Local hockey fans at a reason to cheer Monday night despite not having a Wisconsin team in the NHL, let alone the Stanley Cup.

Led by former Green Bay Gamblers coaches Jon Cooper and Derek Lalonde, the Tampa Bay Lightning won their second Stanley Cup behind a 2-0 victory over the Dallas Stars in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals in Edmonton. 

Cooper is no stranger to winning, leading the Metro Jets, the Green Bay Gamblers, and the Norfolk Admirals to championships in their respective leagues before taking over the reins of the Lightning. Lalonde also won a Clark Cup with the Gamblers during his tenure as the team's head coach. Cooper and Lalonde become the latest Gambler alums to have their names etched on the Stanley Cup, joining Ryan Carter (Anaheim 2007), Adam Burish (Chicago 2010) and Matt Greene (Los Angeles 2012 & 2014).

The Stanley Cup champions of tomorrow open their season Friday November 6th with a final schedule to still be determined. 104.1 WRLU will air all home games this season. 

Photo courtesy of the Green Bay Gamblers

For the third straight game, the Green Bay Packers(3-0) offense started slow and finished fast as they beat the Saints(1-2) 37-30. The Packers were able to move the ball with ease but could only come up with three points in each of their first two possessions. The Saints were able to move the ball as well with running back Alvin Kamara being the star on offense. After going up 13-7, the Packers gave up 10 straight points and were trailing 17-13 at the half. After a 72 yard pass to Allen Lazard on 3rd and 10, Aaron Jones was able to punch it into the endzone on 4th and goal to give Green Bay a 20-17 lead. The Saints were able to come back and kick a field goal to tie the game. The two teams then traded touchdowns and the Packers were facing a crucial 4th and one from mid-field. After getting stuffed on an Aaron Jones run, the momentum seemed to be in the Saints favor. Two plays into the Saints drive, Za’Darius Smith was able to come up with a huge forced fumble to turn the tide. Mason Crosby gave the Packers a 30-27 lead with a 49-yard field goal. After a New Orleans punt, Aaron Rodgers was able to lead the Packers on a game-clinching touchdown drive that ended with a 1-yard touchdown pass to Robert Tonyan with just under two minutes left. Aaron Rodgers finished with 283 yards passing and three touchdowns. Allen Lazard filled Davante Adams’ shoes with six catches for 146 yards and a score. The Saints’ Alvin Kamara finished with 197 total yards and two touchdowns.

The Packers will host the Falcons next Monday at 7:15 p.m.

Entering the last day of the regular season, the Brewers had a chance to clinch a playoff spot with a win. Since the San Francisco Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies lost earlier in the day, the Brewers clinched even though they lost 5-2. The Cardinals jumped out to a big lead when they scored four runs in the third. The Brewers were able to score one run in the fourth off of a Daniel Vogelbach ground out. The Cardinals answered back right away with a Harrison Bader solo home run in the fourth. The Brewers comeback came up short with a Jacob Nottingham single that scored Orlando Arcia in the ninth. For the first time in franchise history, the Brewers are headed to the postseason for the third season in a row. 

The Brewers will now face the one-seeded Dodgers on Wednesday.

With only two games left in the regular season and one game back of a wild card spot, the Brewers got a much needed 3-0 victory. Brandon Woodruff pitched a near-perfect game as he struck out 10 batters, gave up two hits, and allowed zero runs in eight innings of work. The Brewers bats didn’t do much but they did enough to get the win. Ryan Braun started the scoring with a solo home run in the fourth. Daniel Vogelbach would immediately follow up with a solo home run of his own to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead. Omar Narvaez would add on to the lead with a single in the seventh to bring Orlando Arcia home. Josh Hader would close the game for his 13th save of the season. 

The Brewers finish up the regular season against the Cardinals on Sunday at 2:15 p.m.

The Green Bay Packers(2-0) will face their toughest opponent to date as they travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints(1-1). The Packers are coming off another impressive win over a division opponent after beating the Lions 42-21. For the second consecutive week, they were able to rack up 450+ yards and score 40+ points. Aaron Jones was the star of the game as he totaled 236 yards of offense to go with three touchdowns. As for the Saints(1-1), they are coming off a disappointing loss against the Raiders in Las Vegas. The Saints jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead after one and held a 17-7 lead midway through the second quarter. From that point on, the Saints were outscored 27-7. Their defense couldn’t get the Raiders off the field on 3rd down and the offense looked stagnant as they missed star wideout Michael Thomas. Even if Davante Adams and Michael Thomas won’t play, this game will still be a great showdown with Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees leading the way.

