Gamblers Sweep Riders
Published on November 10, 2009 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Green Bay Gamblers News Release
The Green Bay Gamblers swept their two-game home and home series this past weekend with USHL Eastern Division foe Cedar Rapids. After an impressive 5-1 win over the RoughRiders in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on Friday night, the venue shifted to the Brown County Arena the following night, with the Gamblers prevailing 6-3.
The two wins over the weekend catapulted the Gamblers to the top of the USHL Eastern Division standings (7-3-2).
Green Bay rookie forwards Will Kessel and Travis Lynch each tallied a pair of goals and goaltender Steve Summerhays made 30 saves to lead the Gamblers to a 5-1 win over Cedar Rapids on Friday night at the Stable in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Leading 1-0 the Gamblers exploded for three second period goals. Sam Alfieri made it a 2-0 affair (3:04), followed by a pair of goals by Kessel (4:35 & 10:38). Lynch scored his second goal of the game early in the third (2:33) to build the Gamblers lead to 5-0. Summerhays's bid for his third consecutive shutout was spoiled on a late RoughRiders power play goal (17:35).
On Saturday night the Gamblers returned to the place where it all began for the organization, the Brown County Arena. Three third period goals broke a 3-3 tie, and the Gamblers completed the two-game sweep over the RoughRiders with a 6-3 win. The Gamblers erased three one-goal deficits, eventually tying the game 3-3 heading into the third period. Green Bay grabbed their first lead of the hockey game when rookie forward Robert Francis scored on a wrap around (7:27). Brett Chartier scored on the power play, his second of the game to build the lead to 5-3 (14:05) and team captain Patrick McCadden rounded out the scoring minutes later (17:34). The Gamblers out-shot the RoughRiders 18-3 in the final period and 38-15 in the game. Summerhays improved to 6-0-1 on the regular season, turning aside 12-shots in the win.
GAMBLER NEWS
GAMBLER TRIO BRINGS HOME THE GOLD
The United States Junior Select Team captured its second straight World Junior "A" Challenge championship with a 2-1 win over Canada West on Sunday night at Credit Union Place in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island. Team USA finished the tournament with a 4-0-1-0 record.
Â
The Gamblers were well represented, as forward Chris Crane and defensemen Kevin Albers and Nick Jensen return to Green Bay with a gold medal.
"The team showed some great resiliency, not only tonight, but for the entire tournament," said Mark Carlson, head coach of the 2009 U.S. Junior Select Team. "They continued to fight when trailing tonight and the coaching staff is extremely proud of their effort. It's a great feeling winning the championship for the second straight year."
Twenty-one of the 22 players on the U.S. roster compete in the United States Hockey League, the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league.
The World Junior "A" Challenge was in its fourth year and the U.S. was competing in the tournament for the third consecutive year. The U.S. also won the championship in 2008 and garnered a third-place finish in 2007.
SUMMERHAYS STAYS HOT
With his two wins over the weekend, Green Bay goaltender Steve Summerhays improved to 6-0-1 on the season. The Anchorage, Alaska native was less than 3-minutes away from recording his third consecutive shutout on Friday night. The late Cedar Rapids goal ended Summerhays's scoreless streak at 237 minutes. On the year, Summerhays has posted 1.87 goals against average to accompany a .916 save percentage.
CELEBRITY WAITER DINNER
The Green Bay Gamblers organization and local celebrities will be teaming up to raise money for the Center for Childhood Safety at Marco's Seafood Club on Tuesday, November 10 and again on Tuesday, November 17.
On November 10, the Wild Aces, "Ace" the team mascot and local celebrities will be waiting tables at Marco's from 5:00 - 9:00 PM. One lucky patron will win two tickets (2nd row End Zone) to the Green Bay Packers versus the Baltimore Ravens game at Lambeau Field on December 7.
The following Tuesday (11/17) it's the players turn, as members of the 2009-10 Gamblers team will be the waiters at Marco's from 6:00 - 9:00 PM
All tips collected from the two events will be donated to the Center for Childhood Safety.
Marco's Seafood Club is located at 1330 Marine in Green Bay. Along with their outstanding menu, Marco's will also offer a discounted menu.
For more information on this program contact the Gamblers front office at 405-1237.
*Please note the players will not be attending the Celebrity Waiter Dinner on November 10
BUS TRIP TO CHICAGO
The Gamblers Fan Club is planning a bus trip to Chicago for the Gamblers versus the Chicago Steel on Saturday, November 28. Cost of the bus trip is $35.00 for fan club members and $50.00 for non-members. Cost includes your game ticket and beverages. For more information on the bus trip or to join the Gamblers Fan Club call Jessica in the Gamblers front office at 405-1265.
