Green Bay Gamblers Weekly
January 19, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Green Bay Gamblers News Release
Gamblers Win 5th Straight, Continue Dominance Over Steel
The Green Bay Gamblers defeated the Chicago Steel 5-3 Friday night at the Resch Center. The Gamblers finish off Chicago to win the team's 14th straight game over the Steel. The last time the Steel defeated the Gamblers was April 3, 2009 at the Resch Center 4-3.
Andy Welinski scored a pair of goals in the first period. The Minnesota-Duluth recruit is the leading defenseman in the USHL in points scored (10 goals, 10 assists). Welinski's first goal came from an assist by forward Grigory Dikushin. The Defenseman scored his second goal by a slap shot on a powerplay to give the Gamblers a 3-1 lead going into the second period.
Kyle Novak and Peter Maric also scored goals for the Gamblers. Maric scored his 3rd goal of the season in the first period. Novak's 12th goal of the season put the Gamblers up 4-1 in the second period. Nicholas Schilkey scored the last goal to seal the win for the Gamblers 5-3 in the third period.
The Green Bay Gamblers defeated the Muskegon Lumberjacks 6-4 on Saturday night at the L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan to win the team's fifth straight.
Nolan LaPorte and Alex Kile both scored for the Gamblers in the first period to give the team a 2-1 lead going into the first break. The Gamblers scored 4 unanswered goals after the Lumberjacks took the lead in the second period.
Matt Wies, Sam Herr and Andy Welinski all notch goals for the Gamblers. For Welinski, the goal finished off a 3 goal weekend and it marked the defensman's 11 goal of the season which is the best in the USHL.
Alex Kile scored his second goal of the contest to put the game out of reach for the Lumberjacks. The Michigan recruit also added an assist to complete a 3 point night.
Mike Rotolo earned a pair of victories. Rotolo improves to 8-1 on the season and has recorded wins in his last 5 starts.
Team News...
Derek Lalonde to Coach Next Week in Top Prospects Game...
The United States Hockey League announced Head Coach Derek Lalonde will be one of the coaches who will lead the 40 USHL players during the 2012 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game presented by CCM. The game is scheduled for Tuesday, January 24th, 2012 at the L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan. Lalonde is in his first USHL season and has led the Green Bay Gamblers to best overall record in the League at 26-5-1 (53 points). Green Bay is the highest scoring USHL team averaging 4.50 goals per contest while they also give up the fewest in the League at 2.34 per game. Four Gamblers are currently among the top ten in USHL scoring while the team also boasts the top three scoring defensemen in the League. Lalonde spent the previous nine seasons coaching at the NCAA Division 1 level. He was on the staff at the University of Denver for five years prior to coming to the USHL and helped the team four consecutive berths in the NCAA tournament.
Double Header Weekend at the Resch Center...
The Green Bay Gamblers and Notre Dame Academy will be teaming up for a hockey double-header the weekend of January 20-21. Fans will have the opportunity to see some of the best young players in the country as well as in the state of Wisconsin. The Gamblers are currently in first place (26-5-1) in the USHL and Notre Dame is ranked #1 in the state of Wisconsin.
On Friday, January 20, the Gamblers will take to the ice against TeamUSAat 7:05 PM followed by Notre Dame versus Superior High School at 9:30 PM. Ticket prices are $17, $15, $13 and $9 and are good for both games. Those only wanting to attend the Notre DameAcademy versus Superior game can purchase a $5.00 ticket at the Resch Center box office beginning at 8:30 PM on Friday. Notre Dame athletic pass holders, senior citizens (65 and older) and children (12 and younger) get free admission after 8:30 PM.
On Saturday, January 21, Notre Dame will play (opponent TBD) at 5:00 PM followed by the Gamblers versus Team USA at 7:25 PM. Ticket prices are $17, $15, $13 and $9 and are good for both games. Notre Dame athletic pass holders and children (14 and younger) can purchase a ticket for $8.00 ($13.00 section) and is good for both games. Doors at the Resch Center will open at 4:30 PM. Saturday is also a Festival Foods Family Night with $1 hot dogs and $1 soda.
Tickets can be purchased through the Resch Center box office or by going online to ticketstaronline.com For group rates contact Jessica at 920-405-1265 or Cindy at 405-1141.
