Hallmark hat trick lifts Musketeers, 7-4

By Steve Allspach - Journal sports writer | Posted: Wednesday, June 04, 2008

Posted from 10/21/07:
Halloween's still over a week away, but the Tyson Events Center served as a theater of the macabre Saturday night.

The Musketeers beat Green Bay, 7-4, but a United States Hockey League evening sans few treats and the trick of trying to figure out the PA system did result in Coach Dave Sicilano's skaters severing a modest two-game losing streak.

The treat was Donnie Hallmark's first three-goal hat trick in a Sioux City uniform.

"This is my third year in the USHL and I've never had a hat trick," said Hallmark. "Maybe back when I was five or six I might have had three goals in a game.

"I've never been a big goal-scorer. Three goals in a season has been pretty good for me."

The Musketeers lost a rugged, physical contest Friday night at Des Moines and the lingering effects of that contest led to some sluggish play in the first two periods.

"It was so intense Friday, I don't think we really got our legs back until the third period," said Siciliano. "It was just a matter of recovering.

"The game probably affected Des Moines, too, because they went to Cedar Rapids Saturday and lost 7-1."

The Musketeers improved their record to 3-2 and Green Bay suffered its fifth loss in as many games. The Gamblers did lose one of those in overtime so they do have a point in the standings.

Hallmark's goals were also his first three of the season, but Justin Brossman, Steve Quailer, Eddie Olcyzk and team captain Spencer Heichman also contributed goals.

Siciliano praised the work of Hallmark.

"We've got him on a line with two goal-scorers (Heichman and Travis Oleksuk) to give him a chance to be more offensive-minded and it showed in this game," said the Sioux City coach.

Oleksuk had two assists in the game.

Josh Robinson picked up the win in goal, making 31 saves.

"Neither goaltender had the greatest of nights, but Josh was real solid in the first period when we couldn't get things going," said Siciliano.

Hallmark's second goal at 13 minutes of the second period jump started the sluggish Musketeers.

When he sent the puck past Aaron Crandell, the red light didn't go on, but the big message board clearly showed the puck had gone in.

At first, referee Eugene Binda didn't allow the goal, but after consulting the goal judge awarded the goal.

"We just had a little jump, a little more energy after that," said Hallmark. "We didn't get home until early Saturday morning from Des Moines and we were pretty weary."

Hallmark's third goal and the red-lighters of Olcyzk, Quailer and Heichman into an empty net all came in the third period.

Another treat came during the game when former Minnesota Vikings star lineman Randall McDaniel was introduced to the crowd.

Sioux City 7, Green Bay 4

First period: 1, Sioux City - Donnie Hallmark (Spencer Heichman, Travis Oleksuk) 13:41. Penalties: Stuart, SC, holding, 4:50; Little, GB, tripping, 8:07; Bruijsten, SC, hooking, 9:52; Crandell, GB, interference, 11:35; Shea. GB, holding, 19:28; Ginand, GB, hooking, 19:54.

Second period: 2, Green Bay - Joe Schiller (Phil Ginand, Anthony Hayes) 12:46. 3, Sioux City - Hallmark (Heichman, Oleksuk) 13:00. 4, Green Bay - Mike Borisenok (Cameron Burt) 14:21. 5, Sioux City - Justin Brossman (Steve Quailer, Mitch Bruijsten) 18:41. Penalties: Helgeson, SC, interference, 8:48; Child, GB, double minor, 13:13; Shea, GB, tripping, 15:46;

Third period: 6, Green Bay - Christian Morissette (Josh Levine, CJ Lee) 1:08. 7, Sioux City - Hallmark (Heichman, Alex Stuart) 3:30. 8, Sioux City - Eddie Olczyk (Matt Crandell, Quailer) 7:54. 9, Green Bay - Ginand (Lee, Burt) 13:59. 10, Sioux City - Quailer (Heichman, Brossman) 14:48. 11, Sioux City - Heichman (Cody Butcher), empty net, 19:34. Penalties: GB, too many men, ; Doriott, SC, 5:16; Johnson, GB, tripping, 9:38; Crandell, SC, interference, 12:44; Ginand, GB, delay of game, 17:04; Quailer, SC, check from behind, 10-minute misconduct, 17:04.

Score by periods:

Green Bay 0 2 2 - 4

Sioux City 1 2 4 - 7

Shots on goal:

Green 8ay 10 13 - 35

Sioux City 16 9 13 - 39

Goaltenders: Aaron Crandell, Green Bay (L, 0-4-1) 32 saves; Josh Robinson, Sioux City (W, 3-1) 31 saves.

Attendance: 2,648