Powerplay Boosts Gamblers to 7-3 Win over Dubuque Friday
December 21, 2012 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, Iowa - For the first time this season, the Dubuque Fighting Saints were defeated when they led after the first period of play. Frankie DiChiara sent Dubuque into the first intermission up 1-0 with his 13th goal of the season, but the Gamblers rattled off five powerplay goals in the game's final 40 minutes to defeat the Fighting Saints 7-3 Friday night at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
Coming into Friday night's game, the Fighting Saints were a perfect 13-0-0 when leading after the first period. The Gamblers erased that, scoring four goals in the second period, including three with the man advantage. Gamblers' defenseman Barret Kaib tied the game at 1-1 at 5:23 of the second period when he snuck in on the back door and redirected a Nicholas Schilkey pass over Dubuque goalie Arthur Brey. Just over two minutes later Kaib would again factor in on the scoring. The defenseman let a slapshot go from the right point that was redirected by Shillkey for the goal at 7:32. Alex Kile, who tallied five points on the night, also assisted the consecutive powerplay goals.
Green Bay added a powerplay goal from Sheldon Dries at 14:24 of the second period to extend the lead to 3-1, and Ryan Siroky capitalized on a Dubuque turnover by Phil Boje at 19:44 and roofed a shot over a started Brey to end the second period 4-1 Green Bay.
Head Coach Jim Montgomery turned to Connor Girard in goal for the third period, and the Gambler's struck for their fourth powerplay goal of the game just 1:20 into the period on a redirection. Kile deflected a Kaib shot past Girard's left pad along the ice to make it 5-1 Green Bay.
The Fighting Saints looked determined to come back, scoring a pair of goals within a minute of play. Peter Quenneville notched in a rebound off a Niklas Nevalainen shot past goalie Michael Rotolo's left pad to make it 5-2 at 5:49. Dubuque struck again at 6:53 when A.J. Fossen onetimed a shot from the right wing past Rotolo to make it 5-3. Mike Szmatula deflected a Phil Boje shot from the point to Fossen on the right wing who blasted into the open net.
Just when Dubuque looked to be mounting a comeback, the Gamblers scored again on the powerplay, as Jordan Gross roofed the Gambler's fifth powerplay goal of the game at 8:07. Kyle Novak passed the puck cross-ice to Gross who wristed a shot top corner over a sprawled Girard. The Gamblers got another goal from Kile at 8:47 to finish the game with a 7-3 score.
The Gamblers were 5-for-8 on the powerplay in the victory, while Dubuque was 1-for-4. The Fighting Saints fell to 21-4-1 with the loss. The Fighting Saints will break for the holidays, allowing players and staff to spend time with their families for Christmas. Dubuque will return home for a contest versus Muskegon on Friday, December 28 at 7:35 p.m. That evening is the Fighting Saints Christmas Gift Exchange. Fighting Saints fans are encourage to bring those unwanted gifts to the rink to swap with fellow fans. Tickets are available by calling 563.583.6880 or by visiting DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
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