Gamblers and North Shore Bank Raise Funds for Autism...
The Green Bay Gamblers and North Shore Bank teamed up on Friday January 13th to raise $1,733.00 for the Autism Society of Wisconsin. The money raised was through the North Shore Bank "Dash for Cash" promotion.
Eight lucky adults (18 years of age and older) were pre-selected to "Dash for Cash" during the 1st intermission. The contestants jumped into a pile of money at center ice, and had 20 seconds to stuff their pockets full of dollar bills.
The eight contestants collected $1,733.00, which was matched by North Shore Bank and donated to the Autism Society of Wisconsin, a nonprofit organization committed to providing awareness and support for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Wisconsin.
North Shore Bank also donates $5.00 to the Autism Society of Wisconsin for every goal the Gamblers score at home this season.
Along with their commitment for raising funds for the Autism Society of Wisconsin, North Shore Bank is also the presenting sponsor of the annual Caps for Cancer Toss. Now in its 7th year the Caps for Cancer toss has collected over 17,000 hats. The hats are donated to Heavenly Hats, which is a non-profit group that donates headwear to cancer patients.
Fan Bus Trip Scheduled for January 28th...
The next Gamblers Fan Bus Trip is Saturday, January 28 to Chicago to see the Gamblers take on the Chicago Steel. Cost is $40.00 for Fan Club members, $55.00 for non-members. Children 16 and under are just $25.00. Cost includes transportation via Lamers Bus Lines, game ticket, and complimentary soda and water. To reserve your spot call Tom at 366-4375.
Gamblers Team Up With Red Cross...
The Green Bay Gamblers and the American Red Cross will be having a blood drive on Wednesday, February 1, 2012. The blood drive will run from 2:00 "" 6:00 PM at the Resch Center. Those participating in the blood drive can park in the Blue Lot, located directly across the street from the Resch Center on Armed Forces Drive.
Everyone who gives blood at the Gamblers blood drive, will receive a voucher good for a "Free" ticket to an upcoming game, plus they will be registered to win a Gamblers signed jersey. Gamblers team mascot "Ace" will also be on hand from 4:00 "" 6:00 PM.
Every minute of every day, someone needs blood. That blood can only come from a volunteer donor, a person like you who makes the choice to donate. There is no substitute for your donation.
When you make a blood donation, you join a very select group. Currently only 3 out of every 100 people in America donate blood.
From its beginning, the American Red Cross has formed a community of service, of generous, strong and decent people bound by beliefs beyond themselves. The American Red Cross blood donor embodies this principle. Please join us in our mission to maintain a safe and stable blood supply by making your appointment to donate blood today.
USHL REPORT..
Winter Heat in Fargo...
It has been a huge turnaround for the Fargo Force who currently own a seven-game winning streak, tied for the USHL high this season. Less than two months ago, the team was sitting with a 5-11-3 record, but winning 11 of their last 13 contests has resulted in a climb up the Western Conference standings. During the win streak, they have outscored the opposition 33-10, including a pair of shutouts by Zane Gothberg who has been in net for each of the last nine games. Bryn Chyzyk is riding a four-game goal streak, lighting the lamp five times over the span, including two game-winners. Austin Farley scored a goal in consecutive games to push his point streak to seven games.
Point Collection...
The Indiana Ice are also enjoying a winning streak that has now reached six games. But they have an even longer streak of earning points in that standings as the Ice are 9-0-2 over their last 11 games. Indiana has not lost in regulation since December 4th. Sean Kuraly had his five-game goal streak snapped on Friday, but he dished out an assist to extend his point streak to six games. Goaltender Jon Gillies earned his USHL best 18th win of the season when he made 31 saves in the 4-3 win over TeamUSA on Friday.
All Square...
They are only separated by 60 miles on the map, but Omaha Lancers and Lincoln Stars are even closer during USHL play this season. Both have a total of 20 wins "" each with 10 home and 10 road victories "" and 42 points in the standings as they currently sit tied for first in the Western Conference. The Lancers have won five straight, equaling their season best streak. Two of those victories have come against their rival Lincoln, including a 6-3 win on Saturday that saw the teams combine for seven goals in the third period. Casey Bailey scored two goals to increase his team-leading total to 16 while Max Vallis added a tally one night after recording his second hat trick of the season for the Lancers. Brent Tate is riding a five-game streak (2g, 5a) for Lincoln and goaltender Charles Williams has won his last four starts, including a 32-save shutout on Tuesday night.
