The Green Bay Gamblers couldn’t escape a Halloween weekend scare, dropping back-to-back games against the Sioux Falls Stampede at the Resch Center.

Green Bay fell 4-2 Friday night before suffering another close 4-3 loss Saturday, despite third-period comeback efforts in both contests.

Friday’s matchup saw Sioux Falls jump out to a 2-0 lead through the first two periods. The Gamblers responded just 19 seconds into the third when Knutson scored his second goal of the season, assisted by Conboy and Lock.

Green Bay completed the comeback with 4:25 remaining when Pietila scored on the power play, tying the game at two. Goaltender Joey Slavick and Bourne picked up assists on the goal.

However, Sioux Falls regained the lead just 1:25 later when Sung found the back of the net. Macrina added an empty-net goal in the final minute to secure the 4-2 victory.

The Stampede outshot Green Bay 38-19, with Slavick recording 34 saves.

Saturday’s Halloween matchup brought another battle between the two teams.

Sioux Falls opened the scoring midway through the first period on Davis’ fourth goal of the season, but Green Bay answered with a shorthanded goal from Knutson with just 1:07 remaining in the period.

The goal marked Knutson’s third of the season and second of the weekend.

Sioux Falls took control in the second period, scoring twice to build a 3-1 advantage heading into the final 20 minutes.

Green Bay once again battled back in the third, with Lock scoring his fourth goal of the season just 3:46 into the period to cut the deficit to one.

The Stampede responded with a goal from Major at the 8:20 mark, extending their lead to 4-2.

Pajor gave the Gamblers one final chance, scoring his third goal of the season with 2:52 remaining, assisted by Lock. However, Green Bay couldn’t find the equalizer, falling 4-3.

Sioux Falls outshot the Gamblers 41-35 on Saturday, with Green Bay goaltender Novotny making 37 saves.

The Gamblers went 0-for-4 on the power play Saturday after converting one of five opportunities Friday. Sioux Falls finished the weekend 1-for-6 with the man advantage.

The weekend sweep dropped Green Bay to 3-9 on the season, extending the Gamblers’ losing streak to three games.

Despite scoring five goals across the two contests, Green Bay struggled to contain the Stampede offensively, allowing 79 shots on goal over the weekend.

The Gamblers will look to turn things around after a Halloween weekend that ended with more tricks than treats.