MUSKEGON, Michigan (November 8th) – In another one shot game, the Muskegon Lumberjacks were unable to solve the Dubuque Fighting Saints’ power play as the visitors used the man advantage to tally all of their goals for the night and were able to battle back from a late one goal deficit to claim a 3-2 overtime victory tonight at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The Fighting Saints (9-2-0, 18 points) notched the game’s first goal of the night just past the halfway point of the opening frame at the 10:06 mark using the power play to their advantage as Robby Darrar scored his third goal of the season off a loose puck in the left faceoff circle and ripped it past Jordan Uhelski’s (3-3-2) blocker side low to make it 1-0 in favor of the visitors.  Jarrid Privitera and Dylan Gambrell got the helpers on the man advantage tally.

A few minutes later at the 14:32 mark, the Lumberjacks (7-6-3, 17 points) were able to pull even at 1-1 as Steven Spinner found a loose rebound while parked in front of the Dubuque goal crease to muscle his first career USHL goal that was aided by Cooper Marody and Luc Snuggerud.  It was also Muskegon’s first shot on goal for the game.

Later into the first period with 51 seconds left, Muskegon grabbed their first lead at 2-1 as Robbie DeMontis was able to create a Dubuque turnover at the center ice line and create a three-on-one odd man rush.  DeMontis then passed the puck to the trailer, Matt Iacopelli, who one-timed his team-leading 10th goal of the season past Christian Frey (7-0-0).

Dubuque outshot Muskegon through the first 20 minutes heavily, 17-7, but the hosts were able to take their one goal lead into the first intermission locker room.

After a scoreless second period, the game continued into the latter stages of the game where the visiting Fighting Saints notched the equalizer with 8:55 left in regulation from Shane Kavanagh for his fourth goal of the season that was helped by Jarrid Privitera and Darrar.

No scoring would be had the rest of the way, and the game trickled into overtime where just 27 seconds into the extra session, the Lumberjacks were called for too many men on the ice leading to Dubuque’s third power play of the night. 

The Fighting Saints capitalized on it netting the game-winner 1:15 into the overtime period as a shot from Phil Boje at the right point hit Carson Gatt and found its way top shelf past Uhelski for the win that was helped by Alexx Privitera and Brett Boeing.

Dubuque outshot Muskegon for the night, 36-29, and Christian Frey made 27 saves on the night to continue his perfect start to the season.  Jordan Uhelski made 33 saves in the tough home loss for Muskegon.  Dubuque was led offensively by Robby Darrar (one goal and one assist) and Jarrid Privitera (two assists) with two points each.  Muskegon had five different players notch a point on offense.  Muskegon falls to 0-1-2 against Dubuque with one regular season meeting left between the two teams tomorrow night at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The Lumberjacks and Fighting Saints conclude their two-game weekend series in Muskegon tomorrow night at 7:15 pm.

Tomorrow’s game features Chamber Night presented by the Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce along with the return of our Subway Saturday promotion.  If the Lumberjacks win on Saturday, fans 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 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.