Cox' Late Goal Delivers Thrilling Road Win
Published on November 11, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (November 11, 2011) - The Muskegon Lumberjacks had played their first 10 games without going to overtime. Thanks to the late heroics of Joseph Cox and John Keeney, that streak is now 11.
Exactly one minute after the Youngstown Phantoms tied the game at 1, Cox rifled his first USHL goal into the twine with 6:57 remaining in the third. It held up as the deciding tally Friday night at Covelli Centre in a 2-1 Muskegon win.
The story could've been much different if not for Keeney's dramatic stop on Youngstown's Ryan Belonger with less than two minutes left in the game. Making his third appearance as a Lumberjack, Keeney locked down his first win in Muskegon by denying Belonger on a prime shorthanded opportunity.
Belonger had netted the tying goal with 7:57 left, countering Ryan Lomberg's second-period score, his fourth of the season. Youngstown goalie Matt O'Connor nearly matched Keeney save-for-save, but couldn't prevent the Jacks from beating the Phantoms for the second time in eight days.
The Lumberjacks (5-6-0, 10 points) have won four of their last five and two of their last three on the road after starting 0-3-0 away from L.C. Walker Arena. Muskegon is now tied with Chicago for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, heading into Saturday's matchup with the Ice in Indiana.
The first period featured 27 combined shots, 17 for Muskegon, which matched a season high. The Jacks thought they connected on their first power play five minutes into the game, but Max Shuart's apparent goal was disallowed; the officials ruled Shuart directed the puck into the net with his hand as he was knocked down in the crease.
Shuart did write his name on the scoresheet 3:17 into the second, when he stole the puck in the offensive zone and wheeled a shot on goal that O'Connor stopped. Camped at the right post, Lomberg slammed in the rebound at even strength.
The Phantoms drew even in the third on an unusual play. Jordan Young's wrister was deflected off line, but Belonger one-timed the carom off the end boards over Keeney's shoulder from a sharp angle right of the goal.
Cox struck unassisted while charging down the left wing, beating O'Connor cleanly with an accurate wrist shot, but the Phantoms would have one final chance to tie.
With the Jacks on an extended two-man advantage late, Belonger slipped behind the Muskegon defense, but Keeney turned away his point-blank backhand shot. The former Omaha Lancer also turned in a gorgeous stick save in the first, robbing Richard Zehnal by reaching out his stick.
Go to http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/boxscore.html'gameid1660303 for complete box score.
Muskegon stays on the road for a Saturday showdown with Indiana at 7:05 p.m. The Meijer Pregame Show engages 30 minutes prior to every game on the radio home of your Lumberjacks, 92.5 FM The Outlaw.
Call 231.724.JACK(5225), visit startickets.com or go to your local Meijer for Lumberjacks tickets and information.
United States Hockey League Stories from November 11, 2011
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