Schierhorn Stars to Give Lumberjacks First Win in Dubuque
November 26, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Dubuque Fighting Saints News Release
DUBUQUE, IA-It took a sensational performance from Eric Schierhorn, but the Muskegon Lumberjacks finally have their first win in Dubuque. The Lumberjacks goaltender kicked out 36 shots to lead Muskegon to a 2-1 win over the Fighting Saints Wednesday night. The victory was Muskegon's first in Dubuque since both the Lumberjacks and Fighting Saints entered the USHL in 2010. Prior to tonight, Muskegon was 0-7-3 in Dubuque in the regular season and 0-2 in the playoffs.
The scoring started early during Wednesday's Thanksgiving Eve game. Dubuque found the back of the net first only 1:18 into the contest on an unassisted goal by Mitchell Smith. The forward knocked down a clearing pass and worked around the Muskegon defender. He cut in on Schierhorn and slid a backhand shot five-hole to put Dubuque up 1-0.
The tally would be Dubuque's lone goal of the night. Schierhorn, an Anchorage, Alaska native, would deny Dubuque repeatedly over the next 58 minutes. The goaltender improved to 12-3-1 on the season and made several point-blank shots including 16 stops in the game's final period. Dubuque controlled much of the game's pace, but Schierhorn was the difference. His performance earned him the 1st Star of the game.
Muskegon quickly responded after Evan Smith's goal to tie the game. Liam McGing worked the puck in down the left wing sideboards and fired a pass to the slot. Forward Tommy Marchin stood in the middle of the ice uncovered and one-timed a shot low along the ice. The puck beat Dubuque netminder Jacob Nehama past the left pad to make it 1-1 at 2:30 of the opening period.
The game-winning goal came for Muskegon late in the game's middle frame on the powerplay. Trevor Hamilton scored the goal on a slapshot from the middle of the blue line. The defender walked the puck on the point, maneuvering around a sliding Dubuque penalty killer. He waited patiently before unloading a slapshot that rattled off the post and in to make it 2-1 at 18:40.
Muskegon went 1-for-3 on the powerplay while Dubuque struggled to find the net on the man advantage, going 0-for-5 on the evening. Dubuque was awarded a powerplay in the game's closing minute, but couldn't equalize with the netminder pulled for an extra attacker.
Nehama dropped his first game of the season for Dubuque. He stopped 13 shots in the losing effort and is now 11-1-0.
Dubuque visits Madison Friday night, but the holiday weekend fun continues on Saturday night as the Fighting Saints host Team USA for a special holiday weekend 6:05 p.m. puck drop. The first 1,000 kids (12 and under) will receive a Youth Replica Jersey courtesy of Dubuque Fire Equipment. Tickets are available by calling 563.583.6880 or online at DubuqueFightingSaints.com.
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United States Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2014
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