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Muskegon Lumberjacks

Christian Wolanin Scores as East Bests West in Top Prospects Game

January 13, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


DUBUQUE, Iowa (January 13th) - The 2015 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game saw three current Muskegon Lumberjacks in Joseph Cecconi, Christian Wolanin, and Eric Schierhorn take to the ice at the Mystique Community Ice Center, home of the Dubuque Fighting Saints, looking to make a lasting impression on the hundreds of NHL scouts watching in attendance. In the end, all three contributed to the final decision as a five-goal first period from Team East helped pave the way to a 7-4 victory over Team West tonight.

In the beginning moments of the game, Cecconi helped Team East jump out to an early 1-0 lead 3:39 in as the Michigan commit centered a feed from the right wing into the low slot that was eventually jammed in by Kevin Conley of Youngstown.

Following the game's opening goal, Tea m East went on to record four more goals in a span of 7:00 to take a 5-0 lead going into the first intermission. Chase Pearson of Youngstown (11:03 mark), Conley (14:00 mark), and Cal Burke of Cedar Rapids (14:45 mark) increased the spread to 4-0 before Wolanin, the North Dakota commit, capped off the first period scoring with a wrist shot from between the faceoff circles in his team's offensive zone past Team West netminder Ben Blacker of Cedar Rapids with 1:57 to go.

During the second, Team East extended their lead to 6-0 at the 6:43 mark from Sam Miletic of Green Bay. With 7:47 left in the middle frame, starting goaltenders Ryan Larkin of Cedar Rapids and Blacker were relieved of their duties in favor of Schierhorn and Chris Birdsall of Youngstown. Before the period ended with 4:13 to go, Team West reached the scoreboard courtesy of Joseph Masonius of the USNTDP to trim into the deficit to 6-1 Team East going into the second intermission.

Team West continued to chip away at the margin in the third with a trio of markers from Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson of Omaha (:22 mark), Jake Henderson of Omaha (13:38 mark), and a power play extra attacker goal from Chris Wilkie of Tri-City (17:06 mark) to make 6-4 in favor of Team East. Ultimately, Team East had the final say burying an empty net goal with 1:35 remaining in regulation from Jiri Fronk of Cedar Rapids. Team West outshot Team East for the night, 40-29.

Larkin nabbed the victory in net for Team East stopping all 18 shots he faced, while Schierhorn put forth an 18-save effort in his second half duty. Blacker toss the loss between the pipes for Team West with 13 saves, while Birdsall stopped all nine shots that came his way in his work during the backend of the game. Team East was led offensively by Kevin Conley with two goals plus an assist. Team West's offensive attack was spearheaded by Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson and Jake Henderson with a goal and an assist each followed by Des Moines' Nikita Pavlychev with two assists.

In regards to the Lumberjack players, Joseph Cecconi finished with an assist, Christian Wolanin potted a goal on two shots to go with a plus-two rating, and Eric Schierhorn stopped 18 of 22 shots faced in 27:47 of ice time.

The Lumberjacks hit the road next weekend for a pair of contests against the Western Conference's Omaha Lancers on Friday, January 16th at 8:35 pm and Saturday, January 17th at 8:05 pm.

Following the two-game weekend series in Omaha, Nebraska, Muskegon returns home on Monday, January 19th for a special 12:15 pm puck drop against the expansion Bloomington Thunder for the Kids "Dream" Game in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Children ages 3-12 will receive a free ticket to the game upon entry into the L.C. Walker Arena.

To purchase tickets to the January 19th 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 Lumberjacks are 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 January 13, 2015


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