USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Jacks Come All the Way Back to Beat Chicago 5-3

Published on February 3, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


GENEVA, IL - The Muskegon Lumberjacks (23-24-1-1, 48 pts.) had a tough task ahead of them on Saturday night with a matchup against the red-hot Chicago Steel (15-18-3-2, 30 pts.). Despite trailing big early, the Jacks were able to score 4 straight goals to pick up the win.

It was a quick start to the game for the Steel jumping out to a 3-0 lead within the first 7 minutes. Ben Wilmott scored first by finding a rebound in front of the net and tapping it to the back of it just 2:14 after the first puck drop. Just 45 seconds later Thor Byfuglien received a pass in the middle of the slot from Tobia Ohman and used his good positioning to rip a shot into the net. Mick Thompson then scored his goal at the 6:50 mark after Michael Hage took the puck away from a Lumberjack at center ice and split the defenseman on his way towards the crease. Hage was pushed off possession when he got the to the net, but Thompson joined the effort and met the puck backdoor for the easy goal.

Following a Jacks timeout the tide had turned, and Muskegon began to build momentum. A shot blocked at the top of the Muskegon zone sent Cody Croal (North Branch, MN) on a breakaway behind the Chicago defense. Croal protected the puck on his backhand before moving to his forehand and roofing a shot over the goalie's shoulder for his 15th goal of the season at the 14:28 mark.

The momentum built up at the end of the first period carried over into the second with a 3 goal frame for the Lumberjacks to comeback and carry a lead into the second intermission. The first goal came at the 4:33 mark and belonged to Sacha Boisvert (Trois-Rivieres, QC, CAN). The puck came off the nearside wall in the Chicago zone to the middle of the ice and Ethan Whitcomb (St. Catherines, ON, CAN). Whitcomb held the puck for a moment but was tangled up with an opponent so he left it for Boisvert. The Lumberjack's leading goal scorer added his 22nd of the season by stickhandling the puck in tight to his body and around Steel defenseman before finding a way to tuck the puck into the net.

Halfway through the period the Jacks tied the game 3-3 when Cameron Aucoin (Chicago, IL.) sent a shot on net that produced a rebound. Justin Solovey (Holmdel, NJ) met the puck at the side of the net and took a couple of shots on net. Despite being turned aside on his first attempt Solovey was able to get the puck past the goalie for his 14th goal of the season.

Then, before the end of the period while on a power play the Lumberjacks struck again to take a 4-3 lead. Matvei Gridin (Kurgan, RUS) got the puck to Joe Connor (Amherst, NH) who carried it to the nearside wall of the offensive zone. Connor turned and sent a pass to the middle of the ice for Whitcomb who pulled a toe drag around a defenseman, pushed the puck back onto his forehand, and roofed it for his 12th goal of the season, 2nd point of the night.

Only one goal came in the third period, and it was an empty netter for Boisvert to put the icing on the game. Boisvert's 23rd goal of the season was also the second point of the night for Solovey.

Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) (4-4) entered in relief in the first period, and stopped all 17 shots he faced to earn the win. Louka Cloutier (8-9-2) earned the loss despite stopping 26 of 30 shots taken by the Lumberjacks.

The two game road trip comes to a close tomorrow afternoon when the Lumberjacks face off against the Madison Capitols at 3:05 pm CST (4:05 pm EST) at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena.

Catch the action on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on Mixlr. Follow the Jacks on social media @muskegonjacks on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and @muskegonlumberjacks on Tik Tok for new content every week!

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 3, 2024


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