laboratory | Cascade Electric | Hampton Inn & Suites |
| Ferrin’s Furniture | Great Falls Hospital | She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique |
| Jersey Mike’s | Karma Coffee | Murphy Law |
| Scheels | Stockman Bank | Traynor Capital |
| Voices of Hope* | Johnson Distributing | Mountain Title Company |
| Fire Pizza* | Montana Rib & Chop House* | Visit Great Falls |
| Croxford Funeral Home and Crematory | Bish’s RV of Great Falls* | StaRadio |
| Benski Towing & Recovery | Westgate Repair, Inc. | Annie’s Taphouse |
| Sip-N-Dip Lounge* |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com