The quest for the Clark Cup begins Friday night as the Green Bay Gamblers travel to Muskegon for a possible three-game series against the Lumberjacks.

The series between the two teams this season was incredibly close with each team earning five wins and scoring 34 goals. Because of the way the schedule was set up, the two teams are already quite familiar with each other. Gamblers head coach Pat Mikesch says it is up to the team to take advantage of that knowledge.

The Gamblers and the Lumberjacks will play each other at least twice this weekend on Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 6:10 p.m. If necessary, a third and decisive game will be played on Sunday. All three games will be held in Muskegon with the only hope of a playoff home game coming next Saturday night if the Gamblers win the series. 

In the first round of the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday, the Green Bay Packers selected Eric Stokes, a cornerback out of Georgia, with the twenty-ninth pick. The defensive back was a crucial part of the Bulldogs defense and special teams units. In 2020, Stokes had four interceptions. Rounds two and three of the draft will begin Friday at 6:00 PM. 

The Green Bay Booyah made two additions, signing teammates Jake Berg and Elias Flowers for the 2021 campaign. Jake Berg will be returning home for the Summer after his first year in college. The Green Bay native has hit for .250 in ten games for Jacksonville. Berg was a three-time All-conference selection for Bay Port High School.

The Booyah also signed his teammate, outfielder Elias Flowers, who’s a redshirt freshman for the Dolphins. Through thirteen games this season, Flowers is hitting .286. At the conclusion of their baseball season, both players will be in Green Bay for opening day on June 1st when the Booyah host the Fon du Lac Spiders.

The Green Bay Gamblers scored early and often in its 7-4 win over Dubuque Monday night at the Resch Center.

The Gamblers opened the game with four first-period goals off the sticks of Jackson Kunz (2 goals), Ryan Kirwan, and Victor Mancini. After the Fighting Saints made it 4-2 in the second period, Cam Lund scored his first goal of the season to extend the lead to 5-2. The two teams traded goals in the third period with four tallies registered in 11 minutes. Mason Lohrei and Ryan Greene found the net for the Gamblers. Greene, Kunz, Lohrei, Mancini, and Jackson Hallum all had at least two points in the contest while Aaron Randazzo stopped 27 of the 31 shots he faced.

The Gamblers still have an outside chance of hosting some playoff hockey after being one of the league leaders in attendance this season. They can capture the #2 seed behind the Anderson Cup champion Chicago Steel if they sweep this weekend's series in Dubuque and if Muskegon only collects one point in its final three games. The Gamblers would then own home ice for all three games in the first round.

Several local wrestlers have been named Academic All-State Award recipients by WIWrestling.com and the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association.

In order to even qualify for this team, wrestlers needed to have a minimum overall GPA of 3.25. The team features several state qualifiers including two champions. 

LUXEMBURG-CASCO

Senior Luke Shefchik, Juniors Hunter Joniaux and Luke VanDonsel, Sophomores Easton Worachek and George Herlache, and Freshmen Max Ronsman and Isaac Jerabek.

SOUTHERN DOOR

Seniors Kyle Conard, Grant Englebert, Austin Falish, and Griffin Slezewski, and Freshmen Mason Motquin and Spencer Slezewski

KEWAUNEE

Senior Jack Severin, Juniors Max Severin and Logan Steinhorst, and Sophomore Mitchell Thompson

The Green Bay Gamblers play their final regular-season game at the Resch Center Monday night when they host the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

The Gamblers saw a winning streak snapped and their homestand get off on the wrong foot against the Fighting Saints less than a week ago when they lost 6-2 last Wednesday night. The Gamblers have gone 1-0-1 since, most recently falling in overtime to the league-leading Chicago Steel in overtime 3-2. 

Monday's game may just be a "see ya later" to the Resch Center as the Gamblers have qualified for the playoffs. That could mean at least one more game for the Gamblers at home where thousands have come to the turnstiles this season, including several matchups at or near capacity.

You can listen to Tobin Meyer on the call beginning at 7:05 p.m. for the puck drop on 104.1 WRLU and NEWRadioSportsNetwork.com.