Boxscore Fillers...
Lincoln Stars forward Kevin Roy has continued to pace the USHL in scoring, helped by a current five-game point streak in which he has earned multiple points in all five contests. His 27 goals leads the League which is already the most by a Lincoln Stars player since Jason Gregoire netted 37 goals during the 2007-08 season. Austin Farley of the Fargo Force (21 goals) and Indiana Ice forward Daniil Tarasov (20 goals) are the two other USHL players that have hit the 20-goal mark so far this season.
Goals Galore...
The Green Bay Gamblers have a League best win total of 26 which has included five straight victories. They have scored at least five goals in each of those five wins and have lit the lamp a total of 36 times during that stretch. Green Bay leads the USHL with 144 goals this season, averaging 4.50 per game, which is nearly one goal more than the next highest USHL team (Indiana, 3.61). Four Gamblers are among the top ten in USHL scoring while seven players on the roster have scored 10-or-more goals this season.
Double Take...
One day, two games, and four points in the standings "" that was a Saturday's worth of work for Team USA. The Under-18 squad earned a 5-0 win against Des Moines that included a pair of goals by defenseman Jacob Trouba, two days after he was rated the highest USHL skater (#9) on the midterm rankings by NHL Central Scouting. The game also marked the third USHL career shutout for goaltender Jared Rutledge. Down the road, the Under-17 squad collected their fourth consecutive USHL win as six different skaters tallied a goal in the 6-4 win over Youngstown. Tyler Kelleher scored his second goal in as many nights and Michael McCarron added his third tally over his last three games.
In the Groove...
Forward Cody Bradley has found his scoring touch with the Dubuque Fighting Saints as he has netted five goals during his current four-game goal streak. He has scored all six of his goals with the Saints this season over his last six games. Teammate Max Gardiner has also been lighting the lamp frequently, scoring four goals over his last five games after putting up two goals in his previous 16 USHL games.
Positive Effect...
Waterloo Black Hawks defenseman Eddie Wittchow is riding a streak of 10 consecutive games posting an even-or-better plus/minus rating, compiling a plus-11 rating in that span. He is plus-19 through 29 games which is the fifth best overall mark in the USHL this season. The first-year USHL defenseman has finished a game with a minus rating only four times this season.
First Impression...
It has taken long for defenseman Alexander Kuqali to endear himself to his new teammates. After being acquired earlier in the week by the Sioux City Musketeers, he scored a goal in each of their games during the weekend. The two goals in two games with the Musketeers equaled his goal total in 29 previous games with the Indiana Ice.
No Shortage of Shorties...
The Des Moines Buccaneers and Muskegon Lumberjacks combined for three shorthanded goals in the second period alone of their contest on Friday. Anthony Greco led off for the Buccaneers with a shorthanded tally for his 10th goal of the season before John Padulo netted his second shorthanded goal over a span of three games for the Lumberjacks. Gasper Kopitar then answered for Des Moines with the third shortie of the period and his 11th goal of the season.
New Riders...
Two of the newest players for the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are getting into the scoring act for the team as of late. With only 17 games among them in a Riders uniform this season, forwards Dennis Kravchenko and Davey Middleton have combined for eight goals. Kravchenko has scored three goals over his last four games for while Middleton recorded three points (2g, 1a) in Saturday's win vs.Chicago, his third multi-point game over his last five contests.
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...
United States Hockey League Stories from January 19, 2012
- Fighting Saints Force Overtime, Lose 3-2 to Team USA - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Gamblers Team up with Red Cross - Green Bay Gamblers
- Teams Set for 2012 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - USHL
- Green Bay Gamblers Weekly - Green Bay Gamblers
- Max Gardiner Commits to Penn State - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game to be Webcast Free on FASTHockey - Youngstown Phantoms
- Fighting Saints to Face off Against Team USA Tonight - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Omaha Lancers News & Notes - Week 17 - Omaha Lancers
- Phantoms Prep for 3-In-3 on the Road - Youngstown Phantoms
- Lumberjacks Log: McKenzie Takes Charge - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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