SIOUX CITY, Iowa (January 3rd) – There was not much to cheer about on the side of the Muskegon Lumberjacks tonight as the Sioux City Musketeers’ defense and goaltending from Collin Olson paved the way in a wire-to-wire 3-0 shutout victory tonight at the Tyson Events Center.  With the loss, the Lumberjacks are back to one game below the .500 mark.

The Musketeers (20-8-1, 41 points) snagged an early 1-0 lead at the 5:14 mark courtesy of a shorthanded goal from Austin Adduono for his third goal of the season as he wristed a shot short side over Eric Schierhorn’s (7-8-1) blocker that was helped by Jerad Rosburg.

The score remained the same into the first intermission with the Musketeers holding the shot advantage by a 10-7 margin.

In the second period, the host Musketeers continued to build on their lead grabbing a 2-0 lead at the 7:15 mark as Waltteri Hopponen found a loose puck between the faceoff circles and slid a backhand just under and past the right pad of Schierhorn for his fifth marker of the season that was aided by Brandon Hawkins and Joe Snively.

Minutes later at the 12:32 mark, Sioux City tripled their lead to 3-0 as Zach Glienke found a loose puck of his own in the low slot and fired a backhand between Schierhorn’s five-hole for his first career USHL goal that was set up by Adam Johnson and Rosburg.

Sioux City took their three-goal lead into the final intermission while still claiming the shot battle by a 23-13 margin.

The third period featured no scoring as Musketeers netminder Collin Olson (4-1-0) stopped all 16 shots that came his way to earn his second shutout of the season.  The Lumberjacks (13-14-4, 30 points) were unable to capitalize on six power play opportunities on the night that included a five-on-three opportunity for 1:31 during the second half of the opening frame.  The Musketeers edged the Lumberjacks in shots on the night by a 33-29 margin.

The Musketeers were led offensively by Jerad Rosburg’s two assists, while seven total players notched at least a point in the home victory.  The Lumberjacks have been shutout for the second time this season and the first time it has happened on the road.

The Lumberjacks continue their three-game Iowa road trip this weekend with the second game in as many nights against the Sioux City Musketeers tomorrow at 8:00 pm followed by a clash with the Des Moines Buccaneers at 4:05 pm on Sunday.

The next pair of home games for the Lumberjacks will be on Friday, January 24th and Saturday, January 25th against the U.S. National Development Program at 7:15 pm, respectively.  Friday’s game against the Under-17 Team will feature the second and final trading card giveaway of the season along with the return of our “Jacks Win You Win” promotion.  If the Lumberjacks win on Friday, every fan in attendance will receive a $5 Sport Clips gift card.

Saturday’s game against the Under-18 Team will feature our annual “Jacks Fight Cancer” Game presented by Mercy Health Partners.  Fans can contribute to the event in numerous ways in which proceeds will be donated to the Johnson Family Cancer Center, and more information can be found on the Lumberjacks’ Facebook page by searching “Muskegon Lumberjacks.”  Additionally, our “Subway Saturday” promotion returns, where if the Lumberjacks win on Saturday, fans that attend the game can present 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 will be on sale for the next pair of home games over the next few weeks 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.