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 Muskegon Lumberjacks

Three-Point Night from Robbie Demontis Helps Lumberjacks

November 23, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (November 23rd) - The Muskegon Lumberjacks took to the ice tonight in their lone Sunday home contest for the 2014-15 campaign against the visiting Bloomington Thunder that saw an evenly-played game through two periods skate into the third period where the Lumberjacks found one more answer offensively than the Thunder when it mattered the most. Ultimately, Jack Rowe's tally with 3:49 left in regulation proved to be the game-winning marker in a 4-3 final as the Lumberjacks improved their home record to 7-1-0 on the season and become the quickest team in now the organization's fifth USHL season to amass 12 wins in just 18 games played.

The Lumberjacks (12-5-1, 25 points) struck for the game's first goal of the contest at the 5:23 mark as a point shot from Trevor Hamilton found its way past the glove hand of David Jacobson (3-5-2) for his first as a Lumberjack to make it a 1-0 contest. Robbie DeMontis received the lone helper on the Hamilton tally.

Just over three minutes later at the 8:31 mark, the Thunder (5-10-3, 13 points) countered to bring the game even at 1-1 as a shot from the left point by Butrus Ghafari banked off the end boards and took a funny bounce to the right side of Eric Schierhorn (11-3-1) in trickling off his backside and past the goal line for his first of the season that was aided by Ryan Galt.

The tie score remained the same going into the first intermission with Bloomington outshooting Muskegon through the first 20 minutes, 10-7.

As the game neared its midway point, the Thunder snagged their first and only lead of the night at 2-1 by the 8:44 mark of the middle frame taking advantage of a power play opportunity courtesy of a rebound goal from Blake Gober, who roofed one from the slot under the crossbar and in for his first of the year that was set up by Joshua Shellman and Patrick Curry.

Past the halfway point of the contest with 6:20 left in the second, the Lumberjacks bounced back with an equalizer of their own as DeMontis buried a wrist shot from the left faceoff circle short side past Jacobson for his second marker of the season to tie the game at 2-2. Christian Wolanin and Matheson Iacopelli assisted on the DeMontis strike.

Just like the opening stanza, the game skated into second intermission a tie affair with Bloomington still edging Muskegon in shots on goal by the slimmest of margins at 22-21.

With the third period reaching its halfway point, the Lumberjacks used the man advantage in snagging their lead back at 3-2 with 10:14 to go as Matej Paulovic came off the bench and received a feed from Wolanin in the left faceoff circle with seconds left on the power play, and the Dallas Stars prospect weaved his way through the defense and slid a forehand from the right faceoff circle through Jacobson's five-hole for his seventh of the season.

The game was nearing its finale, and Muskegon was not about to be done on the offensive end. With 3:49 left, DeMontis created a Bloomington turnover that led to Rowe finding a loose puck in the slot and burying his fifth goal of the season top shelf over a sprawled-out Jacobson to double the lead to 4-2. Iacopelli was credited with the secondary helper on the eventual game-winning tally.

However, the Thunder refused to go away quietly as they netted a shorthanded marker with just under 55 seconds left as Alec Mehr created a Lumberjacks turnover and threw an initial shot on goal that was followed up on the rebound by Jacob Slaker, who nudged the loose puck in the blue paint under a down Schierhorn for his fifth of the year to cut the deficit to 4-3.

Bloomington would then pull Jacobson for the extra attacker with 45 seconds left in regulation, but Muskegon's defense held firm the rest of the way claiming the one goal victory and outshooting the Thunder for the night by a 38-35 margin including a 17-13 edge during the third frame.

Eric Schierhorn earns his 11th victory of the season and seventh at home picking up 32 saves, while David Jacobson takes the road setback stopping 34 of 38 shots. The Lumberjacks' offensive output was led by Robbie DeMontis with a goal plus one assist followed by Christian Wolanin and Matheson Iacopelli with a pair of assists each. The Thunder had seven players total a point in their offensive end. Muskegon improves to 2-0-0 against Bloomington this season with four regular season meetings left between the two Eastern Conference foes.

The Lumberjacks begin a busy three-game week this Wednesday, November 26th with an 8:35 pm puck drop in Dubuque, Iowa against the Fighting Saints. Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Muskegon returns to the L.C. Walker Arena on Friday, November 28th for a 7:15 pm bout against the Youngstown Phantoms. To conclude the week, the Lumberjacks wrap-up their home-and-home weekend versus the Phantoms with a trip to Youngstown, Ohio on Saturday, November 29th for a 7:05 pm tilt.

Friday's game is another Jacks Win You Win." If the Lumberjacks defeat the Phantoms, every fan in attendance receives a $5 Sport Clips gift card.

To purchase tickets for Friday's game and take advantage of our discounted advance game day prices, fans can stop by the L.C. Walker Arena Box Office during the normal business hours of 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on Monday - Friday or call (231) 724-5225. The Box Office will be closed on Thursday, November 26th in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

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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