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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 92: January 22, 2026
PDF Printable Download: Weekly E-Newsletter with Matt Leaf
Dear Great Falls Americans Enthusiast: I am sure I have said this before and know you have heard it before – but sometimes you have to take a step backwards before you can take two steps forward and that is kind of how we feel after last weekend. The Americans were dealt 5-2 (empty net) and 5-3 losses at Badlands last weekend in a series where they were outworked and outplayed. We must give Badlands a lot of credit for bringing their best both nights as the Americans did not play up to their standard on Friday night and simply could not get over the hump on Saturday. The setback has not changed our expectations for the season – they have simply made it a little more difficult to achieve our goals. The key now is to get back on track this weekend and then take the upcoming weekend break to get 100% healthy for the final ten regular season games and playoffs. The last couple of weeks has certainly taken it toll as the “bug” that is going around has pretty much run its course throughout the squad.
A quick reminder on the resumption of the Bozeman game from December 6th will be played in Great Falls tomorrow at 2:00 PM. The remaining 8:30 of the 3rd period will resume with Bozeman leading 2:1 and the Americans about to go on a 5:00 power play. Fans are welcome to stop in and support the Americans as they try to earn some critical points in the standings – it will be free to the public.
The Americans are also home for a matinee on the 24th, hosting Butte at 3:35 PM followed by the Argos taking on Montana at 7:30 PM. It is another Toyota Night for the Americans, and we will also be making a special presentation of our donation to “Think Pink For the Girls” from our Breast Cancer Awareness weekend back in October during the 1st Intermission. The double-header format is a great way to showcase both teams and we are hoping to have some crossover fans as we both host Montana rivals. A quick note that since our players will be sticking around to watch the Argos play and we encourage our fans to do the same (The Americans’ Beer garden will be open for both games), we will not be greeting fans at our official postgame gathering spot at Old Chicago Pizza + Taproom this Saturday. However, we look forward to seeing you at the rink this weekend.
Player Profile – #19 Keegan Hanson (Fargo, ND) 6’2” 180 lbs. DEF – Shoots Left DOB 03/14/2005
Favorite Team: Colorado Avalanche 
Favorite Player: Cale Makar
Favorite Movie: Miracle
Favorite Actor/Actress: Jake Gyllenhaal
Favorite Food: Spaghetti
Favorite Pre-Game Meal: Peanut Butter Sandwich
If you were animal: Eagle — They fly, eat fish and is our mascot!
Musical Group You Won’t Miss in Concert: Keith Whitley
Pre-Game Hype Music: Rock
One Person to be stuck with on a deserted island: Jase Troyer
Hobbies other than Hockey: Fishing, dirt bikes, working
Three People you would invite to Dinner: Gave Landeskog, Bo Nix, Cale Makar
College/University of Choice: Minot State University
Like Most About Great Falls: It is not a super busy town, and the community/people are great!
How would you define a successful season: Winning the division and bringing the Fraser Cup to Great Falls!
Here are the upcoming dates to add to your calendar:
- January 23rd – Completion of game versus Bozeman 2:00 PM
- January 24th – Home Game versus Butte 3:35 PM Puck Drop as part of a University of Providence Double Header! Toyota Night!
- January 30th-31st – The Americans have a weekend off – enjoy the Montana
- February 6th – Away game at Bozeman 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- February 7th – Home game versus Butte at the Havre Ice Dome. 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location for those who don’t make the trip to Havre.
- February 13th – Home games versus Gillette 7:05 PM Puck drop with special performance by Great Falls Figure Skating Club and Valentine’s Weekend activations.
- February 14th – Home game versus Badlands 7:05 PM Puck drop with Valentine’s Weekend activations.
- February 20th – Away game at Helena 7:05 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- February 21st – Away game at Bozeman 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- February 28th – Home game versus Gillette Special 7:35 PM Puck Drop and featuring the Point S Tire & Auto Tricycle races.
- March 1st – Home game versus Gillette Special 1:05 PM Puck Drop and “Skate with the Americans” after the game!
- March 7th – Away game at Butte 7:30 PM Puck drop and join our fans at Buffalo Wild Wings for our official Watch Party location.
- March 8th – Home game versus Butte 7:05 PM puck Drop. Toyota Fan and Billet Appreciation Night!
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* | Special Olympics of Montana* | TDS Fiber |
| Hoglund’s Work and Western Wear |
Thank you for being a part of our hockey family!
Matt Leaf
Great Falls Americans HC Inc
MattL.GFAmericans@gmail.com