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Weekly E-Newsletter (September – March) |
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BALDY’S PUCK DROPBaldy’s Puck Drop” Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Volume 8: October 26, 2023
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast:
It probably sounds like a broken record, but this young Americans team faced another up and down weekend as consistency from night-night continues to haunt them. They had their best “team” effort on Friday evening in Butte coming away with a 5-3 win, but then followed that up with their worst effort on Saturday at home – in front of a nice crowd – as they fell 6-3. Some of the inconsistency can be written off as youth, however now would be a pretty good time to learn that they need to play a full 60 minutes every night to have success in this competitive league as their next four games are against teams ahead of them in the standings. Also, not much of a surprise that their best players over
the weekend were veterans and Captains Sam Duehlmeier and Aaron Leaf as they earned honorable mention player of the week recognition for the Fortier Division of the NA3HL. Congrats to both Aaron and Sam.
As you should be aware, we have one game this week at home on Sunday, October 29th, at 2:00 PM versus Bozeman. I am delighted that we have partnered with “Think Pink For the Girls” – a local Breast Cancer Support Group – to create breast cancer awareness and also fundraise to support their efforts. The Americans will donate one dollar for everyone in attendance and that donation will be matched by City Motor Company. The “Think Pink for the Girls” Committee (comprised of Tammy Comer, Joy Ostberg, Kristen Ostberg and Patty Toren) will also be conducting a raffle with your chance to win several nice gift baskets, including from our partners “Life in Bloom” and “She Bare Wax & Sugar Boutique”. Whereas I have been fortunate to not have any women from my immediate family battle breast cancer, there have been several of my closest friends in the officiating world who have battled this terrible disease and have won. I am guessing most of you reading this Newsletter have also been impacted in some way, so this special event for me is just a small way we can contribute to helping others either avoid and/or win their battle against breast cancer. Don’t forget to dress warm, wear pink and let’s be sure to “Pack the IcePlex”, buy some raffle tickets and cheer on the Americans this Sunday.
The Booster Club is at it again. They are starting another raffle that will include a basket with several gift cards from local businesses that will be running in November. Bob and Wendy Dick are hosting the team on Friday night for their annual Halloween party and pumpkin carving contests and the group is already starting to plan for a Thanksgiving get together and a Christmas party for the team. I have said it numerous times before and will say it again, the hardest working Booster Club in America is greatly appreciated and the players are being spoiled – maybe that is one of the reasons they have been as inconsistent as they have been.
We also have a “save the date” to announce. The Booster Club, and everyone who wants to join them, is being hosted by Annie’s Taphouse” on Thursday, November 16th, from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM for their “Raise a Pint” program. Annie’s Taphouse will make a donation to the Boster Club for every pint of their craft beers that is purchased that evening. Look for a reminder in future newsletters and plan on stopping by for a great night of beer and camaraderie.
Finally, look for some additional community involvement in the coming weeks as our players support theUptown Optimist Christmas Tree sales. Our players will help set up the tree stand on November 9th and will follow that up with the Christmas Tree unload on the 16th. Tree tickets are $50.00 per book and good for your tree, wreath, door charms or accessories purchase. Please contact Dena Schoolcraft at bod@rainbowsl.com to secure your tickets.
Player Profile – #14 Luke Pizzey (Black Diamond, WA) 5’8” 155 lbs. Forward – Shoots Right
Favorite Team: Toronto Maple Leafs Favorite Player: William Nylander
Favorite Movie: Superbad Favorite Actor/Actress: Jennifer Aniston
Favorite Food: Pasta Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Pasta
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Nickelback
Song or Artist Guaranteed to get you hyped: Rockstar – Nickelback
One Item you would bring with you to a deserted Island: Fishng Pole
Hobbies other than Hockey: Golf, Fishing
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Joe Rogan, Snoop Dogg, John Daly
College/University of Choice: University of Arizona Like Most About Great Falls: The boys.
How would you define a successful season: Winning the Fraser Cup.
Also, thank you to all our existing Eagle’s Nest, Diamond and Platinum Level partners for their continued support.
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Partner Highlight of the Week
This week, I would like to highlight our partner Craftmaster Cabinets, Inc. They are a 3rd generation family business that uses a mix of modern technology and traditional craftsman skills. They are also no strangers to the hockey world as Brandon Baker played for the Americans in the late 90’s and the family is actively involved in youth hockey.
Brandon stepped up and was a huge help in the design and build for the interior of our new dressing room. They ordered the lumber for the player stalls and pre-cut them so our team would simply have to finish and then put them together. They also designed and created some storage cabinets for both the dressing room and the skill center, including the very unique “shoe caddy” pictured here. One of the team rules
is to take their shoes off each time they enter the dressing room to avoid bringing rocks, sand or dirt onto the rubber flooring that would be detrimental to their skate blades. Some players put sandals on while others may stay in their socks, but either way we needed a practical and efficient way to store the shoes until they are needed to leave the rink at the end of the practice or game. Enter Brandon Baker and his team, who helped design and then build a practical solution to the problem. Craftmaster Cabinets, Inc. guarantees that you will receive high quality craftsmanship and top of the line finishing at competitive prices. They certainly delivered for the Americans and I trust they can meet all of your cabinet needs as well. Just as with all of our local business partners, their support of the Americans contributes to our success and we appreciate your loyalty to all of our partners.
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