Game 2: Two third-period goals down Ice

The Ice's second-round series against Green Bay has been one of the irresistable force vs. the immovable object-- the USHL's highest-scoring offense against its most airtight defense.

So far, it's been the immovable object's series.

Despite Peter Schneider putting the Ice ahead with a goal 2:44 into the game Friday night, Green Bay used two goals in the final 10 minutes to hand the Ice a 3-1 defeat and take a 2-0 lead in the best-of-5 series as it shifts to the Pepsi Coliseum tonight.

David Goodwin scored the tiebreaking goal with 9:24 left, and defenseman Aaron Harstad netted the game-winner on a power play with 3:33 showing on the clock to ice it.

Much of the game saw a 1-1 score, as Green Bay's Andrew Welinski tied the game up at 6:09 of the first. The Ice outshot the Gamblers 9-3 in the second period, but Green Bay goaltender Ryan McKay stood firm, posting his second straight game with only one goal allowed. McKay turned aside 20 of the Ice's 21 shots. McKay was the USHL's top goaltender during the season. Jon Gillies earned his first playoff start for the Ice and made 28 saves.

As as been the case every time the Ice and Gamblers have met, Green Bay's offense has come from throughout its lines. Goodwin, who scored the game-winner, tallied just nine goals during the regular season. Harstad scored seven and Welinski six. Eight different Gamblers registered a point, with Markus Lauridsen posting two assists.

David Johnstone and Ryan Obuchowski assisted on Schneider's goal.

The Ice were 0-for-3 on the power play. Green Bay was 1-for-6.

The Ice are in a do-or-die situation now. Game 3 is at the Pepsi Coliseum tonight, with Game 4 (if necessary) Monday in Indianapolis. However, it's not the first time the Ice have faced such a predicament. Last year, they dropped two games in Cedar Rapids, and then rallied to win the last three to win the series in five games, taking the final game in overtime.

Three stars
1. David Goodwin (GB), game-winning goal
2. Ryan McKay (GB), 20 saves, 1 GA, win in net
3. Aaron Harstad (GB), third-period goal

Game boxscore
IndianaIce.com coverage
Green Bay Press-Gazette coverage

All four USHL series sit 2-0
Last night, in the East, top-seeded Cedar Rapids thumped Muskegon 6-1 -- the Riders have a 10-2 edge in goals in that series.
In the West, top-seeded Dubuque posted its second straight 2-1 victory over Fargo to take a 2-0 lead in their series. Third-seeded Sioux Falls beat second-seeded Omaha 4-3 and now has a 2-0 lead and a chance to clinch tonight. All four series are on the same schedule -- Game 3 is tonight and Game 4, if necessary, is Monday.