USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Durham Makes 48 Saves, Leads Dubuque Past Muskegon

Published on March 2, 2018 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - Despite firing 52 shots on goal, the Muskegon Lumberjacks could not find goal number five as they fell to the Dubuque Fighting Saints 5-4 Friday night at LC Walker Arena.

Dubuque netmender James Durham made 48 saves to lead the Saints to the narrow win.

The game marks the seventh meeting in a row between the Saints and Jacks that has been decided by one goal.

It was Dubuque who got the scoring started while skating four-on-four. Saints forward Matias Maccelli got in behind the Muskegon defense and received a stretch pass from his own defensive zone. In on a breakaway, he made a quick forehand-backhand deke to beat Lumberjack goaltender Zach Borgiel to make it 1-0 Dubuque.

Shortly thereafter, on the power play, Dubuque would get another goal this time thanks to defenseman Jacob Semik, who sent in a shot from the point that found its way past several bodies, including Borgiel, to make it 2-0. The Saints would add another power-play goal soon after while on a five-on-three advantage. All three goals were scored before the game was 12 minutes old.

But Muskegon fought back in the later stages of the first period.

Off a faceoff, Marc Del Gaizo took a quick shot from the point that was tipped in past Durham by Monte Graham to get the Lumberjacks on the board. Just 1:24 later, Mikael Hakkarainen forced a turnover in the offensive zone and sent a hard shot past Durham to make it a 3-2 game going into the second period.

In the second, it took less than five minutes for the Jacks to tie things up at three. Hakkarainen was able to force his way to the front of the net and beat Durham in close with a deke for this second goal of the night.

The Jacks continued to pour on the pressure throughout the period, but after mostly Muskegon dominance, the Saints were able to respond. In the slot, Jake Hale received a pass from Jordan Wishman and sent a shot upstairs on Borgiel to regain the lead 4-3.

Once again the Jacks responded in the third as Vincent de Mey streaked into the zone on the left side and unloaded a cannon that was too powerful for Durham to handle.

With the game tied, Muskegon embarked on the Belle Tire Power Play, but instead of taking the lead on the man-advantage, it was Dubuque who scored shorthanded to regain the lead once again 5-4 with just 4:51 remaining in regulation.

Adam Tisdale was the goal scorer, and grabs the game-winner for Dubuque, who have now had 12 of their last 13 games decided by one goal.

Defenseman Marc Del Gaizo recorded a three-point game for the Jacks, passing Bo Hanson for second all-time on the Lumberjacks scoring list among defensemen. Marc is eight points behind Christian Wolanin, who leads all Lumberjack defensemen with 61 career points.

The loss drops Muskegon to 23-20-2 on the year, and they will play Dubuque again tomorrow at LC Walker arena with the face-off set for 7:15 pm.

Muskegon goals: Graham (7), Hakkarainen (12, 13), de Mey (14)

Muskegon assists: M. Del Gaizo (21, 22, 23), de Mey (9), Pekar (31, 32), Kaiser (6)

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 2, 2018


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