GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (November 27th) – In the third and final meeting this season between the two Eastern Conference rivals at the Green Bay Resch Center, the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Green Bay Gamblers were in a defensive stalemate for the majority of regulation until the hosts delivered a big jolt into the visitors tallying the game-winning goal with 1:11 left leading to an offensive flurry and ending in a 4-1 final in favor of the Gamblers.
The Gamblers (9-5-4, 22 points) didn’t waste long to make the first statement of the night grabbing a quick 1-0 lead just 41 seconds into the game as Nick Schmaltz received a pass from Matthew Weis in the low slot during a two-on-one breakout to fire his eighth goal of the season on a one-time backhand was also helped out by Evan Tironese.
Later on in the period at the 8:39 mark, the Lumberjacks (10-8-4, 24 points) evened the game at 1-1 as Cooper Marody fired a slap shot from the left faceoff circle past the short side of Jared Rutledge (9-4-2) for his fifth of the season that was assisted by Chirstopher Dodero and Matt Mendelson.
The score remained the same for the better part of regulation as both defenses and goaltending stood tall that included both teams going empty on their respective power plays on the night (Green Bay 0-for-5 and Muskegon 0-for-4).
In the waning moments of regulation, the Gamblers were able to create a two-on-one odd man rush off a Lumberjacks’ turnover at the center ice line in which Evan Tironese took the puck down into the left faceoff circle and snapped a wrist shot past Eric Schierhorn’s (5-5-1) blocker side with 1:11 left in the third period for his fourth goal of the season to make it a 2-1 game.
Muskegon would pull Schierhorn for the extra attacker shortly after the goal, but Green Bay capped off the home victory lacing an empty net goal from Ryan Siroky for his fifth marker of the season with 35 seconds left in regulation.
The wheels for the Lumberjacks continued to fall off as Green Bay created another Muskegon turnover into their third goal in 67 seconds as Sebastian Weberg went backhand to forehand and potted his fourth of the season with four seconds to go that capped off the scoring.
Green Bay outshot Muskegon on the night, 30-21, and Jared Rutledge stopped 20 shots to earn his ninth victory of the season. Eric Schierhorn made 26 saves on the night in the tough road defeat. The Gamblers were led offensively by Evan Tironese with a goal and an assist along with four other notching at least a point. Muskegon falls to 1-1-1 against Green Bay with three regular season meetings remaining at the L.C. Walker Arena.
Following the Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, the Lumberjacks will host the Green Bay Gamblers for two games this Friday and Saturday at 7:15 pm, respectively.
Friday’s game will feature Made in Michigan Night where companies that are locally owned and operated in the State of Michigan are encouraged to come on out and enjoy some great hockey action for the group rate of $8 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3-12. There will also be a networking session in the Party Deck during the game for companies to mix and mingle with one another.
Saturday’s game will feature Military Night sponsored by Sport Clips where veterans and active military will receive a special $8 ticket at the door with valid military credentials. In addition, $3 out of every ticket sold to a veteran or active military member will be donated to the “Help a Hero” Foundation. Lastly, any veteran or active military personnel can stop by the Sport Clips on Harvey Street in Muskegon at any time before Saturday’s game and receive a free pair of tickets to the game with valid military credentials.
Additionally, our Subway Saturday promotion returns, where if the Lumberjacks beat the Gamblers next Saturday, fans can redeem their ticket stubs at any participating West Michigan Subway location for a buy one six-inch sub, get another six-inch sub of equal or lesser value for free.
Individual game tickets are on sale for the low price of $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12 if they are purchased before the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased at the Lumberjacks’ Box Office or by calling (231) 724-5225.
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.
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.
