USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Chicago Cruel to Lumberjacks Again

Published on October 23, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


BENSENVILLE, Ill. (October 23, 2011) - The script may not have been identical, but the plot certainly seemed familiar.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks carried a 4-3 lead into the third period Sunday afternoon, only to watch the Chicago Steel score four goals in the final 20 minutes to pull out a 7-4 decision at Edge Ice Arena.

For the second time in 15 days, the Steel (3-4-0, 6 points) came from behind to top the Lumberjacks (1-5-0, 2 points) at home. Muskegon enjoyed a 2-1 second period lead Oct. 8 before losing 6-3 behind Zach Saar's two goals.

On Sunday, Saar played a supporting role as Andrew Miller's hat trick and Jimmy DeVito's four points were the main catalysts behind the Steel rally. Defenseman Jaccob Slavin scored the game winner - Chicago's third power-play goal on the afternoon - with 5:59 remaining.

The Jacks built leads of 2-0, 3-2 and 4-3 in the high-flying tilt, which featured multiple odd-man rushes and end-to-end action throughout. Dakota Klecha lit the lamp twice in the first and later added an assist on Matt DeBlouw's go-ahead goal late in the second.

The Eastern Conference rivals will lock horns for the third time in four weeks next Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena at 7:15 p.m. The Lumberjacks and the Steel will meet eight times this season.

Klecha's pair, which gave him three in his rookie USHL season, came off a smooth give-and-go with Josh Henke at 5:52 and a superb individual effort less than five minutes later. The future Ferris State Bulldog stole the puck at the blue line and scored on his own rebound while sliding on the ice.

Theo DiPauli (power play) and DeVito netted back-to-back goals to draw Chicago even before the end of the period. DeVito tipped Kyle Buffardi's shoulder-high slapshot home 58 seconds after DiPauli ripped his second of the season through a screen.

Henke earned his second assist early in the second, on Joona Manninen's first USHL marker that completed a 3-on-1 rush. Once again, the Steel had an answer when Michael Fallon jumped out of the penalty box and deked around Lumberjacks goalie John Keeney for his fourth, set up by Saar at the start of a power play.

DeBlouw's perfect drive - off the crossbar and in - gave Muskegon a man-advantage tally of its own and another one-goal lead with 2:11 left in the second. The Jacks had converted their only previous 40-minute lead into a win at Sioux Falls last Saturday.

Miller started his final-period binge 3 1/2 minutes in, beating the Jacks defense with a speed burst to the outside and eluding Keeney with a backhand flip as he cut across the crease. The teams then traded opportunities tied 4-4 until Slavin's shot from the right point found twine.

Miller finished his day with a flourish, potting his second from his own zone just as Keeney left the ice for an extra attacker and completing the hat trick in the final minute with a forehand from the slot.

Chicago goaltender Mathias Dahlstrom, who has played every minute for the Steel thus far, was shaky at times but made 22 saves in the win.

Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html'gameid1660258 for complete box score.

The next home game at L.C. Walker Arena will be Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7:15 p.m. against the Chicago Steel. Kids under 12 wearing a Halloween costume get in free all weekend, as the Jacks take on Waterloo Sunday at 5:15 p.m. Call (231) 724-JACK, or visit startickets.com or your local Meijer to purchase your tickets!

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 23, 2011


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