MUSKEGON, Michigan (March 22nd) – After a bit of a slow start to begin tonight’s game at the L.C. Walker Arena, the Muskegon Lumberjacks used big second and third periods potting three goals during each frame that included getting the final six goals of the evening to cruise to a comfortable 6-1 victory over the USNTDP Under-17 Team in which five different players recorded multi-point efforts in the victory.

The USNTDP Under-17 Team (24-24-4, 52 points) wasted no time in getting on the scoreboard first just 59 seconds into the game as Ryan Wagner found a loose puck to the left of Jordan Uhelski (10-8-3) and laced his 2nd USHL goal of the season to give the visitors a 1-0 lead that was helped by Matthew Tkachuk.

No scoring was totaled for the remainder of the first 20 minutes as Muskegon found a little bad luck ringing three separate shots off the iron as they outshot the Under-17’s by a 10-8 margin going into the middle frame.

The Lumberjacks (27-23-4, 58 points) found some good fortunes in the second period potting a trio of goals to jump ahead by a 3-1 score going into the final 20 minutes of play.  Beginning just 1:06 into the middle frame, Matej Paulovic fed a trailing Jack Rowe in between the faceoff circles, and the North Dakota commit slid his 14th goal of the season past the right pad of Michael Lackey (4-11-1) to tie the game at 1-1 that was also assisted by Chris Dodero.

Later in the period at the 8:41 mark, the Lumberjacks grabbed their first and only lead of the night at 2-1 as Connor Wood maneuvered his way behind the Under-17’s defense and lifted a shot over the blocker side of Lackey for his 6th goal of the year that was set up by Robbie DeMontis and Chase Hatcher.

The home team continued to build on their lead making it a two-goal spread at the 13:07 mark as Rowe found a loose puck in the right faceoff circle and roofed one over Lackey’s blocker for his second of the night and 15th of the season that was helped by Joe Cecconi and Dodero.

Muskegon took that lead into the final frame while continuing to outshoot the Under-17’s by a 25-20 margin.

In the third period, the host Lumberjacks continued the offensive onslaught tallying three more goals to cruise to the home win that began just 56 seconds into the final stanza as Christian Wolanin fired a slapper from just inside the blue line through the five-hole of Lackey for his 6th goal of the year to extend the lead to 4-1 that was helped by Paulovic and Matt Iacopelli.

Just 57 seconds later, Muskegon increased the lead to 5-1 with a tally by Paulovic for his 5th goal of the season as he slid one under the right pad of Lackey that was assisted by DeMontis.  Right after the goal, Lackey would be pulled in favor of Luke Opilka after allowing 5 goals on 29 shots faced.

At the 5:55 mark, the scoring would be capped off for the Lumberjacks by league-leading goal scorer in Iacopelli as he sniped his 38th goal of the season over the glove of Opilka from the left faceoff circle that was aided by Matt Mendelson.  The last major scoring chance of the game came via a penalty shot as Jeremy Bracco for the Under-17 Team was tripped on a breakaway with 56 seconds to go in regulation, but his attempt would be stopped with the left pad of Uhelski.

The Lumberjacks outshot the Under-17 squad for the game by a 35-29 margin as Jordan Uhelski earned his 10th victory of the season stopping 28 shots on the evening.  Luke Opilka, in his 18:07 of relief work, stopped 5 of 6 shots that he faced as starter Michael Lackey took the road loss for the Under-17 Team.  Muskegon was led offensively by Matej Paulovic with a goal plus two assists followed by a pair of points each from Jack Rowe (two goals), Matt Iacopelli (one goal and one assist), Robbie DeMontis (two assists), and Chris Dodero (two assists).  Muskegon sweeps the three-game regular season series against the Under-17 Team with a 3-0-0 record.

Muskegon will travel to downtown Indianapolis, Indiana for a rematch against the Indiana Ice tomorrow afternoon at 3:05 pm to complete the three-game weekend.

Next weekend, the Lumberjacks are back at home for two more games on Friday, March 28th and Saturday, March 29th against two Western Conferences foes in the Omaha Lancers and Lincoln Stars, respectively, at 7:15 pm.

Friday’s game will feature Superhero Night presented by Best Financial Credit Union, Billet Appreciation Night, and the return of our Flapjack Friday promotion.  From when the doors open at 6:15 pm until 8:15 pm, the Muskegon Lions Club will be serving up all you can eat pancakes, sausage, and juice for just $5.

Saturday’s game will feature Reading Caravan Night sponsored by the Muskegon Lumberjacks Charitable Foundation and the return of our Subway Saturday promotion.  If the Lumberjacks defeat the Stars, fans that attend the game can redeem their ticket stubs at any participating West Michigan Subway location for a buy one six-inch sub and get another six-inch sub of equal or lesser value for free.

Individual game tickets will be on sale 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 for Muskegon’s next pair of home contests.  Tickets can be purchased at the L.C. Walker Arena 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.  You can also catch the Lumberjacks on Michigan TV and Sports with the Muskegon Lumberjack “Game of the Week” every Thursday at 6:00 pm on Charter channel 16.

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.