A MESSAGE FROM GAMBLERS PRESIDENT JEFF MITCHELL FROM SATURDAY

Dear Fans,

As we approach the end of our 27th season of Gamblers hockey, I would like to say "Thank you" to our fans and business community for supporting our athletes, coaches and staff. In what has been a year like no other, your support and dedication to our program was never more apparent.

Tonight (4/17) is the annual Teddy Bear Toss. Like you, the Gamblers organization is disappointed will not be tossing stuffed animals on the ice after our first goal We came to this decision based on what we feel is the safest and cleanliest way to get these stuffed animals into the hands of the people who need them the most. Please note, we are only accepting brand new stuffed animals (tags attached) in a plastic bag. Stuffed animals can be dropped off at the truck located outside the main doors.

With the win last night, the Gamblers clinched a spot in the Clark Cup Playoffs. There is still a chance we can move up to 2nd, but no lower than 3rd. Stay tuned to the Gamblers website (www.gamblershockey.com) and Facebook page for opponent, dates and location.

In closing, on behalf of the Gambler players, coaches and staff, we say "Thank You". If you are going to the game tonight and or on Monday, Enjoy. I'm sure the boys will put on a good show.

Until the Puck Drops,

Jeff Mitchell

President

Green Bay Gamblers

In their first game since securing a playoff berth, the Green Bay Gamblers fell to the top USHL Eastern Division seed the Chicago Steel, 3-2 in overtime. Green Bay would give up their 2-1 lead near the end of the third period when they would give up a goal with 1:23 left. Jesse Tucker and Jarod Crespo would score the Gamblers two goals. The Gamblers will have Sunday off before returning home to face off against Dubuque.

Though it’s still to be determined what stadiums will look like in the Summer, one thing more teams like the Green Bay Booyah are doing is planning for fan turnout. On Friday, the Green Bay Booyah released their link to find game tickets as it’s anticipated there will be fans at Capital Credit Union Park. The crowd will be limited capacity to start the season. Opening day is June 1st.

Stephanie Hauser was appointed to be the next executive director of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association on Friday. Hauser will begin serving in the role in July upon the retirement of Dave Anderson. Hauser has been in the Assistant Director role since July of 2015. Hauser’s list of accomplishments include leading the Conference Realignment Task Force Committee, establishing the WIAA Award of Excellence and Spirit of Sport Award, implementing a fifth division in softball, forming innovative co-op classifications for gymnastics, supervising the move of the boys volleyball State Tournament to Green Bay’s Resch Center, and negotiating partnerships for convention and visitor bureau sponsors. 

Hauser had a stellar career as an Athletic Director, last in the role at Stevens Point Area Senior High School for eight years. 

On Friday, the Green Bay Gamblers secured a spot in the postseason, beating Team USA 4-2 in Green Bay. The Gamblers would begin explosively, as they would score three goals in the first period. At the end of the period, Green Bay would be up 3-1. No scoring would happen in the middle period, and each team scored a goal in the third. 

The Gamblers’ goals came from Jake Schmaltz, Jackson Kunz, Ryan Greene, and John Mittelstadt. Aaron Randazzo was the goalkeeper for the Gamblers and deflected thirty shots in his ninth win this season. The Gamblers are in third place in the USHL Eastern’s conference with a 29-15-1 record. They host the Chicago Steele, the east’s top team, at 7:05 PM on Saturday. 

The Green Bay Gamblers will look to start a new winning streak on Friday night when Team USA comes to town for the evening.

The Gamblers saw their four-game winning streak end on Wednesday night when they lost to the Dubuque Fighting Saints 6-2. Two of those wins came against Team USA, winning those contests by 5-4 and 5-2 scores. Head coach Pat Mikesch says they were able to have some success against them for a few reasons.

Mikesch hopes to bring of that back for their game Friday night against Team USA when the puck drops at 7:05 p.m. from the Resch Center. Tobin Meyer will be on the call for the game on NEWRadioSportsNetwork.com and 104.1 WRLU. 

