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Muskegon Lumberjacks

David Keefer Nets Game-Winner as Lumberjacks Bend Steel

October 18, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (October 18th) - In their lone contest of the weekend, the Muskegon Lumberjacks returned home to begin a brief four-game homestand tonight against the rival Chicago Steel that featured a seesaw affair and wild second period in which five of the seven goals were tallied during the middle stanza. In the end it took an early third period strike from David Keefer and a lockdown effort defensively to provide the difference in a hard-earned 4-3 victory tonight to improve to 2-0-0 at home on the early 2014-15 campaign.

In an opening period that saw no penalties on either side, the Steel (3-3-1, 7 points) managed the lone goal of the frame to grab an early 1-0 lead as Frederik Olofsson fired a shot from the high slot that deflected off the blocker of Eric Schierhorn (4-2-2) and into the back of the net for his team-leading sixth goal of the season that was aided by Dennis Gilbert. Chicago outshot Muskegon by an 11-8 margin going into the second period of play.

As the game neared its halfway point, the Lumberjacks (5-3-0, 10 points) struck gold for the first time on the night evening the game at 1-1 with an unassisted tally from Christian Wolanin potting one from the left faceoff circle past the glove hand of Cale Morris (1-2-1) for his third of the season.

Just 21 seconds later, Muskegon found their first lead of the game at 2-1 with Steven Merl centering a pass to an open Matheson Iacopelli in the slot area, and the Chicago Blackhawks prospect one-timed his team-leading seventh goal of the year that was also helped by Cooper Marody.

With 7:17 left in the middle frame, Chicago found their equalizer tying the game at 2-2 as Olofsson recorded his second of the evening and seventh of the season off a rebound lifting it top shelf under the crossbar that was set up by Robby Jackson and Peter Tischke.

The wild second period continued on with the Lumberjacks regaining their one goal lead at 3-2 at the 14:58 mark with Jack Rowe sliding a one-time shot in the slot under the right pad of Morris for his fourth marker of the season that was assisted by Keefer and Wolanin.

Exactly 2:30 later, the Steel once again countered to tie the game at 3-3 as Connor Murphy laced a power play goal of his own off a loose puck in the slot area for his third of the season that was helped by Jackson and Olofsson.

The flurry of second period goals ended with Muskegon outshooting Chicago during the middle 20 minutes by a slim 16-15 margin.

Early in the final frame, Muskegon found the eventual game-winning tally 4:04 in as Keefer used a series of moves to flip one over the right shoulder of Morris for his fourth goal of the season that was aided by Joseph Cecconi.

When all was said and done, the Keefer marker turned out to be the eventual game-winner as the defense and netminding from Schierhorn paved the way during the final 15:56 of regulation. The Steel pulled Morris for the extra attacker with 1:30 left, but were unsuccessful in their attempt to even the game back up. Muskegon edged Chicago in shots for the game, 34-32.

Eric Schierhorn picks up his second home victory of the season with 29 saves, while Cale Morris took the road loss stopping 30 shots of his own. Muskegon was led offensively by Christian Wolanin and David Keefer with a goal and one assist each. Frederik Olofsson led Chicago's offensive attack with his pair of markers plus one assist along with Robby Jackson chipping in with a pair of helpers.

Muskegon's four-game homestand continues next weekend with a pair of games against the rival Green Bay Gamblers on Friday, October 24th and Saturday, October 25th at 7:15 pm, respectively. Saturday's game features "Trick-or-Treat with the Jacks" presented by 107.9 WMUS FM "The Moose" that includes costume contests and a special postgame Trick-or-Treat skate with the team for all ages.

To purchase tickets and take advantage of our discounted advance game day prices, fans can stop by the L.C. Walker Arena Box Office this week during the normal business hours of 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on Monday - Friday or call (231) 724-5225.

The Lumberjacks are back on the radio waves as Nash Icon 92.5 FM is the team's flagship provider for the 2014-15 season. Tune in as the "Voice of the Lumberjacks" Bryan Fongers delivers the call beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening puck drop. All games can also be listened and watched live online at www.fasthockey.com.

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 18, 2014


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