Jacks Close American Cup with 3-2 Loss to Youngstown
December 1, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
ROCHESTER, NY - Following a 6-2 win on Thursday night the Muskegon Lumberjacks (13-8-1-1, 26 pts.) returned to the Tim Hortons Iceplex to close out the American Cup against the Youngstown Phantoms (14-5-2-0, 30 pts.). A two-goal lead gained in the second period went the distance to earn Youngstown the 3-2 win.
For the second time in as many nights the Lumberjacks opened the scoring. This time Matvei Gridin (Kurgan, RUS) carried the puck from below the circles in his own zone all the way to the top of the offensive zone circles before ripping a shot under the blocker of Colin Winn.
Youngstown tied the game up at the 10:17 mark thanks to a goal from Miles Gunty. Defenseman Luke Osburn carried the puck down the far side wall in the offensive zone and sent a tough angle shot on net. A rebound popped in front to the stick of Gunty who tapped it to the back of the net for his second goal of the weekend.
Muskegon regained the lead ahead of the first intermission at the 14:31 mark with a breakaway goal from Joe Connor (Amherst, NH). A dump in attempt was gloved down by Jack's defenseman Ryan Koering (Eden Prairie, MN) who chipped the puck up the middle of the ice to Connor. In one motion the future Northeastern Husky protected the puck and went backhand, forehand, backhand to beat Winn and regain the Jacks lead.
A pair of goals for the Phantoms in the second period helped them tie then gain their first lead of the weekend. Andrew Strathman sent a long shot on net that was redirected by Braiden Clark to the back of it to tie the game 2-2 at the 6:29 mark of the Frame. Gunty added his second goal of the game with 3 minutes to play in the period to give Youngstown a 3-2 lead ahead of the second intermission.
The second period lead wound up being enough for the Phantoms to pick up the win. A late power play for the Lumberjacks gave hope to a comeback effort, but a desperation save in the final 10 seconds from Winn kept the 3-2 lead intact.
For the second straight night the Lumberjacks went with Lukas Swedin (5-3-1-0) who stopped 25 of the 28 shots sent his way in the loss. Winn (4-2-1-0) earned the win by stopping 36 of the Lumberjacks 38 shots.
Muskegon continues the road trip next weekend in Sioux Falls with two games against the Sioux Falls Stampede. Catch the action on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey. Follow the Lumberjacks on social media @muskegonjacks for game updates and more!
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United States Hockey League Stories from December 1, 2023
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