Milwaukee, WI – The first game as the Milwaukee Cowbells did not disappoint, with a 5-3 win over Lehigh Valley Tuesday night at the Panther Arena.
Decked out in special Cowbell jerseys inspired by the 25th Anniversary of the famous More Cowbell skit from Saturday Night Live, Milwaukee was hosting the the Phantoms for the first time ever.
Kyle Marino led the offense with two goals and an assist, marking the first time in his professional career he had tallied a multi-goal night. Ondrej Pavel and Kevin Wall also both posted two assist nights and Ozzy Wiesblatt had a Gordie Howe Hat Trick with a goal, assist and a fight.
Matt Murray was solid in net with 30-save night and the victory, this was his 18th win on the season.
The Cowbells wasted no time getting on the board with a goal 26 seconds into the game. Marc Del Gazio was able to net his 8th goal of the season from a beautiful pass by Marino who was awarded with his 8th assist of the year. Ondrje Pavel was also credited with an assist.
With 6:24 remaining in the first the Cowbells struck again, Pavel picked up his second assist of the night after setting up a shot for winger Kevin Wall which was saved but Kyle Marino was there to put the rebound past Phantoms goaltender Parker Gahagen and tally his 5th goal of the season to extend the Cowbells lead to 2-0.
Milwaukee came out of the first intermission came out firing with a goal 2:27 into the second from Cal O’Reilly to improve the lead to 3-0. Ozzy Wiesbaltt and Grigori Denisenko setup O’Reilly for his 7th goal of the season. Denisenko was credited with the primary assist and recorded his first point as a since joining from the team from Henderson.
Lehigh Valley responded about four minutes later. Former Admiral Anthony Richard found Rodrigo Abols on top of the crease where he beat Murray to score his 12th of the season.
Brendan Fury put the Phantoms within one after a short handed goal 35 seconds into the 3rd period. The goal came from a pass by Olle Lycksell that set Fury up for a one-timer to make the score 3-2.
Lehigh Valley was rolling in the third period as Richard tied the game up at three at 9:44 of the final frame.
However, the Cowbells finally responded with some good 2-man play between Wall and Marino. Wall faked a slapper from the top of the right circle and instead passed it to Marino, who beat Gahagen over the glove to earn the lead back at 4-3 just 42 seconds after the Phantoms took the lead.
The Cowbells were able to close the game with an Ozzy Wiesbaltt empty net goal with 2:04 left in regulation, his 14th goal of the season.
The Cowbells continue their seven-game homestand this Friday, February 28, as the Iowa Wild come to town for a division matchup.