LADIES NIGHT PRESENTED BY SELECT 55
Is you husband or that special someone at Deer Camp? If the answer is "Yes", than head on down to Resch Center on Friday, November 20 for Ladies Night with the Green Bay Gamblers. Along with booth displays that cater to the females and prize giveaways, there is also a beer special as 12 oz cans of Select 55 are $2.50 or a bucket of 5 for $10. Face off is set for 7:05 PM. For tickets call the Resch Center box office at 494-3401 or go online to www.gamblershockey.com
A PAIR AND A SPARE
Saturday, November 21 is the Gamblers 1st Annual A Pair and A Spare Hockey game. On this special evening, fans are encouraged to bring a new pair of socks, underwear or T-shirts to the game. Those who bring one of the aforementioned items will be entered to win a Gamblers signed jersey and a luxury suite to a Gamblers game. All items collected will be donated to A Pair and A Spare - A charity that gives these items to people in need. The game is also a Festival Foods Family Night - $1.00 hot dogs, $1.00 soda, children 14 and under can get an 11 ticket for $6.00 and there will be a Skate with the Gamblers following the game. Game time between the Gamblers and Lincoln Stars is set for 7:35 PM. For tickets call the Resch Center box office at 494-3401 or go online to www.gamblershockey.com
LPH/USHL Players of the Week:
Offensive Player of the Week -
Matt White - Omaha Lancers
White allied two goals, including the game-winner, plus added three assists for a five-point night in Friday's 7-4 victory over Waterloo. White dished out one assist in Saturday's 4-3 shootout victory against Sioux City, and then extended his League-leading point streak to eight games with a three-point game (1g, 2a) in Sunday's 6-0 win vs. Indiana.
Defensive Player of the Week -
Zach Palmquist - Waterloo Black Hawks
Palmquist recorded four points (2g, 2a) and plus-two rating as the Black Hawks earned a split in two games during the weekend. Palmquist scored two goals in Friday's 7-4 loss to Omaha. The 18-year-old defenseman then earned assists on the first two goals of the game in Saturday's 7-0 victory against Lincoln.
Goaltender of the Week -
Steven Racine - Waterloo Black Hawks
The 18-year-old Racine his debut for the club stopping 18 shots in a relief appearance as the Black Hawks lost 7-4 to Omaha. The following night, Racine collected his first USHL win by stopping all 28 shots against his former club as Waterloo shutout the Lincoln Stars 7-0. In addition to his shutout, the net-minder also dished out two assists in the victory.
USHL REPORT
U.S. JUNIOR SELECT TEAM DEFENDS TITLE
Eamonn McDermott (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Fargo Force) tallied a goal and an assist as the U.S. Junior Select Team captured its second straight World Junior A Challenge championship with a 2-1 win over Canada West here tonight at Credit Union Place. Team USA finished the tournament with a 4-0-1-0 record.
"The team showed some great resiliency, not only tonight, but for the entire tournament," said Mark Carlson, head coach of the 2009 U.S. Junior Select Team. "They continued to fight when trailing tonight and the coaching staff is extremely proud of their effort. It's a great feeling winning the championship for the second straight year."
After a scoreless opening period, Kellen Jones netted a power-play goal at 10:01 of the second period to give Canada West a 1-0 lead.
The U.S. tied the game with McDermott's power-play marker at 16:07 of the middle frame. Shane Berschbach (Clawson, Mich./Indiana Ice) passed to David Gerths (Ankeny, Iowa/Lincoln Stars) in the slot, who fired the puck on net. McDermott slid down from his defensive spot and knocked the rebound past Canadian West goaltender Sean Bonar.
In the final stanza, Matt Leitner (Los Alamitos, Calif./Fargo Force) scored the game-winning goal 50 seconds into the period. After collecting a Nick Mattson (Chanhassen, Minn./Indiana Ice) pass, McDermott passed to Leitner up the left wing. He beat a defenseman and fired the puck through Bonar's five hole while falling to the ice.
U.S. netminder Eric Mihalik (Avon Lake, Ohio/Des Moines Buccaneers) turned aside 28 shots in the championship-winning effort.
NOTES: Eamonn McDermott was named U.S. Player of the Game ... Mac Bennett (Warrick, R.I./Cedar Rapids RoughRiders) and Shane Berschbach, who finished third among all skaters with eight points (5-3), were named to the all-tournament team ... Eric Mihalik led all netminders with a .940 save percentage and 1.50 goals-against average .... Twenty-one of the 22 players compete in the United States Hockey League, the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league ... The World Junior A Challenge was in its fourth year and the U.S. was competing in the tournament for the third consecutive year. The U.S. also won the championship in 2008 and garnered a third-place finish in 2007.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 10, 2009
- Trio Of West Division Rivals Awaits Lancers - Omaha Lancers
- Countdown To Puck Drop: Phantoms Vs. Green Bay - Youngstown Phantoms
- USHL Update - Week Six - USHL
- Gamblers Sweep Riders - Green Bay Gamblers
- Ice Games This Weekend - Indiana Ice
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Suddenly, No Place Like Home - Youngstown Phantoms
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