DCY Swim Team had a number of great races at the National meet at Schroeder this past week. The girls team was led by Christi Braun, setting the NEW team record in the 400 IM, placing 6th overall, Christi also broke the team record in the 200 breast, placing 9th, Christi finaled in every event she swam, also placing 13th in the 100 breast, and 11th in the 200 IM.

Swimming with Julia Michalski, Cassie Rankin, Maggie Ripp, and Stella Kersebet, the girls placed 7th in the 200 and 400 Medley and 8th in the 200 Free relay. Other great swims included Stella breaking 1:00 in the 100 fly,  Stella also placed 12th in the 100 Breast, finaling at night, and 3 girls splitting 24's in the free relay. Luke Bousley on the boys side had a spectacular meet also, finaling for the 1st time at nationals in the 200 IM with a Best Time! He also swam a Best Time in the 100 breast in a 1:01, just missing finals. The boys were just off relay times, but great effort in all of the relays. Tremendous experience for next year, hopefully held in Greensboro, NC. 

The  Door County YMCA Swim team had a record setting day at the National meet last week. Chrisi Braun set a new team record in the 400 IM and placed sixth overall. She also broke a team record in the 200 breast with a ninth place finish. Braun also placed 13th in the 100 breast and 11th in the 200 IM. 

DCY aso placed seventh in both the 200 and 400 Medley and eighth in the 200 free relay. The relay team was comprised of Julia Michalski, Cassie Rankin, Maggie Ripp, and Stella Kersebet. Stella Kersebet placed 12th in the 100 breast. 

Reviewing all finals, this is the Top 20 list of events for our National swimmers. DCY Swim Girls relays placed 7th in the 200/400 Medley, 8th in the 200 Free relay. Maggie Ripp Julia Michalski, Phoebe Bissen, Cassie Rankin, Stella Kersebet, and Christi Braun combined in those relays. Christi placed 6th in 400 IM, 9th in 200 IM, 13th in 100 Breast, 9th-200 Breast. Stella Kersebet placed 12th in 100 breast, 18th in 100 fly.  (This paragraph was accidentally omitted in the original posting)

Luke Bousley had a great boys swim meet, nearly making the finals in the 100 breast. Jacob Norton placed 15th in the 100 breast, while Drew Rass placed 17th and 14th in the 200 breast. The boys relays placed 9th in both the 200 free and medley relays. Those relays were composed of Luke Bousley, Jacob Norton, Conner Thompson, Drew Rass, and Ethan Almstadt.

Christi Braun

One bad period was all it took to see a four-game winning streak disappear in a 6-2 loss for the Green Bay Gamblers against the Dubuque Fighting Saints Wednesday night.

Jake Schmaltz opened things up with the Gamblers with his 16th goal of the season before the Fighting Saints tied the game late in the first period. That was the first of six unanswered goals in the game, including three alone in the second period. The Gamblers would not score again until Schmaltz found the back of the net for the second time with six minutes remaining in the game. Jackson Kunz registered assists on both goals while Camden Thiesing had a hand in the second tally. Aaron Davis collected 34 saves on 40 shots in the loss.

The Gamblers will have the day off on Thursday before continuing their regular season-ending home slate on Friday against Team USA. You will be able to listen to Tobin Meyer on the call at 7:05 p.m. on 104.1 WRLU and NEWRadioSportsNetwork.com.

Click here to listen to the Coaches Corner podcast at NEWRadioSportsNetwork.com

The Green Bay Glory women's professional soccer team has a new home for the 2021 season.

The Glory announced last week it will be playing its home games at Capital Credit Union Park after playing its inaugural season at Aldo Santaga Stadium on the campus of UW-Green Bay. Capital Credit Union Park is the current home of the Green Bay Booyah of the Northwoods League (baseball) and the Green Bay Voyageurs of the USL League 2.

The Glory will play their first home game at Capital Credit Union Park on June 13th against the Milwaukee Torrent. 

