Gamblers Weekly
November 3, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Green Bay Gamblers News Release
GAMBLERS SWEEP LUMBERJACKS
The Green Bay Gamblers won a pair of road games this past weekend over the Muskegon Lumberjacks. The Gamblers exploded for 10 goals in the two wins (4-2 & 6-2). With the two-game sweep the Gamblers improved to 5-4-1 on the 2015-16 campaign.
Four different Gamblers found the back of the net and goaltender Adam Huska made 28 saves to lead the Gamblers to a 4-2 win over the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Friday. Defenseman Andrew Peeke opened the scoring at the 8:04 mark of the first period. Forwards Brent Gruber (7:53) and Sam Saliba each tallied power play goals in the second period to give the Gamblers a 3-1 lead. Muskegon made it a one-goal affair midway through the third, but an empty-goal by Connor Murphy (19:59) sealed the victory. Huska, who has posted a win in each of his last four starts, made 28 saves. The Gamblers finished the game 2-for-5 on the power play and 4-for-5 on the penalty kill.
The Gamblers completed the weekend sweep on Saturday with a 6-2 win over Muskegon. Forward Ryan Smith was the offensive catalyst notching a pair of goals and an assist. Green Bay got on the board at the 2:02 mark of the first period as Gruber tallied the team's first short-handed goal of the season. The Gamblers upped the lead to 3-0 on goals by Jack Poehling (13:44/1st period) and Jared Spooner (15:21/2nd period). Muskegon answered back with two unanswered goals to make it a one-goal game early in the third period. Green Bay responded as Murphy (6:19) and Smith (6:29) tallied goals 10 seconds apart. Smith notched his second goal of the game at the 11:21 mark to round out the scoring. Kevin Reich made 35 saves for his first win on the campaign. The Gamblers penalty kill continued to be effective going 5-for-5.
HUSKA STAYS HOT
In his last four starts Gamblers goaltender Adam Huska is 4-0-0 to accompany a 1.50 goals against average and a .959 save percentage. The New York Rangers draft choice made 35 saves on Friday to lead the Gamblers to a 4-2 win over the Muskegon Lumberjacks. On the season, Huska is 3-2-0, 2.18 goals against average and a .926 save percentage.
PENALTY KILL
In their last six games the Gamblers penalty kill has allowed just one goal on 29 opportunities (95.5%). During that stretch the team is 5-1-0. On the season the Gamblers penalty kill ranks fifth in the USHL (85.7%).
LEAGUE LEADERS
Goaltender Adam Huska ranks fifth in the league in goals against average (2.18) and fourth in save percentage (.926). Defenseman Andrew Peeke is seventh among USHL defenseman in scoring with seven points (2g & 5a).
FUTURES WATCH
Rourke Russell, who is on the Gamblers 1998 Affiliate List, was named the NAHL South Division Star for the week of October 26. Russell, who is a member of the Wichita Falls Wildcats, tallied a pair of goals in the Wildcats two wins. On the season, Russell has appeared in 13 games, tallying two goals, four assists and +8 plus/minus rating. The Miami of Ohio recruit played in a pair of games last season for the Gamblers.
COLLEGE COMMITMENTS
The 2015-2016 Green Bay Gamblers roster features 15 players who are committed to NCAA Division 1 institutions. The list is as follows: Matt Berkovitz (Wisconsin), Ryan Blankemeier (Dartmouth), Grant Frederic (Miami of Ohio), Chris Grando (Boston College), Brett Gruber (Arizona State), Cam Lee (Providence), John Leonard (UMASS), Connor Murphy (Michigan), Gordi Myer (Ohio State), Marc Michaelis (Minnesota State), Andrew Peeke (Notre Dame), Jack Poehling (St. Cloud State), Nick Poehling (St. Cloud State), Sam Saliba (Michigan State) and Jared Spooner (Minnesota State).
MILITARY NIGHT SET FOR NOVEMBER 14
The Green Bay Gamblers 4th Annual Military Night is set for Saturday, November 14. Each year the team has worn a military inspired jersey and in 2014 introduced a special edition helmet. The 2014 Military Night raised $20,000 for the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans.
The Gamblers will again be wearing a military inspired helmet and jersey. Each jersey features an armed forces division on the back name plate. Helmets and jerseys will be auctioned off immediately following the game. Along with the Gambler players, Packers offensive linemen Bryan Bulaga, TJ Lang and Josh Sitton each signed a jersey.
Tickets are available by visiting www.gamblershockey.com or by calling the Resch Center box office at 1-800-895-0071. Game time is 7:05 PM at the Resch Center.
