USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Jacks Clinch Season Series Win With Weekend Series Sweep Over Youngstown

Published on February 10, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - With a 4-1 record against the Youngstown Phantoms (22-12-4-2, 50 pts.) this season the Muskegon Lumberjacks (26-14-1-1, 54 pts.) needed just one more win to clinch the season series win. A 5-3 finish on Saturday night earned them not just the season series, but also the second weekend series sweep over the Phantoms this season.

Just like last night the Lumberjacks found the back of the net first. This time it was David Klee (Castle Rock, CO) who caught the Youngstown goalie out of position. Aiden Wright attempted a poke check on the far side of the net which caused his momentum to drag his body out of position. With the puck moving towards the nearside Klee won the position battle at the top of the crease and used his backhand to slid the puck into the net at the 13:35 mark of the period.

Youngstown responded to tie the game 1-1 just under three minutes later when Tomas Machu fired a shot from the middle of the blue line that was caught in traffic. The puck fell directly in front of Grant Young who corralled the puck and ripped it into the netting for his 8th goal of the season.

It looked like the teams would head to the locker rooms deadlocked at 1 apiece, but with 5 seconds to go in the first the Jacks struck again. Ethan Whitcomb (St. Catherines, ON, CAN) chipped the puck out of the Jacks end and to the middle of the ice for Justin Solovey (Holmdel, NJ). Solovey then tapped it forward for Sacha Boisvert (Trois-Rivieres, QC, CAN) to carry into the offensive zone. Boisvert used the defenseman as a screen and sent a shot into the bottom, nearside corner of the net to make it 2-1.

Again, Youngstown tied the game. Young picked up the secondary assist for his second point of the night at Daniel Jencko carried the puck into the Jacks zone and around a defenseman before lifting a shot to beat the goalie for a highlight reel goal 8:03 into the middle stanza.

Following the script of the game the Lumberjacks scored again to regain their lead heading into the second intermission. Joe Connor (Amherst, NH) had the puck in the nearside corner of the Youngstown zone and sent it towards the slot. The puck went to Matvei Gridin (Kurgan, RUS) who was turned towards the other end of the ice. Gridin took the puck and quickly shot it as he turned towards the net catching Wright off guard and beating the netminder for his 20th goal of the season, and team leading 50th point.

The Phantoms tied the game once more in the third period just 1:44 into the frame when Botterill found the back of the net, but it would be the last time Youngstown would get a shot past Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS).

At the 8:53 mark Klee scored his second goal of the game, 12th of the season when he found himself behind the defense. Klee slid the puck in the five hole of the goalie to give the Jacks a 4-3 lead.

With an empty net at the other end of the ice t Jacks were defending 6 attackers in their zone when Boisvert was able to find the puck in the far side circle of his own zone. Boisvert took the opportunity to clear it down the ice, and hit the target for his second goal of the game, team leading 27th of the season.

Gadzhiev (7-4) earned the win by making 39 saves on 42 shots sent his way. Wright (3-1) earns his first USHL loss of the season with 22 saves on 26 shots against.

The Lumberjacks have a home-and-home series next weekend against the USNTDP Under-17 team. Saturday night the teams take to the ice at Trinity Health Arena for Youth Hockey Appreciation Night. The Jacks will wear special jerseys that will be auctioned off post-game. The next day on Sunday the teams head to the east side of the state for a 4 pm game at USA Hockey Arena.

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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United States Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2024


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