Three Door County YMCA Striver Gymnasts captured a total of six Gold medals this past weekend at the 32nd Annual Wisconsin State Badger Games in Medford, Wisconsin. Level 8 Senior gymnast, Miya Eliyha  grabbed Gold on the Floor Exercise with a score of 9.35.  Eliyha won gold on the Balance Beam  scoring 8.65. Level 6 gymnast, Daylia Sund captured Gold on three events. Sund scored 9.5 on the Floor Exercise,  she won the Vault with a 9.15, and earned Gold in the All-Around scoring 36.00.  Excel Gold gymnast Julia Gregory won her Gold medal on the Balance Beam scoring 9.10.

A total of ten Door County YMCA Gymnasts made their way to Medford to compete in the games. The Strivers Gymnastic Team captured a total of six event Championship Titles and arrived home with 33 individual medals. All ten gymnasts earned medals within a top ten ranking.  The Level 6 Girls team captured a 5th place Team Title scoring 101.95. There were 13 teams in the Level 6 competition. Individual medalists for the Strivers were:

Excel Silver:   Shaylyn Asher,  4th on Floor and 9th in the All Around

                    Alexa Jimenez-Seyfer 3rd on Vault, 4th on Beam , 5th on Floor and 6th in the All Around

Excel Gold:    Estelle Duerst, 2nd on Beam and 8th in the All Around

                    Shylee Asher,  4th on Vault, 6th on Beam, and 8th in the All Around

                    Julia Gregory,  1st on Beam, 2nd on Floor, 8th on Bars, 9th on Vault and 5th in the All Around

Level 6:         Lauren Pratt, 5th on Bars and 10th in the All Around

                    Amira Anschutz, 4th on Floor, 5th on Beam, and 8th in the All Around

                    Sophia Sternard, 4th on Vault, 7th on Bars, 9th in the All Around

                    Daylia Sund, 1st on Floor, 1st on Vault, 1st in the All Around, 2nd on Beam, and 2nd on Bars

Level 8:        Miya Eliyha, 1st on Floor, 1st on Beam, 4th on Vault, and 9th in the All Around.

Gymnasts compete in levels based on their personal skill set. Within each level, the gymnasts are awarded based on age groups. Groups can range from 10 years and younger, 11 to 14 years 15 to 17 years and 18 and over. Each age group within each level, had an average of 19-25 gymnasts competing. Team totals are tallied within the individual levels. Team totals can range from the top 2 scores to the top 4 scores depending on the number of gymnasts within the level.  Due to Covid restrictions, the YMCA of the USA cancelled the State and National Competitions for the 2020-2021 season.

The Door County YMCA: For Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. Driven by its founding mission, the Door County YMCA has 150 full and part-time staff serving over 7,000 members in Door County from facilities in Fish Creek and Sturgeon Bay in a broad range of programming for all ages. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide.

Level 6 team

Level 8  Miya Eliyha

Silver Team 

 Shaylyn Asher,

Alexa Jimenez-Seyfer

The area's two remaining volleyball teams know their path to the state volleyball tournament after learning their sectional assignments for Tuesday over the weekend.

On one side of the bracket, Algoma will travel to Elcho as the number three seed to face second seeded Gresham in the sectional semifinals. A win would put them back on the bus to Crandon to face either top seeded Washburn or number 4 seed Chequamegon at 7 p.m. The Wolves earned their spot in sectionals with a a 25-22, 25-13, 25-19 win over Kewaunee and a 25-10, 21-25, 25-17, 25-18 win over Oneida Nation as the fourth seed.

On the other side of the bracket, Sevastopol swept Southern Door 25-13, 25-13, 25-22 and Sturgeon Bay 25-19, 25-17, 25-17 to earn their number two seed. They will face Mayville at 4 p.m. at New Holstein. A win would put them on the bus to Chilton for a match against either top-seeded St. Mary's Springs or Campbellsport at 7 p.m. 

In a weekend series in Michigan playing against Team USA, the Gamblers scored five goals for their second straight game on Saturday. In the Saturday matchup, Green Bay did not need to rely on late game magic like they did on Friday. The Gamblers started fast, leading 3-1 after the first period with goals from Ryan Kirwan who now has 19 on the season as well as John Mittelstadt, and Kyler Grundy each getting one. Team USA would score a goal in the second period to bring the game to a 3-2 score at the second intermission. 

