Ice lose 6-5
April 12, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Indiana Ice News Release
In a game with more turning points than the road construction on US 31, the Indiana Ice were detoured to a dead end in a 6-5 loss to the Green Bay Gamblers Saturday at Pan Am Pavillion.
The Ice got off to a slow start by spotting the Gamblers a 2-0 lead in the first period. After Patrick Newell scored the first Indy goal of the evening and his third in two nights 1:32 into the second period, the playoff game turned sour for the hosts.
Green Bay regained the two-goal margin after a blocked shot by Indiana's Timothy Shoup in front of the visitor net, ended up on stick of Gambler's leading regular season scorer Nick Schmaltz. Schmaltz buried a wrist shot at 6:39 to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.
The contest turned outright odd starting at 14:10 of the middle frame. Four minor penalties were called in less than a two minute span and the last of which resulted in a Green Bay penalty.
As Indy starting netminder Hayden Stewart streaked to the bench for an extra attacker, a pass to the point missed the target at the blue line and slid down the length of the ice into the vacated Indiana goal. The fluke score gave the Gambler's a 4-1 advantage heading to the final 20-minutes.
Matt Roy started the host's comeback as Indy converted on the power play. His blue line slap shot was assisted by Sam Kurker and Jacob Pritchard 1:55 into the third period.
Kurker cut the deficit to 4-3 after he stationed himself in front of the visitor net and received a scoring pass from Michael Preston. Kurker backhanded a pass from Preston at 11:58. Pritchard was credited with his second assist of the period.
The cause seemed lost when Green Bay scored the next two goals on goals from Matthew Weis and an empty netter from Ryan Lough to leave the Ice trying to dig out of a 6-3 hole 2:12 before the final horn.
Aidan Muir raised some eyebrows when he scored with an extra-attacker at the 18:38 with Kurker and Tyler Pham providing the assists.
Roy scored his second of the final stanza :52 seconds before the final horn with Preston notching his second assist of the period and Kurker credited with his third helper of the frame.
The frustrating night ended as Indiana could not close the 6-5 margin in the remaining clock time. Contributing to the puzzling night was a 44-21 shots on goal advantage.
The action shifts to the Resch Center in Green Bay for games three and four on Thursday (4/17) and Friday (4/18). Game five, if necessary, will be played at Pan Am Pavilion on Monday, April 21 at Pan Am Pavilion.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 12, 2014
- Saints' Comeback Spoiled by Late Cedar Rapids Goal - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Stampede Downed by Hawks in Game 2 - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Hawks Pull Away Again - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Sioux City Squeaks Past Lancers In Overtime, 4-3 - Omaha Lancers
- Edge Hold on for Season's First Win - Bloomington Thunder
- Ice lose 6-5 - Indiana Ice
- Ice Alum Ferlin Inks Deal with NHL's Bruins - Indiana Ice
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