Cedar Rapids RoughRiders edged by Green Bay in season opener, 2-1

GREEN BAY, Wis. — Mac Welsher's goal early in the third period turned out to be the winner as the Green Bay Gamblers defeated the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, 2-1, in a United States Hockey League opener Friday night at Resch Center.

Welsher's goal at the 2:14 mark put Green Bay ahead, 2-0. Jordan Timmons scored for Cedar Rapids with 5:43 to go, but the RoughRiders could not tie it.

Nathan Smith and Marek Valach had the assists on Timmons' goal.

Josh Dunne scored a little over two minutes into the second period for the game's first goal. Maxsim Zhukov edged Jiri Patera in a goaltending matchup featuring 2017 NHL draft picks of the Vegas Golden Knights.

Zhukov was a fourth-rounder, Patera a sixth-rounder.

The RoughRiders play again Saturday night at Madison.