This past weekend the Green Bay Gamblers took on the Sioux City Musketeers in two preseason games. The Gamblers dropped the first game of the weekend 4 – 1 but bounced back with a big 6 – 1 victory on Saturday in game two.
In the Friday night tilt, the Gamblers got out to an early lead thanks to a power-play goal from forward Jake Schmaltz. Unfortunately, that would end up being the Gamblers only tally of the game. Just 70 seconds later the Musketeers answered. From there, Sioux City never looked back scoring two more in the first and adding a power-play goal late in the third. Nicholas Grabko started in net for the Gamblers allowing 3 goals on 21 shots. Gavin Enright entered the game in the second period allowing 1 goal on 17 shots. It was a physical game from start to finish with each team amassing 48 penalty minutes.
Game two on Saturday again saw the Gamblers take an early lead with a power-play goal from returning Gamblers forward Ryan O’Reilly. This time however it was the Gamblers who would answer. Just 26 seconds after his first tally, O’Reilly found the back of the net for a second time. Tyler Paquette would tack on another for the Gamblers in the first. Sioux City would get on the board late in the first, but that goal was quickly answered as Ryan O’Reilly secured his first-period hat trick. Hillebrand, Webster, Posa, and Paquette each added an assist in the first period as well.
The Gamblers would add another goal in the second from Dalton Wright and a final goal in the third from Benito Posa. Securing the 6 – 1 Gambler victory. Enright started between the pipes for the Gamblers and made 14 saves. He was relieved by Josh Langford who stopped all 3 shots that he faced. It was yet another physical game that saw two fighting majors and a double minor from both teams. The game featured 146 penalty minutes.
The Gamblers will be back at it this weekend as they take on the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Friday and Saturday. Friday night’s game is in Fond du Lac and on Saturday they hit road to Dubuque.
Proceeds from ticket sales for the game in Fond du Lac will benefit Fond du Lac youth hockey. You can purchase tickets online at http://ow.ly/b8wa50w2Vkv or at the door. Fond du Lac Blue Line Family Ice Center is located at 550 Fond du Lac Ave, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. See you there!