Kickoff is set for 7:20 p.m. on Sunday.

The Milwaukee Brewers played two of their final four regular-season games in a doubleheader against the Cardinals. After losing the first game of the five-game series, it was essential that the Brewers at least split the doubleheader to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Brewers were victorious in the first game 3-0. Brent Suter pitched a gem that earned him the win. Suter struck out four batters and only gave up two hits and zero runs in four innings of work. The offense started early with an Eric Sogard single in the second to bring home Daniel Vogelbach. Orlando Arcia would add on to the lead with an RBI fielder’s choice that brought in Keston Hiura. Yelich would add the final run of the game with a solo home run in the third.

The Brewers would end up dropping the second game 9-1. The Cardinals jumped out early when Matt Carpenter drove in Tommy Edman with a single in the first. The Cardinals would add two more runs in the second and exploded for six runs in the fifth. Milwaukee’s only run came in the sixth with a solo home run by Orlando Arcia. Josh Lindblom received the loss for the Brewers as he gave up three runs in 2 ? innings. The Brewers only recorded two hits as a team.

Game four of the series starts at 6:07 p.m. on Saturday.

As Sunday night’s showdown with the New Orleans Saints gets closer, the doubt of Davante Adams being ready to play increases. The Green Bay Packers may be without two of their top players in Davante Adams and Kenny Clark. Adams was sidelined for a good portion of the second half, including the entire 4th quarter, of last week's game against the Lions with a hamstring injury. Adams has not practiced yet this week. As for Kenny Clark, he was limited in practice today after not participating yesterday as he deals with a groin injury. Kenny Clark was unable to play last week. The Saints’ star wideout Michael Thomas has yet to practice as he deals with an ankle injury he sustained in week one. One of the most anticipated matchups of the NFL season to date may take place with key stars on the bench.

The Packers travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints on Sunday at 7:20 p.m.

The Milwaukee Brewers dropped the first game of a five-game series against the Cardinals Thursday night losing 4-2. Corbin Burnes was only able to pitch 3 ? innings and was forced to leave the game with back issues. He received the loss as he struck out five batters and gave up three runs. The first run came off of a Paul Goldschmidt single in the third. The Brewers were able to answer back in the fourth when Tyrone Taylor drove in Jedd Gyorko with a single to tie the game at 1-1. Unfortunately, the Cardinals came back with an answer of their own as Dylan Carlson hit a 2-run home run in the fourth. Carlson would later add onto the 3-1 lead with a double in the sixth to score Dexter Fowler. Brewers’ Eric Sogard drove in Jace Peterson in the ninth but the comeback ended there. With only four games remaining and six teams within two games of each other, the Brewers almost have to be perfect as they are one game back of a wild card spot. 

The Brewers are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Friday. The first game starts at 4:15 p.m. followed by the second game that starts at 7:15 p.m.

After splitting the first two games of the series, the Milwaukee Brewers lost to the Cincinnati Reds in the final game 6-1. The Reds got on the board early with a Joey Votto 2-run home run in the first. Jesse Winker would add on to the Reds lead with a solo home run in the fourth. Milwaukee’s only run came in the fifth when Orlando Arcia drove in Daniel Vogelbach with a double. Eugenio Suarez answered back with a 3-run home run to give the Reds the 6-1 lead. Adrian Houser received the loss for the Brewers as he struck out five and gave up three runs in 4 ? innings. The Brewers are half a game back as they enter the final series of the season looking to earn themselves a playoff spot in a crowded National League. 

The Brewers head to St. Louis to take on the Cardinals in a five-game series. Game one is scheduled for Thursday at 7:15 p.m.

After dropping the first game, the Milwaukee Brewers narrowly beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2 to even the series. Things didn’t look good early as Cincinnati’s Nick Castellanos hit a 2-run home run in the first. Brett Anderson went on to shutout the Reds over the next five innings. He only allowed four hits and struck out seven batters. Milwaukee’s offense was kickstarted by a Tyrone Taylor home run in the fifth to cut the lead to one. In the seventh, Orlando Arcia drove in Daniel Vogelbach off a sacrifice fly. Later in the seventh Eric Sogard would give the Brewers the lead with a double to score Jedd Gyorko. The Brewers will look for a much needed series win in game three. 

