Gamblers Weekly
Published on April 18, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Green Bay Gamblers News Release
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMI-FINALS GAMES 1 AND 2
The Green Bay Gamblers announced their playoff dates for the USHL Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. The Gamblers opponent will be the Youngstown Phantoms. The dates for game 1 and game 2 are as follows:
Game 1 "" Saturday, April 21, 2012 Resch Center 7:05 PM
Game 2 "" Sunday, April 22, 2012 Resch Center 3:05 PM
As far as promotions, game 1 will be a Bud Night ($2.00 Budweiser and Michelob Golden Draft Light) and game 2 will be a Festival Foods Family Day ($1.00 hot dogs, $1.00 soda and children 14 and under receive a $5.00 discount on selected tickets).
There will be no Skate with the Gamblers after Sunday's game (4/22).
Playoff tickets for games 1 and 2 are on sale at the Resch Center box office. Box office hours are 11:00 "" 5:00 PM Monday "" Friday. You can also order tickets online at gamblershockey.com or via phone at 494-3401 or toll free at 1-800-895-0071. For group rates contact Jessica French at 405-1265.
CLARK CUP PLAYOFFS PARTY SET FOR SATURDAY
The Green Bay Gamblers and Budweiser will be hosting a Clark Cup Playoffs Pre-Game Party this Saturday night at Anduzzi's from 4:30 PM "" 7:00 PM. While at Anduzzi's those 21 years of age and older can take part in Budweiser family beer specials. There will also be Gambler and Budweiser prize giveaways and an appearance by the Bud Girls and the Wild Aces. All ages are welcome to attend. Face off on Saturday for game 1 of the Clark Cup playoffs is set for 7:05 at the Resch Center. Anduzzi's is located just south of the Resch Center on Holmgren Way.
GAMBLERS HISTORIC REGULAR SEASON
It is safe to say that the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League have been the most dominant Tier 1 team in a 4 year period accumulating a record of 172-51-17 which is unmatched by any team. The team has also captured 3 Anderson Cup Championships and 1 Clark Cup Championship in that span.
The 2011-2012 campaign marked the 18th year that the Gamblers have called Green Bay home. Under first year head coach Derek Lalonde, the Gamblers have had the best regular season in Tier 1 history finishing with a record of 47-9-4. Along with setting the USHL Tier 1 record for wins (47), points (98), least amount of losses (9) and road wins (25) in a single season the 2011-12 Gamblers also set Tier 1 records for goals scored (250) and goal differential (+112). Furthermore, for a third straight year the
Gamblers led the league in goals against allowing a league low 138.
It is also worth noting, head coach Derek Lalonde also surpassed former Gamblers head coach Eric Rud (41) for most regular season wins (47) in USHL history by a first year head coach.
The support off the ice has equaled the team's success on the ice. Overall the Gamblers welcomed 110,770 fans to the Resch Center. This past season marked the 4th year in a row with over 100,000 fans. Additionally, average attendance has grown each of the last 4 years to 3,692 per game which is 1,037 per game more than 2007-08.
END OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
The Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League (USHL) passed out their year end awards at the team's banquet. These players were presented with the following awards:
Most Valuable Player - Alex Broadhurst and Nolan LaPorte
Best Offensive Player - Alex Broadhurst
Best Defensive Player - Andy Welinski
Unsung Hero Award - Grant Arnold and C.J. Eick
Community Service Award- Kyle Novak, Peter Maric, Kyle Chatham and Brandon Kirk
At the end of the 2011-12 regular season, Broadhurst led the team in points scored (73) tallying 26 goals and 46 assists.
LaPorte brought his rugged style back to Green Bay for a second tour with the Gamblers. This past regular season Nolan LaPorte led the team in goals scored (36) in 57 games and a plus 35 plus/minus rating. LaPorte also led the league with 16 powerplay goals.
Welinski is touted as one of the top defenseman in the USHL this season. The Duluth, MN native appeared in 54 games in 2011-12, scoring a league-high 15 goals for a defenseman. Welinski was also a part of a defensive core that allowed the least amount of goals for a second consecutive season.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
The Detroit line of Alex Kile, Sheldon Dries and Nicholas Schilkey combined for 108 points this season as a second line for the Green Bay Gamblers. Although overshadowed by a franchise record breaking season by the "Chicago Line" (Sam Herr, Nolan LaPorte and Alex Broadhurst), it is worth noting that Kile, Schilkey and Dries combined scored 32 more points then Herr, LaPorte and Broadhurst did in 2010-11 at the end of their first season. If history repeats itself and all three players return on the same line, Kile, Schilkey and Dries could be the next great line in Gamblers franchise history.
SHELDON DRIES- WESTERN MICHIGAN RECRUIT
Sheldon Dries is another skilled forward led his line with 19 goals and 19 assists this season. The center also led the team in penalty minutes (126). Dries got a small taste of the USHL last year appearing in three games with the Gamblers during the 2010-11 campaign. The Western Michigan recruit spent the majority of the season lighting it up offensively for Belle Tire U-18. In 36 games, Dries produced 23 goals and 15 assists. Internationally, Dries was a member of the United States Under-17 team that won the Five Nations Tournament in Hutwill, Switzerland in 2010. Joining Dries on the team with Gamblers teammate Nicholas Schilkey. By committing to Western Michigan, Dries will follow in the footsteps of his father Todd, who suited up for the Broncos during the 1986-87 season.
NICHOLAS SCHILKEY- OHIO STATE RECRUIT
Schilkey was solid during the 2011-12 regular season posting 16 goals and 20 assists. Schilkey's plus 23 plus/minus rating also led his linemates. Prior to this season, Schilkey arrived in Green Bay fresh off representing the United States this past summer in Europe at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament. Schilkey also saw action at the international level in 2010 at the Five Nations Tournament in Hutwill, Switzerland. At the Five Nations, Schilkey tallied four goals against Germany to clinch the gold medal for the red, white and blue. Back in the states, Schilkey played a key role in leading his Honeybaked Midget Major team to the 2011 Michigan Amateur Hockey Association State Championship. With Honeybaked, the Ohio State recruit tallied a team high 20 goals and 29 assist in 39 games.
ALEX KILE- MICHIGAN RECRUIT
Committee to the University of Michigan, Kile came to the Gamblers via the Honeybaked Midget Major program. Kile along with Gamblers teammate Nicholas Schilkey led Honeybaked to the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association State Championship. With Honeybaked, Kile compiled a statistical line of 21 goals and 28 assists in 40 games. The Troy, Michigan native led the line with 5 powerplay goals this past season. In total Kile compiled 17 goals and 17 assists during the 2011-12 regular season. Kile was also a standout during the Top Prospects Game in Muskegon, Michigan. Kile joined teammates Jordan Schmaltz, Dakota Mermis and Nicholas Schilkey in a game that showcased the top NHL draft eligible skaters in the USHL. Kile did not disappoint at the event scoring 2 goals for the East in the victory.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 18, 2012
- Phantoms' Schedule Set for 2nd-Round Series with Green Bay - Youngstown Phantoms
- Gamblers Weekly - Green Bay Gamblers
- USHL Clark Cup Playoffs Second Round Schedule Set - USHL
- Second Round Playoff Schedule Set - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Fighting Saints Announce Conference Semifinal Schedule - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Lancers Announce Second Round Playoff Schedule - Omaha Lancers
- Lumberjacks to Add West Michigan Native - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Fighting Saints Come Marching In For Playoffs - Indiana Ice
- Storm Season Ends in Waterloo Tuesday Night - Tri-City Storm
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.
