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Muskegon Lumberjacks

Boisvert's 4 Points Help Jacks to 7-4 Comeback Win Over Gamblers

February 24, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


GREEN BAY, WI - In front of a packed Resch Center with over 7,400 fans in attendance the Muskegon Lumberjacks (28-15-1-1, 58 pts.) sent a message to the haters with a massive 7-4 win over the Green Bay Gamblers (26-11-4-2, 58 pts.).

Two goals in quick succession int the first period helped the Gamblers to a 2-0 lead. First, at the 9:29 mark defenseman Rasmus Larsson jumped in the play and drove the back post to receive a pass from Blake Bechen on a short 2-on-1 rush. Then, Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) made a save with his helmet which popped a strap on his mask loose. After catching the attention of the official Gadzhiev's plea for a whistle was ignored causing him to lose his mask in the play. Gadzhiev was called for a delay of game penalty sending the Gamblers to an advantage just a minute after taking the lead. Julian Lutz found the back of the net 20 seconds into the power play to extend the Green Bay lead to 2-0.

Muskegon got on the board in the final two minutes of the first period when Bauer Berry (Grand Forks, ND) fired a shot on net that produced a rebound for Matvei Gridin (Kurgan, RUS) at the nearside of the net. Gridin tapped the puck to the empty net for his 24th goal of the season and to cut the deficit to just one. Xavier Veilleux (L'Annciene-Lorrette, QC, CAN) picked up the secondary assist.

Veilleux tied the game for the Lumberjacks with a goal in the second period at the 12:58 mark. A period that featured 5 back and forth goals between the teams in just four minutes of play. Veilleux got a pass on the far side of the offensive zone from Cody Croal (North Branch, MN) which gave him a chance to shoot through an open lane. For Veilleux it was his second point of the night (1g, 1a).

Green Bay regained their lead 3-2 exactly one minute later on a goal from Jayson Shaugabay. A failed zone exit for the Jacks lead to Shaugabay with the puck at the far side of the net. Attempting to send the puck to the slot for a teammate Shaugabay's pass went off a defenseman and into the net.

Again, the Lumberjacks tied the game. This time just half a minute later. Croal sent eh puck from the far side wall down to Ty Henricks (Mission Viejo, CA) in the corner. Henricks carried the puck towards the net and slid a pass up to the slot for Cooper Pierson (Zionsville, IN) who had space to work. Pierson took advantage of the grade A opportunity and ripped a shot to the back of the net for the 7th time this season.

Another goal in quick succession came for the Gamblers to regain their lead. This time Libor Nemec was the goal scorer on the power play. Nemec got the puck at the far side of the Jacks net and popped out and around the crease before wrapping the puck into the net. With an assist in the first period it was his second point of the night.

Just :34 seconds later the Jacks tied the game again. Justin Solovey (Holmdel, NJ) tried to take a shot from the nearside circle which was block in traffic. Solovey got the puck back and took another shot. Instead of being blocked Sacha Boisvert (Trois-Rivieres, QC, CAN) redirected the shot to the back of the net. The 4-4 scoreline held the rest of the period and into the second intermission.

After dealing with 40 minutes of rough calls and bounces the Lumberjacks knew a strong third period would be needed to win the game, and that is exactly what they did in the final frame.

At the 4:51 mark Boisvert scored his second of the game with a power play marker. Another redirection though the initial shot came from the blue line and Gridin. The two point performance for Gridin give him his team leading 56th point of the season, and remains in second of the USHL.

Solovey added a goal of his own at the 8:13 mark when Ethan Whitcomb (St. Catherines, ON, CAN) sent a shot along the goal line from the far side. Solovey met the puck on the near side wall and took advantage of the Green Bay goalie being out of position.

Boisvert added an empty net goal with :52 seconds to play for his third career USHL hat trick (12/30/22 vs NTDP, 2/10/23 vs MAD) and to give the Jacks the eventual final score of 7-4. Solovey added an assist on the goal for a three-point performance (1g, 2a) while Boisvert recorded 4 points (3g, 1a) in the win.

Gadzhiev (9-5-0-0) earned the win with 31 saves against 35 shots. Adam Gajan (19-8-2-1) earned the loss with 28 saves on 34 shots.

Muskegon and Green Bay close the three game weekend series tomorrow afternoon at 3:05 pm CST (4:04 pm EST) at the Resch Center. The game can be found on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on Mixlr.

For schedules, scores, updates, and more visit muskegonlumberjacks.com. Check out the Jacks on social media @muskegonjacks on Instagram and X, @muskegonlumberjacks on TikTok for special content!

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