Brewers host the Reds in the final game of the series Wednesday night at 5:40 p.m.

There have not been many opportunities for runners in Door County to toe the line in 2020.

Of the 19 events on the Run the Door circuit dating back to last November, only two races have been held in person and four turned into virtual events. The organization added two other virtual events in April and in May. Runners can earn points still by completing the virtual Run Wild! Quarter Marathon/5K as well as the Fall 50.

Registration for the virtual Run Wild! which benefits the Friends of Potawatomi State Park can be found here. You can also sign up to run the entire course of the Fall 50 as a solo runner by registering here.

You can find the point standings here.

For consecutive weeks, the Green Bay Packers offense had 450+ yards and 40+ points. Once again the Packers offense was outstanding as they recorded 200+ yards both passing and rushing. After falling behind 14-3 in the first quarter, the Packers would score two touchdowns in the second to lead 17-14 at the half. On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Aaron Jones exploded for a 75-yard touchdown run and the Packers never looked back. Aaron Jones finished with 236 total yards and three scores. Aaron Rodgers had another good outing as he threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns.

The Packers will travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints next Sunday night at 7:20 p.m.

The Milwaukee Brewers reigned supreme Sunday as they won 5-3 to sweep the Royals. Josh Lindblom earned the win as he allowed only one run in 5 ?. Daniel Vogelbach put the Brewers on the board early with a 2-run home run in the first. Vogelbach would then bring Braun and Yelich home in the sixth with another home run. Josh Hader recorded his tenth save to close the game.

The Brewers travel to Cincinnati on Monday for a three-game series against the Reds. First pitch is scheduled for 5:40 p.m.

With the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors voting to bring back college football last week, the Wisconsin Badgers are set to kick off the season on October 24 against Illinois. They will play eight conference games and the regular season will finish December 5. The Badgers are looking for a strong season as they will not play Ohio State and Penn State this season. 

The Badgers will host Illinois on October 24. The time of kickoff is yet to be determined. 

A combination of excellent pitching and late scoring secured the 5-0 Brewers win over the Royals on Saturday night. Corbin Burnes earned the win as he struck out nine batters and gave up zero runs in six. The Brewers only run through seven came when Luis Urias scored on a throwing error by Nicky Lopez. They would score four insurance runs in the eighth. Jacob Nottingham had an RBI double and Ryan Braun crushed a 3-run home run that brought Nottingham and Yelich home. 

The Brewers look for the series sweep at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday.

The Green Bay Packers(1-0) look to continue their strong start to the 2020 season against the Detroit Lions(0-1) in week 2. The Packers offense looked nearly unstoppable on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings as they racked up 43 points and punted only one time. Aaron Rodgers was in MVP form as Pro Football Focus graded him as the best player of week 1 for his performance that saw him throw for 364 yards and four touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, the Detroit Lions are looking to bounce back from a devastating week 1 loss that saw them blow a 17 point fourth-quarter lead at home to the Chicago Bears. The Packers will be playing without DT Kenny Clark who has been ruled out with a groin injury.

The Green Bay Packers will host the Detroit Lions Sunday at noon. 

Going down 4-0 in the first three innings is never a key ingredient to winning but the Milwaukee Brewers were able to overcome that and beat the Kansas City Royals 9-5 on Friday night. The Royals stormed out of the gate and were able to score three runs in the first off a Salvador Perez double and a throwing error that saw Perez score later in the inning. Perez would go on to drive in another run for the Royals in the third off a single. Then the Brewers decided enough was enough. Christian Yelich would start the scoring with a solo home run in the fourth. After a pair of hits and a walk, Orlando Arcia would go on to draw a walk that would bring Ben Gamel home. Two batters later Jacob Nottingham topped off the fourth with a grand slam. The Brewers weren’t finished as Arcia brought Gamel and Gyorko home with a 3-run home run in the fifth. Jacob Nottingham finished 1-4 with four RBIs while Orlando Arcia finished 2-3 with four RBIs. Corbin Burnes(3-0) will take the mound for the Brewers as they look to win the second game of the series. First pitch is scheduled for Saturday at 6:10 p.m.