GOALS FOR THE MILITARY
For each goal the Green Bay Gamblers score on Military Night (11/14), head coach Pat Mikesch will donate $100 to the local chapter of Disabled American Veterans. We are also asking local businesses and individuals to contribute $100 for each Gamblers goal scored. By taking part in what we are calling "Goals for the Military" you will receive a special edition military helmet signed by the entire team. If you are interested in participating please contact Jason Habeck at 920-405-1130.
PUCK WALL
Give your name a permanent place on the Tundraland Concourse at the Resch Center by purchasing a puck on the Tundraland Puck Wall. Honor family members and friends, or celebrate a special event or memory in a unique and lasting way. Pucks will become a permanent part of the Tundraland Puck Wall located outside Section 218 on the Tundraland Concourse. Proceeds from the puck wall to benefit youth hockey in Northeast Wisconsin.
GAMBLERS ON THE AIR
The Gamblers are in Youngstown, Ohio this Friday and Sunday and you can see all the action at Anduzzi's Sports Club on Holmgren Way. Face-off between the Gamblers and Phantoms is set for 6:05 PM on Friday and 4:05 PM on Sunday. All Gambler road games are televised at Anduzzi's Sports Club on Holmgren Way.
GAMBLERS TAKE PART IN FALL FEST
The Green Bay Gamblers took part in the 8th Annual Fall Fest this past Wednesday. The event took place at the Meadows Conference Center in Green Bay. The event provides children with physical and cognitive disabilities the opportunity to engage in fall festivities. More than 100 kids took part in the event.
OSIECKI TO COACH THE UNITED STATES AT DEUTSCHLAND CUP
Mark Osiecki (Burnsville, Minn.), associate coach of the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs, will serve as head coach of the 2015 U.S. Men's Select Team that will compete at the 2015 Deutschland Cup from Nov. 6-8 in Augsburg.
Currently in his third season with the IceHogs, Osiecki has served behind the bench for multiple U.S. national and select teams. Most recently, he led the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship. He also was a three-time assistant coach for the team, helping lead the U.S. to gold medals in 2010 and 2013 and a bronze medal in 2011.
In 2000, he was head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that placed second at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, and was an assistant coach for the team that finished second at the tournament in 1999. He also led the U.S. Junior Select Team to a first-place finish at the 1999 Freedom Challenge. Additionally, Osiecki served as video coordinator for the 2006 U.S. Men's National Team at the IIHF Men's World Championship.
Osiecki spent 2010-13 as head coach of the Ohio State University men's ice hockey team. Prior to his time with the Buckeyes, he served as an assistant coach for the University of Wisconsin men's ice hockey team from 2004-10, helping the team to the 2006 NCAA national title and 2010 NCAA national championship game.
From 1997-2004, he was general manager and head coach of the United States Hockey League's Green Bay Gamblers, where he led the team to four straight division titles (1999-2002) and the Clark Cup in 2000. He was USHL Coach of the Year in 1999.
The former University of Wisconsin defenseman (1987-90) served as an alternate captain for the 1990 NCAA national championship team. He played two seasons in the NHL (1991-93) with the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota North Stars. He also competed for the U.S. at the 1992 IIHF Men's World Championship in Prague, Czech Republic.
BURISH AND STAPLETON NAMED TO U.S. DEUTSCHLAND CUP TEAM
Former Gamblers Adam Burish and Tim Stapleton have been named to the 2015 United States Select Team that will compete at the Deutschland Cup. The tournament takes place November 6-8 in Augsburg, Germany and includes national teams from Germany, Slovakia, Switzerland and the United States. The U.S. team is led by former Gamblers head coach Mark Osiecki (1997-04). Burish, who won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Black Hawks in 2010, plays in the Swedish Professional league with the Vaxjo Lakers. Burish spent one season with the Gamblers (01-02) before playing his collegiate hockey at the University of Wisconsin. Stapleton, who appeared in over 100 NHL games with Toronto, Atlanta and Winnipeg, plays in the Swiss Elite League for Biel. Stapleton spent two seasons in Green Bay (00-02) before moving onto Minnesota-Duluth.
SISLO OFF TO RED HOT START
Former Gambler Mike Sislo (2005-07) is off to a hot start for the Albany Devils of the American Hockey League. In nine games with the New Jersey Devils top farm team, Sislo is tops in scoring with nine points (6g & 3a). Since turning pro in 2011, Sislo has appeared in 24 NHL games all with New Jersey. Enclosed is a link featuring Sislo's highlights from the past week.
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United States Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2015
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly Preview - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Chicago Steel to Host Military Appreciation Night Friday - Chicago Steel
- Lumberjacks Welcome Laine McKay - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Gamblers Weekly - Green Bay Gamblers
- Storm G Jake Kielly Commits to Clarkson - Tri-City Storm
- U.S. Roster Announced for 2015 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament - U.S. National Team
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