ANN ARBOR, Michigan (September 27th) – For the second consecutive game to start the 2013-14 regular season, the Muskegon Lumberjacks had to muscle their way to another road victory as they were able to overcome a late surge from the opposition and come away with a hard-fought 5-4 road victory over the USNTDP Under-17 Team tonight at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

The Lumberjacks (2-0-0, 4 points) got on the board quickly in the first period as Trevor Morbeck received a fortunate bounce as an intended pass hit an Under-17 player’s stick and found the back of the net top shelf for his second goal of the season to give Muskegon an early 1-0 lead.

Later in the opening frame at the 10:15 mark, the Under-17 Team knotted the game at 1-1 on the power play courtesy of Nick Boka that was helped by Luke Kunin.  Muskegon countered quickly just 23 seconds later to regain a 2-1 lead with a marker from Luke Sandler for his first career USHL goal that was assisted by Carson Gatt and Connor Hurley.

Exactly seven minutes later at the 17:38 mark, the Lumberjacks seized a 3-1 lead with a tally from C.J. Smith that was assisted by Haralds Egle and Sean Lang.  The score remained the same into the first intermission with the shot total favoring the Under-17 Team, 13-11.

Muskegon continued to attack into the second period and made it a 4-1 game at the 9:59 mark with Cooper Marody’s first USHL goal as he muscled a backhand shot past net minder Luke Opilka (1-1-0) while parked in front of goal crease that was helped by Ty Pelton-Byce.

The USNTDP Under-17 Team (3-1-0, 6 points) would counter and score the next three goals of the game that began at the 14:48 mark of the middle frame from Luke Kirwan that was assisted by Jack Roslovic and Michael Floodstrand to make it 4-2 Lumberjacks.  With 42 seconds remaining in the second period, Colin White cut the deficit to 4-3 as he found a loose puck between the faceoff circles and fired one past Jordan Uhelski (2-0-0) that was assisted by Jordan Greenway.

The Lumberjacks took the one goal lead into the second intermission even though the Under-17 squad continued to lead the shot battle, 26-21.

The Under-17 Team used the late second period momentum into the early stages of the third period to tie the game at 4-4 at the 3:04 mark on the man advantage from Kunin that was assisted by Jordan Greenway and Boka.

A few minutes later, the Lumberjacks regained their one goal advantage at the 7:15 mark on the power play as Frederik Tiffels found a little crease between the circles to score his second goal of the season that was set up by Luke Sandler and Connor Hurley.

The score remained the same into the latter stages of the game when the Under-17 pulled Opilka for the extra attacker with 52 seconds remaining in regulation.  With only four seconds left, Uhelski was called for intentionally lifting his own net to draw a stoppage a play leading to a penalty shot.

Matt Tkachuk drew the honors of shooting the penalty shot for the Under-17 Team, but he would be denied after his forehand shot was stopped by Uhelski’s blocker.  Moments later, Muskegon won their defensive zone faceoff to hang on by the slimmest of margins.

The Under-17 Team outshot the Lumberjacks for the night, 34-24, and Jordan Uhelski made 30 saves for his second road victory of the season.  Luke Opilka stopped 19 of 24 shots in the home loss for the Under-17 squad.  The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Luke Sandler (one goal and one assist) and Connor Hurley (two assists) with two points each.  Ten different Lumberjacks tallied at least a point tonight.  The Under-17 Team was led by Nick Boka and Luke Kunin (one goal and one assist) along with Jordan Greenway (two assists) with two points each.  Seven different players tallied at least a point for the Under-17 squad.

All-time, Muskegon improves to 6-1-2 on the road against the USNTDP Under-17 Team.

The Lumberjacks will begin their 2013-14 regular season home slate tomorrow night against the rival Indiana Ice at 7:15 pm.  Tomorrow features a ceremonial puck drop from General Manager John Vanbiesbrouck and Co-Owner Ronald Friedman along with the return of our Subway Saturdays promotion, where if the Lumberjacks win tomorrow, fans can bring their ticket stubs to any participating West Michigan Subway location for a buy one six-inch sub, get one six-inch sub of equal or lesser value for free.

Also, tomorrow signals the return of the “Rock the Arena” promotion presented by Rock 101.7 FM.  From when the doors open at 6:15 pm until the opening puck drop, Rolling Rock Beer, popcorn, and soda will be on sale for only $2.

The exclusive radio home for the Muskegon Lumberjacks all season long is 92.5 FM WLAW “The Outlaw” as Bryan Fongers delivers the call beginning ten minutes prior to puck drop.

Season ticket packages for the 2013-14 season are still on sale for the low price of $225 for adults and $150 for children ages 3-12 for the 30 home games provided next season along with individual tickets.  For more information on season and individual tickets, fans can visit www.muskegonlumberjacks.com or by calling (231) 724-5225.

The proud home of all Muskegon Lumberjacks home games is the L.C. Walker Arena in downtown Muskegon located just minutes from the beautiful Lake Michigan Shoreline.  Muskegon Lumberjacks hockey, “Experience the Buzz!”

The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud members of the United States Hockey League, the nation’s only Tier I junior hockey league and the leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States.  The Lumberjacks’ organization prides itself on developing not just premier hockey talent, but also exceptional young men outside the arena of sports.  For more information, visit www.muskegonlumberjacks.com.