MUSKEGON, Michigan (November 30th) – It was a tough week for the Muskegon Lumberjacks against the rival Green Bay Gamblers as the home team was unable to comeback from an early four-goal deficit, and the special teams for the visitors was the difference maker late in a 6-3 final tonight at the L.C. Walker Arena to complete the three-game sweep this week for the Gamblers against the Lumberjacks.

After a scoreless first half of the first period, the Gamblers (11-5-4, 26 points) were able to get their offense going grabbing a 1-0 lead at the 11:17 mark as Drew Best tipped in a point shot from the right point by Jake Linhart past starting netminder Eric Schierhorn for his fifth of the season that was also helped by R.J. Gicewicz.

The Lumberjacks (10-10-4, 24 points) had a chance shortly after to even the game at 1-1 as Matt Mendelson drew a penalty shot just 33 seconds after the Green Bay goal, but was unable to convert as Jared Rutledge (11-4-2) was able to stuff him with the left pad.

Green Bay then used another offensive surge to jump out to a 3-0 lead before the end of the first period that began at the 14:17 mark as Ryan Lough potted a breakaway goal for his eighth of the year sliding the puck through Schierhorn’s five-hole that was assisted by Drew Best and Christian Wolanin.

Just 15 seconds later, the Gamblers added another marker this time from Ryan Siroky in which he fired a snap shot from the left faceoff circle past Schierhorn’s glove side for his seventh of the season that was aided by Dawson Cook and Matthew Purmal.

Following Green Bay’s third goal of the night, Schierhorn would be pulled for Jordan Uhelski (5-4-3), who went the rest of the way in net for the Lumberjacks.

The Gamblers used their big first period to their advantage going into the early stages of the second period making it a 4-0 game at the 1:47 mark from Best for his second of the night and fifth of the season sliding the puck through Uhelski’s five-hole that was helped by Evan Tironese.

Exactly seven minutes later, the Lumberjacks got on the board for the first time on the night as Scott Pooley ripped his sixth goal of the season past Rutledge from the left faceoff circle that was assisted by Janik Moeser and Chaz Switzer.

The score remained the same into the third period where the host Lumberjacks would not go away quietly as they made it a 4-2 game just 33 seconds into the final frame from Mason Jobst as he swatted a goal out of midair on the backdoor off a rebound given up by Rutledge that was assisted by Matt Iacopelli and Trevor Morbeck.

Shortly after at the 3:33 mark, Muskegon cut the deficit to 4-3 via the shorthanded variety as Iacopelli raced coast-to-coast and roofed a backhand shot top shelf for his team-leading 14th goal of the season that was aided by Tommy Panico and Matt Mendelson.

However, the Gamblers struck back quickly on the same power play opportunity in which Iacopelli scored his shorthanded goal on as Colin Sullivan fired a one-time shot from just outside the left faceoff circle under Uhelski’s right pad to make it a 5-3 game that was assisted by Best and Lough.

A few minutes later at the 7:05 mark, Green Bay continued to build their lead again making it 6-3 with another man advantage marker this time from Cook for his first of the season off a feed from behind the Lumberjacks’ net by Sullivan for a one-time goal.

Muskegon’s offense had no more answers on the night even though they dominated the shot category tonight by a wide 49-28 margin.  Jared Rutledge made 46 saves on the night to earn his 11th victory of the season, while Eric Schierhorn allowed three goals on five shots in his short work load tonight.  Jordan Uhelski made 20 saves on the night in his two-plus periods of work and took the loss.

Offensively, the Gamblers were led by Drew Best with two goals and two assists, while the Lumberjacks were led by Matt Iacopelli with a goal and an assist in the home defeat.  Muskegon falls to 1-3-1 against Green Bay this season with one meeting left between the two teams at the L.C. Walker Arena on the final day of the regular season in early April.

The Lumberjacks return home next weekend for a pair of games next Friday and Saturday against the Indiana Ice and Chicago Steel, respectively, at 7:15 pm.

Next Friday’s game will feature Lumberjack Night that includes a special appearance from a new member of the Lumberjacks’ family along with pancake dinners being served by the Muskegon Lions Club in the Beer Garden.  Fans can purchase a ticket to game along with a pancake dinner for only $13.50, or if fans already have a ticket, they can enjoy a pancake dinner for just $7.

Also, our “Jacks Win You Win” promotion returns next Friday presented by Sport Clips.  If the Lumberjacks beat the Ice, every fan in attendance will receive a $5 Sport Clips gift card.

Next Saturday’s game will feature the annual Teddy Bear Toss Game presented by First General Credit Union.  Any fan that brings in a new or gently-used stuffed animal to the game will receive an Enter-to-Win slip to try and win a $50 gift card courtesy of First General Credit Union.  Also, any child that brings in a stuffed animal to throw onto the ice when the Lumberjacks score their first goal of the night will receive a free ticket to the game.  All stuffed animals that are collected will be delivered to local head start programs.

Additionally, our Subway Saturday promotion returns, where if the Lumberjacks beat the Steel next Saturday night, 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 both games all next week 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.