In the third period, Cam Thiesing would also score his 19th goal of the season. Mason Lohrei also tallied a goal and the Gamblers won 5-2. They return to the Resch Center on Wednesday and will be at home in their next four contests. 

Two goals within forty seconds of each other in the final minute was the difference-maker in the Green Bay Gamblers 5-4 win over Team USA. Mason Lohrei scored the tying goal with fifty-five seconds left. The game-winner would be scored with just fifteen seconds to go by Victor Mancini. Damien Carfagna, Jake Schmaltz, and Alex Servagno also scored a goal. Jesse Tucker also became the organization’s all-time leader in career assists with eighty-five. The Gamblers will face off against Team USA on Saturday at 6:00 PM in Plymouth, MI.

Teams from the Packerland Conference are split into two groups that will play at two different locations on Saturday, as each team fights for a chance to extend their season. Sevastopol earned a top seed in their tournament with a 4-1 conference record. They will host a Southern Door team that is heating up at the right time. Sevastopol has won the previous two matchups against Southern Door. Gibraltar and Sturgeon Bay will also square off at 4:00 in the Sevastopol gymnasium. The winners of these two games will fight for the regional championship at 7:30 PM. 

In the other regional bracket at Kewaunee High School, Kewaunee will face Algoma at 10:00 AM for the second time in as many nights. Menominee Indian and Oneida Nation will also play each other at 1:00 PM. The championship of this regional will begin at 4:00 PM. Both of the regional tournaments are one-day tournaments.

The Green Bay Gamblers will play their first games in almost two weeks Friday and Saturday when they visit Plymouth, Mich. to play the Team USA U-17 squad.

The Gamblers had an unscheduled week off last weekend due to COVID-19 protocols against the Youngstown Phantoms. Head coach and general manager Pat Mikesch gave the team off with the option of having voluntary workouts. He hopes the time off does the team well.

They will face a U-17 squad that lost four of its six games in the month of March, including a 4-2 decision against the Gamblers on March 27th at the Resch Center. Mickesh says it is a talented group, but the Gamblers need to impose their will on them to be successful.

The puck will drop at 6:05 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights. You can listen to our full interview with Mikesch on NEWRadioSportsNetwork.com.

The Run the Door Series will have some new races on its calendar in 2021.

The friendly competition among Door County runners was much like its races and was virtual in 2020 due to the pandemic. The 2021 slate already has some modifications due to the ongoing pandemic. The Southern Door Eagles Trot and the Hog Wild 5K has been canceled for 2021 while the Door County Half Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5K has been moved to October 30th. 

The first points race of the year will be the YMCA Blossom Run 5 Mile, 2 Mile, Kids Run, which will take place virtually May 6th-9th. Two new races will debut this spring with the Run the Door “Fund” Run, 5K, Sturgeon Bay scheduled for May 15th and the Jacksonport Lake to Lake 10K, 2 Mile on May 29th.

You can find the full schedule below:

RUN THE DOOR 2021 SCHEDULE (UPDATED AS OF MARCH 31)

APRIL 24 --Southern Door Eagles Trail Trot, 2 Mile,  Brussels.  CANCELED FOR 2021

MAY 1 -- Door County Half Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5K, Peninsula State Park, Fish Creek, Ephraim. POSTPONED TO OCT. 30

MAY 6-9-- YMCA Blossom Run 5 Mile, 2 Mile, Kids Run, Egg Harbor. HAS GONE VIRTUAL FOR 2021 POINTS EVENT!

MAY 15—NEW! Run the Door “Fund” Run, 5K, Sturgeon Bay (9:30 a.m.) Start and finish at Bay Shore Outfitters. Details and registration link to come. POINTS EVENT!

MAY 29-- NEW! Jacksonport Lake to Lake 10K, 2 Mile, Jacksonport (9 a.m.). POINTS EVENT! Note: Maifest Run on May 30 has been canceled for 2021.

JUNE 5— Hog Wild 10K, 5K, Kids Run, Sturgeon Bay. CANCELED FOR 2021

JUNE 19-- Crossroads Trail Run 10K, 5K and 2K Fun Run,  Sturgeon Bay. Similar format to last year. POINTS EVENT!

