USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Jacks Fall 2-1 in Game 4. Look to Take Care of Business in Game 5 on Friday

April 25, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


GREEN BAY, WI - Looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Final the Muskegon Lumberjacks took the ice on Wednesday night with a 2-1 lead in the Semifinal matchup against the Green Bay Gamblers. A power play goal from the Gamblers with :39 seconds to play in regulation forced game 5 with a 2-1 Green Bay win.

It didn't take long for Green Bay to open the scoring in the first period. Julian Lutz took the puck from the near side corner and walked along the goal line. While Lutz worked towards the net Ben Poitras waited in front for a pass. When his pass came to him in the slot Poitras fired a shot over the blocker for his 3rd goal of the playoffs.

Muskegon responded nine minutes later at the 11:11 mark with a breakaway goal from Joe Connor (Amherst, NH). Matvei Gridin (Kurgan, RUS) gained possession in the middle of the ice and waited for Connor to cut towards the middle of the blue line. As Connor made his move Gridin played a pass that led him between the defense and into the offensive zone. Connor used a wrist shot to beat the netminder and tie the game back up 1-1.

The next goal didn't come until the final :39 seconds of regulation when the Gamblers found themselves on the power play. Blake Bechen held the puck behind the net and played it in front of the crease to a sea of bodies. Jayson Shaugabay found himself among the players in the low slot and found the puck between all the legs. Shaugabay tapped the puck to the back of the net to force the win or go home game 5.

Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) (2-2) played well for the Jacks with 21 saves on 23 shots against but earned the loss on his record. Adam Gajan (2-2) stopped all but one of the Jacks 32 shots for the win.

Game 5 is scheduled for 7 pm EST at Trinity Health Arena on Friday night. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting muskegonlumberjacks.com. Can't make it to the game? Don't worry! Catch the action on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on mixlr.

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 25, 2024


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