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Muskegon Lumberjacks

Eric Schierhorn Shines as Lumberjacks Stuff Fighting Saints

November 26, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa (November 26th) - In a pre-Thanksgiving Eastern Conference showdown between the Muskegon Lumberjacks and Dubuque Fighting Saints at the Mystique Community Ice Center in Dubuque, Iowa, the game featured a defensive struggle with the defense and goaltending from one Eric Schierhorn steal the show throughout the night. When all was said and done, the Lumberjacks dug deep defensively to shut down the Fighting Saints offense and come away victorious by a 2-1 final to earn their first-ever win in Dubuque, Iowa since joining the USHL in now their fifth season.

As the game got underway, the Fighting Saints (12-5-0, 24 points) got off to a fast start taking an early 1-0 lead 1:18 in as Evan Smith created a Muskegon turnover in the slot area into a breakaway goal sliding his second of the season through the five-hole of Schierhorn (12-3-1) that went unassisted.

Just 1:12 later, the Lumberjacks (13-5-1, 27 points) knotted the game even at 1-1 as Liam McGing carried the puck deep into the Dubuque zone and slid one from the left wing corner to an open Tommy Marchin in the slot, and the future Brown Bear slid one past the right pad of Jacob Nehama (11-1-0) for his eighth of the year.

The score remained the same into the first intermission with the Fighting Saints outshooting the Lumberjacks through the first 20 minutes by a 13-8 margin.

The game went deep into the second period the same tie score when Muskegon took advantage of their first full power play opportunity of the night to grab their first and only lead at 2-1 with 1:20 left in the middle frame. Trevor Hamilton used a combination of stick handling moves to create a shot from the point, and the Michigan native rifled one through traffic past Nehama top shelf for his second of the season that was set up by Matej Paulovic and Marchin.

The Lumberjacks took their one shot lead into the second and final intermission with the Fighting Saints still claiming the shot battle, 21-12.

The final frame of regulation saw the hosts outshoot the visitors by a 16-3 spread, but the defense by Muskegon and goaltending from Schierhorn stood tall and denied every offensive opportunity thrown at by Dubuque. The Fighting Saints pulled Nehama for the extra attacker with just under 52 seconds to go to create a six-on-four power play opportunity after a penalty was assessed to McGing for tripping but were unable to convert for the equalizer. Dubuque outshot Muskegon for the game, 37-15.

Eric Schierhorn earns his 12th victory of the season with 36 saves, while Jacob Nehama drops his first contest of the season with 13 saves of his own. The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Marchin with a goal plus one assist. Muskegon gets their fourth victory all-time against Dubuque since joining the USHL and lead the Fighting Saints by three points for second in the current Eastern Conference standings.

Following the Thanksgiving holiday, Muskegon returns to the L.C. Walker Arena on Friday for a 7:15 pm bout against the Youngstown Phantoms. The next evening on Saturday, the Lumberjacks and Phantoms conclude their home-and-home weekend series with a tilt at the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio at 7:05 pm.

Fans can take advantage of our "Rock the Arena" Happy Hour promotion presented by Rock 101.7 FM on Friday. From when the doors open at 6:15 pm until the opening puck drop, any domestic beer, popcorn, and soda will be on sale for just $2.

To purchase tickets to any upcoming Lumberjacks home 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 tomorrow 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.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from November 26, 2014


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