JULY 4-- Hairpin Run 5K (Not confirmed), Fish Creek.

JULY 10-- Belgian Days, 4 Mile,  2 Mile Run/Walk (Not confirmed), Brussels.

JULY 24-- Washington Island Rec. Run 10K, 5K, 2K, Washington Island.

AUG. 14 -- Shanty Days 5K, Kids Run, Algoma.

SEPT. 25 -- Hey, Hey 5K, Baileys Harbor.

OCT. 9 -- Run Wild Quarter Marathon, 5K, Kids Run , Potawatomi State Park, Sturgeon Bay.

OCT. 23—Fall 50 Relay and Individual 50-Mile, Gills Rock to Sturgeon Bay.

OCT. 30—Door County Half-Marathon and Nicolet Bay 5K, Ephraim, Fish Creek. NEW DATE, ORIGINALLY MAY 1.

NOV. 6-- Door County Turkey Trot 4 Mile, 2 Mile, 1 Mile, Institute.

NOV. 27—One Barrel 2.62 (Miles) Run, Egg Harbor.

DEC. 4 —YMCA Ugly Sweater 5K Fun Run (Not confirmed), Fish Creek.

DEC. 11 —2021 Post-season Party, Crossroads at Big Creek, County TT and 42-57, Sturgeon Bay.

For at least the third time this season, the Green Bay Gamblers saw their weekend plans altered due to the coronavirus.

The USHL made the announcement Thursday afternoon that the games between the Gamblers and the Youngstown Phantoms would be postponed. Make-up dates have not been set.

Earlier in the day, Gamblers Team President Jeff Mitchell shared this message with fans online:

Dear Fans,

March was a busy month for the Green Bay Gamblers, as the team played 12 games, eight of which at the Resch Center. With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Gamblers sit in 3rd place in the USHL Eastern Division with a mark of 26-14-3. Top four teams in each division qualify for the playoffs.

On the ice, USA Hockey named Gamblers Head Coach/General Manager Pat Mikesch head coach of Team USHL for the upcoming BioSteel All-American Game, Wednesday, April 7 in Plymouth, Michigan. Team USHL is made up of the top American born players competing in the USHL who are eligible for the NHL Entry Draft. The BioSteel All American Game (Team USHL vs United States U18 Team) will be televised on the NHL Network. Start time 7:05 PM.

Mason Lohrei set the team record for points in a season by a defenseman. Lohrei’s 53 points (15 goals & 38 assists) surpassed Derrick LaPoint (Eau Claire, WI), who tallied 49 points during the 2006-2007 campaign. Lohrei (Verona, WI), who five times this year has garnered USHL Defensive Player of the Week honors, leads all USHL defenseman and ranks 6th overall in league scoring. Lohrei was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 2nd round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.

Along with multiple sellout crowds (2,200), March also featured the 1st Annual We Gotcha’ Girl promotion, which asked fans to donate feminine hygiene products for those in need in our communities across Northeast Wisconsin. The generosity of our fans was evident, as many much-needed products were collected.

March 27 was the annual running of the ReschMinster Oaks Wiener Dog Race. Along with the wiener dogs racing on the ice, team also collected pet food and supplies for the Happily, Ever After Animal Sanctuary. Once again, Gambler fans were more than generous.

In April, the Gamblers play four home games (4/14, 4/16, 4/17 & 4/19), including the Teddy Bear Toss on the 17th. This year’s toss will look a little different, as opposed to tossing bears on the ice after the Gamblers first goal, team will be collecting stuffed animals prior to the games on April 16 and 17. Only stuffed animals that are brand new (tag still on) and in a plastic bag will be accepted All stuffed animals collected are donated to Pediatric Care patients at Aurora BayCare.

For a list of home games, start times and ticket information go to the team’s webpage www.gamblershockey.com or Facebook page

Green Bay Gamblers Hockey

On behalf of the Green Bay Gamblers, thank you for supporting our program.

All the Best,

Jeff Mitchell

President

Green Bay Gamblers