WEST BEND - The Monroe Blues adult hockey team lost to West Bend 5-3 in its Great Lakes Hockey League opener Oct. 29.
The Bombers came out strong to start the first period, scoring two goals in the first 5 minutes. Once Monroe got into its comfort zone halfway through the first, the Blues scored two goals in 30 seconds to tie it up. The first goal was scored by Brad Gicipoulos on assists by Gottlieb Brandli III and Drew Komplin. Brandli scored the game-tying goal on assists from Komplin and Gicipoulos.
West Bend started the second period on the power play scoring a goal in the first 30 seconds. That was the only goal of the period as West Bend led 3-2.
Monroe was on the power play to start the third period. Monroe's Carl Vanko scored in the first minute of the third to tie it up 3-3. Assists went to Tom Glomski and Scott Perkins on the goal. With about 5 minutes left in game it was looking like the Blues might come out of the game with one point for a tie against the Bombers, which were the league champions last year. But with 3:49 left in the game, West Bend scored a go-ahead goal to take a 4-3 lead.
The Blues pulled goalie Christian Blick to get an extra skater out to try and tie game again, but West Bend scored on an empty net. Blick finished with 41 saves.
Monroe will play Portage Lake Pioneers and the Calumet Wolverines in Michigan this weekend. The first home game for Monroe is 7 p.m. Nov. 12 against the Fond du Lac Bears.
The Bombers came out strong to start the first period, scoring two goals in the first 5 minutes. Once Monroe got into its comfort zone halfway through the first, the Blues scored two goals in 30 seconds to tie it up. The first goal was scored by Brad Gicipoulos on assists by Gottlieb Brandli III and Drew Komplin. Brandli scored the game-tying goal on assists from Komplin and Gicipoulos.
West Bend started the second period on the power play scoring a goal in the first 30 seconds. That was the only goal of the period as West Bend led 3-2.
Monroe was on the power play to start the third period. Monroe's Carl Vanko scored in the first minute of the third to tie it up 3-3. Assists went to Tom Glomski and Scott Perkins on the goal. With about 5 minutes left in game it was looking like the Blues might come out of the game with one point for a tie against the Bombers, which were the league champions last year. But with 3:49 left in the game, West Bend scored a go-ahead goal to take a 4-3 lead.
The Blues pulled goalie Christian Blick to get an extra skater out to try and tie game again, but West Bend scored on an empty net. Blick finished with 41 saves.
Monroe will play Portage Lake Pioneers and the Calumet Wolverines in Michigan this weekend. The first home game for Monroe is 7 p.m. Nov. 12 against the Fond du Lac Bears.
