Dipace And Lundin Capture League-Wide Honors

Published on November 23, 2009 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI.--- Riding the rising rapids of an impressive, league season-best 8-game winning streak, the torrid, first place Muskegon Lumberjacks are earning some richly earned and deserved plaudits and accolades from their extraordinary month of November.

On this date, the International Hockey League, in concert with the Lumberjacks, has announced that veteran left wing JOHN DIPACE has been acclaimed MEIJER / IHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK and first-year goaltender MATT LUNDIN has been named MEIJER / IHL ROOKIE OF THE WEEK for the week of November 16th through November 22nd.

Most instrumental and integral in the Lumberjacks current 9-game unsullied skein, DiPace achieved yet another prolific and proficient week of point-production. With his team completing its third consecutive undefeated week through a 3-games' victory sweep, the 27-year old 7-year pro engineered 6-points on 3-goals, 3-assists with a brilliant +6 rating and 12-SOG. The Clinton Township, MI product authored a masterful 3-points' masterpiece in last Wednesday's 11/18 5th Annual Education Day game, including the key, touch-in-the-clutch TBG/GWG/PP with just 6:00 remaining in regulation time to vault the ‘Jacks into their first lead of the game, 4-3, in an ultimate 5-3 come-from-behind verdict. Saluted as the game's #1 Star, the hard-working left wing stoked the big strike as part of a 4-goal unanswered third period rally that erased a 3-1 deficit and catapulted Muskegon into the victory circle. The DiPace dynamic dossier grew some more the next night as he connected on the GTG in a 2-points performance to help spark the Lumberjacks to a comeback 3-2 decision in Fort Wayne, halting the Komets 18-game home ice win streak.

The 5-11, 190lb DiPace climaxed his latest point-prodigious week's work with the spine-tingling, spellbinding TBG/GWG at 1:11 of overtime Saturday night as the ‘Jacks, for a third consecutive game, rallied from another deficit to overcome Quad City at Walker Arena, 2-1. "Johnny D." was hailed the #2 Star as Muskegon ran its home ice win streak to 7-in succession. During the Lumberjacks 8-game win streak, he, himself, is on an 8-game point streak and 5-game goal streak with both scoring scourges representing the longest in the IHL thus far this season. The IHL's third leading scorer with 15(9-16-25), has amassed 17-points in those 8-games; 8(7-10-17) while being 5(5-7-12) during his goal-scoring skein. DiPace is the IHL's top plus player at +20 with his 9-goals ranked tied for 3rd, his 16-assists listed 2nd and his 7-PP/assists also 2nd most in the league.

LUNDIN, 23, enjoyed another banner start in an already-auspicious pro premiere in 2009-10. The Apple Valley, MN native has, remarkably, remained undefeated through his first 4-pro starts. The 6-1, 175lb goalkeeper raised his rookie record to 4(4-0-0) when he earned his third OT triumph and second in as many starts at home on Saturday night when the ‘Jacks conquered archrival Quad City, 2-1.

The former collegiate standout at both the U. of Maine and later Mercyhurst College claimed the game's "Star of the Game" honors by rebuking 19 of 20-Mallards shots. In so doing, he registered his second victory in as many starts against the Quad Citians with both of those also the product of OT hockey.

For the season at this juncture, Lundin is a perfect 4(4-0-0) with a stingy and stellar GAA of 2.20 and SPCT of an excellent .920. He is a flawless 3(3-0) in OT, having been the Lumberjacks backbone backstop for each of the club's three OT adventures so far this season. He is 2(2-0-0) at home and 2(2-0-0) on the road with both of his home triumphs also by way of OT.

For the first time this season, the Lumberjacks face the daunting assignment of 4-games in 5-days during this Thanksgiving holiday week.

The Lumberjacks will emanate and culminate the scheduling odyssey with treks to Flint where they will be hosted by the Generals Wednesday night, November 25th at 7:00 pm and, again, Sunday, November 29th in a 4:00 matinee at Perani Arena.

In between, the league-leaders will be on home ice for a pair of holiday weekend performances at Walker Arena; Friday night, November 27th, the two-time defending league champions Fort Wayne Komets will be in town for "Lumberjack Night" and $1 Beer Night.

This Saturday night, November 28th, the Dayton Gems will be the guests of the ‘Jacks on "Star Wars Preview Night." Also, "SI KID OF THE YEAR," Austin McCarthy of nearby Ludington will be in attendance to meet and greet the fans, drop the puck for the ceremonial opening face-off and participate in various other event night activities.

Both Lumberjacks home games this weekend will start at 7:00 pm.

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from November 23, 2009


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