All seemed lost when Green Bay went ahead midway through the third period on Friday at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, but the RoughRiders rallied with a pair of goals in the final six minutes to pull out a 4-3 victory.

"We had a really good sense of urgency," forward Mitch Maloney said. "We knew if we played hard enough, things would start going our way."

Cedar Rapids (18-13-1, 37 points) got out to a quick 2-0 lead, but went into the final period tied with Green Bay (16-11-5, 37) at 2-2.

Nick Schmaltz crept over to the crease behind RoughRider goalie Danny Tirone, and Connor Hurley sent the puck over to him for an easy goal to put the Gamblers up 3-2.

Cedar Rapids outshot Green Bay 44 to 25, so it was tough to be down with 10:16 to play.

"We just keep going," Cedar Rapids coach Mark Carlson said. "We don't get overly concerned if we're up or down. Just keep battling."

"It puts you in more of a drive mode," defender Mark Auk said of being behind. "You want to get the next one and the next one."

The next one came about five minutes later. Andrew Poturalski sent a one-timer to Maloney, who was stationed a few paces in front of the net.

"It was a great setup, and great pass," Maloney said. "I just gripped it and ripped it. I knew if I put it on net, a rebound could happen."

But the Macomb, Mich., native didn't need to worry about the carom, as the puck flew hard into the net to tie the game up.

It was the second goal of the game for Maloney, a midseason acquisition for the RoughRiders. It was his best effort in nine games with Cedar Rapids.

Maloney had been the leading scorer for the NAHL's Port Huron Fighting Falcons before being called up to the USHL on Dec. 23.

"He was in the right spot," Carlson said of the game-tying goal. "All the guys are getting better. We've got to keep chipping away."

The RoughRiders have made a handful of moves over the past few weeks. Frederik Tiffels, who was brought in from the Fargo Force back on Dec. 20, ended up with the assist on the game-winner.

Tiffels sent it out to Auk near the blue line, and he smacked it left of Green Bay goalie Jared Rutledge with 1:56 left in the game.

"I found an opening and let it go," Auk said. "I used to play forward. Its easier for me to see the ice when everything is in front of me."

Like Maloney -- his former teammate at Port Huron -- Auk was content to have the puck rebound, but got the goal instead.

"Good execution, I thought, on that play," Carlson said.

It put the RoughRiders up 4-3, and Cedar Rapids was able to skate the final minutes off even after the Gamblers pulled their goalie late.

Tirone got the win in goal with 22 saves. He was victimized by some tough goals, including a 2-on-1 break in the second period when Schmaltz skipped it over to Matthew Weis for a open look.

Green Bay got on the scoreboard late in the first period on a shot by Connor Hurley.

It spoiled what had started to look like a big night for the RoughRiders.

Alec Marsh put in the first goal 5:57 into the game, picking up the puck right in front of Rutledge and flipping it in.

Maloney got his first goal later in the period when he re-directed a shot by Auk ... near the blue line.

"We're clicking really well as a team right now," Maloney said.

Kevin Shand, who was brought in earlier on Friday, was not dressed. Shand is also from the NAHL, his team the Springfield Jr. Blues.

Defenseman Logan Von Ruden played in his first game Friday. He had been promoted from the Minnesota Magicians of the NAHL back on Dec. 23.

Carlson didn't anticipate more roster moves coming.

"I don't anticipate a lot more to go on," Carlson said. "We like our group. We're going to keep getting better."

Maloney said the newcomers are starting to gel. He had one goal in his first eight games, and doubled it on Friday.

"The guys here make (the move) easy," Maloney said. "Its been a very easy adjustment."

Auk said the additions have raised the level of competition.

"We welcome newcomers," Auk said. "You're part of the team no matter what."

The RoughRiders return to the ice Saturday night. They host Chicago (16-16-2, 34) at The Stable. Cedar Rapids had a crowd of 3,059 on Friday, and will try to top it on High School Night at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena.

"It was a good team effort by our guys tonight," Carlson said. "A good effort."

Green Bay 1 1 1 -- 3

Cedar Rapids 2 0 2 -- 4

Period 1

CR - Alec Marsh (unassisted).

CR - Mitch Maloney (Mark Auk, Andrew Poturalski).

GB - Connor Hurley (Colin Sullivan, Matthew Weis).

Period 2

GB - Matthew Weis (Nick Schmaltz).

Period 3

GB - Nick Schmaltz (Connor Hurley, Matthew Weis).

CR - Mitch Maloney (Andrew Poturalski).

CR - Mark Auk (Frederik Tiffels).