This past weekend the Gamblers went up against Team USA and the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
On Friday, the Gamblers faced off against Team USA. Offense was on full display as the two teams scored 11 combined goals. Jesse Tucker would get things started for the Gamblers by scoring ten minutes into the first period. Dylan Duke of Team USA would even things up about five minutes later. Late in the first, Tyler Paquette would find the back of the net for his 4th goal of the season and give the Gamblers a 2-1 lead heading into the 2nd period.
Team USA tied things up in the second, but Luke Mylymok would score his first goal of the season just 30 seconds later and put the Gamblers back on top. From there the second period was all Team USA. They would close out the period with three unanswered goals and take a 5-3 lead going into the third and final period.
The Gamblers bounced back quickly in the third as Noah Ganske would find the back of the net 58 seconds into the period. Five minutes later McKade Webster would tie up the game with his second goal of the year. With momentum on their side, Jake Schmaltz would score the sixth and game-winning goal for the Gamblers. Gavin Enright was in net for the Gamblers and would record a season-high 42 saves.
On Saturday, the game would end up being a more physical matchup. Chad Hillebrand continued his hot start to the 2019-2020 season and found the back of the net early. That goal would give the Gamblers a 1-0 lead after the first period.
The Lumberjacks came out firing in the second and would take a 2-1 lead heading into the third period with goals coming from AJ Hodges and Alex Konovalov.
The Gamblers trailed the majority of the third until defenseman Mason Lohrei ripped a shot from the point and tied up the game with just 5 minutes left.
In a game that looked destined for overtime, a bouncing puck found the back of the net for Muskegon with just 58 seconds remaining. The Gamblers would make a late rush but were unable to punch it home and fell 3-2 on the road. Continuing with the normal rotation Nicholas Grabko was in net for the Gamblers. He stopped 36 of the 39 shots that he faced.
The Gamblers hit the road again this weekend as they take on Waterloo, Cedar Rapids and Madison. All three games can be watched on https://www.hockeytv.com/#/. The Gamblers are back at the Resch on November 1st, for Bud Night. Then again on November 2nd for Family/Military Night. Puck drops at 7:05 pm against Sioux City both nights.
Get Tickets: GamblersHockey.com/Tickets
