MUSKEGON, Michigan (November 9th) – After all the frustration and disappointment during the first three games against the Dubuque Fighting Saints this season, the Muskegon Lumberjacks were able to pull through against the Eastern Conference foe as their special teams provided a big lift along with two early goals to hold on to a 3-1 victory tonight at the L.C. Walker Arena.
The Lumberjacks (8-6-3, 19 points) got off to a fast start in the game grabbing an early 1-0 lead at the 7:58 mark of the first period as Matt McArdle ripped his first career USHL goal off a shot from the right point through traffic that was helped by Carson Gatt and Alex Toscano.
Later in the opening frame at the 16:35 mark, Muskegon made it a 2-0 game on the power play after Dubuque was called for too many men on the ice 30 seconds before the goal was scored. Trevor Morbeck used his size while parked in front of Christian Frey (7-1-1) to find a loose rebound in front of the Fighting Saints’ goal crease to put home his fifth goal of the season that was helped by Matt Iacopelli and Robbie DeMontis.
That two-goal lead would hold through the rest of the first period along with the entire second period as the shots between the two squads were even at 20 each through the first 40 minutes of play.
The key point during the second period was the Lumberjacks killing off a five-on-three power play for 1:20 after Alex Toscano (slashing) and Adam Larkin (tripping) were each called for two-minute minor penalties.
Early in the third period, the Fighting Saints (9-3-0, 18 points) cut the deficit in half to 2-1 at the 1:50 mark as Jason Ford swatted his fourth goal of the season past Jordan Uhelski (4-3-2) off a rebound up in the air that initially went off of Uhelski’s glove. Robby Darrar got the lone helper on the Jason Ford marker.
The score held late into the final period where the penalty kill unit for the Lumberjacks had to step up once again as Morbeck went to the box at the 2:45 mark for a five-minute major of elbowing, but Dubuque could not capitalize on the opportunity.
The Fighting Saints pulled Frey for the extra attacker with just over a minute to go, but Muskegon was able to make them pay as Steven Spinner roped his second goal of the week empty-net style from the red line that was assisted by Toscano to cap off the home victory.
Dubuque outshot Muskegon for the night, 37-29, and Jordan Uhelski stopped 36 shots to earn his fourth victory of the season. Christian Frey made 26 saves on the night in his first regulation loss of the season. The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Alex Toscano’s two assists, and seven different players notched at least a point in the win. The Lumberjacks finish the regular season going 1-1-2 against the Fighting Saints.
The Lumberjacks will play a home-and-home weekend series against the Youngstown Phantoms next weekend beginning on Friday in Youngstown at 7:05 pm and concluding Saturday in Muskegon at 7:15 pm.
Next Saturday’s game features Shoe-Lover Night presented by Designer Shoe Warehouse where each fan in attendance will receive a special gift from Designer Shoe Warehouse, and there will also be fun-filled activities for the women in attendance including those presented by Glamazon Artistic Hair Styles.
Additionally, our Subway Saturday promotion returns where if the Lumberjacks beat the Phantoms, 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.