The Greek Freak made history on Friday as he took home his second MVP. The back-to-back MVP had a regular season for the record books. Antetokounmpo led the Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the NBA(56-17) for the second consecutive season. He averaged 29.5 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 5.6 assists as he surpassed Wilt Chamberlain and broke the NBA’s Player Efficiency Rating(PER) record for a single season. He also took home the Defensive Player of the Year award. By winning both awards in the same season, he joined Michael Jordan(1987-1988) and Hakeem Olajuwon(1993-1994) as the only players to accomplish the feat and became just the fifth player to win both awards during their career.

While the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors just voted unanimously to bring the college football season back on the weekend of October 23-24, the Wisconsin Badgers Football team has been struck by COVID-19. Public Health officials of Madison and Dane County have stated that 42 members of the team and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 since June. Even more concerning, 29 of the 42 positive tests have come between September 1 and September 15. The Badgers first scheduled opponent for the weekend of October 23-24 has yet to be announced. 

Collegiate programs like the Green Bay men's and women's basketball teams now have a date to shoot for when it comes to starting their season.

The NCAA Division 1 Council announced Wednesday that November 25th could be the first day teams could play games, whether they are exhibition or not. Teams could start full practices as soon as October 14th. According to ESPN, the conclusion of the fall semester played into the decision with 76 percent of college campuses being closed at that time. Teams could play up to 25 games, including for non-conference contests.

For the Phoenix men, that means its games against Oklahoma State and Montana State will likely not be played this season. The Green Bay Athletic Department had not released a preliminary women's schedule prior to Wednesday's announcement. 

Wisconsin Badger football will be back in 2020.  The Big Ten’s Council of Presidents and Chancellors announced Wednesday that there will be a fall football season.  Beginning on the weekend of October 24, the Big Ten will open the season with teams playing eight games along with a Big Ten Championship Game.   The Championship Game is scheduled for December 19, which will allow the Big Ten to be eligible for the College Football Playoff.  Teams that do not play in the Big Ten Championship Game will play consolation games on December 19 as well.  Fans will not be allowed to attend games.  The rapid testing for athletes and coaches for COVID-19 was a key element in the return of Big Ten football.  That testing will begin on September 30.  The Big Ten had originally decided to cancel fall football until the spring back on August 11.    

The Green Bay Packers were not done shaping their roster after Saturday's cut down day.

On Sunday the Packers announced it had signed LB ?Krys Barnes?, WR Reggie Begelton,  S ?Henry Black?, RB ?Damarea Crockett?, LB ?Tipa Galeai, C ?Jake Hanson?, G ?Zack Johnson?, T/G ?Alex Light?, TE ?John Lovett?, DL ?Willington Previlon?, LB ?Greg Roberts?, CB ?Stanford Samuels?, DL ?Delontae Scott? and WR ?Darrius Shepherd? to its practice squad. 

The organization did not take the holiday off, placing linebacker Kamal Martin and corner Kabion Ento on injured reserve while also signing cornerback Parry Nickelson. The Tulane grad was drafted by the New York Jets in 2018 and has had brief stints with the Seattle Seahawks and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Packers are preparing for their season opener on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. The game kicks off at noon from Minneapolis.

Looking behind the bench of the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning yields a comfortable, familiar feeling for Green Bay Gamblers fans. Tampa Head Coach Jon Cooper and Assistant Coach Derek Lalonde once paced behind the bench at the Resch Center. Gamblers are in the front office, too, including Amateur Scout John Burkhart and Video Coach Brian Garlock. All of the alumni are busy preparing for the Eastern Conference finals. Game One against the Islanders is Monday at 7 PM. 

You can catch this year's version of the Gamblers on 104.1 WRLU this season, beginning in November.

Fans were not invited anyways, but the Green Bay Packers will not be offering anything resembling a Family Night scrimmage this year.

The organization made the announcement Wednesday, saying changes to the training camp structure, the cancellation of the preseason, and also the secrecy other teams have displayed in recent weeks helped form their decision. The television and radio networks for the Packers will instead air classic games and preview shows as a replacement. 

The Packers' first game is on the road September 13th against the Minnesota Vikings. 

Runners will have to wait next spring to compete in the Door County Half Marathon.

The Peninsula Pacers made the decision on Wednesday to completely cancel the 2020 edition of the event after originally shifting it from its traditional May start.  The group cited the logistical challenges with the race and the complications COVID-19 has caused for the reason for the cancelation. The race depends on shuttle buses to get hundreds of runners to the start line inside Peninsula State Park and have to rely on hundreds of volunteers and medical professionals to make the race possible. The Peninsula Pacers have already had to cancel their Hey Hey 5k and Peninsula Century bike rides.