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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Jacks Host USNTDP Under-18, Then Travel to Chicago Weekend of September 29th & 30th

September 29, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON - Coming off a split at the 2023 Dick's Sporting Goods Fall Classic the Muskegon Lumberjacks return home for their first home game of the new season with the annual Kids Day game on Friday morning against the USA Hockey's NTDP Under-18 team. Saturday evening the Jacks close the weekend with a road game against the Chicago Steel in Geneva, IL.

Two Games, Two Different Stories in Pittsburgh

At the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, PA the Lumberjacks finished on both ends of blowouts in their two contests at the USHL's kick off event. First, on Saturday afternoon the Jacks offense came to play with a commanding 6-2 win over the Omaha Lancers.

Looking to start strong against last season's last place team in the Western Conference Muskegon was able to find the back of the net six times in a big victory in the first game of the Fall Classic. Matvei Gridin recorded 4 points on 3 goals and 1 assist in the win. New Lumberjack Paxton Geisel earned the start and impressed with 33 saves on the 35 shots he faced from the Lancers.

The game featured new faces on both sides with Geisel making his first career start in a Lumberjacks uniform after spending the past two seasons with the Dubuque Fighting Saints, and David Klee wearing black and gold for the first time instead of the black and red he wore during the 2022-23 season with the Waterloo Black Hawks. A number of players made their USHL debuts for Muskegon including Russian born defenseman Mikhail Katin who showed his strong 200-foot game.

Saturday was a different story for Muskegon. Lucas Szyszka started the game in the crease for the Jacks and lasted halfway through the contest with the Muskegon defense unable to keep the Dubuque Fight Saints attack out of high scoring opportunities. After a tightly contested first period the Fighting Saints picked up the 8-3 victory to send the Lumberjacks back to Muskegon with a 1-1 record.

Atop the Tables

Gridin, a 2006 birthyear from Kurgan, Russia impressed scouts from all 32 National Hockey League teams in attendance at the Fall Classic with a 4 point performance against the Lancers, and an assist in the game on Sunday against the Fighting Saints. Gridin's 5 points helps him to a share of first place in the USHL alongside NTDP players Cole Eiserman and Logan Hensler. The left-handed forward is eligible for the 2024 NHL draft this coming offseason.

Coaching Makes a Difference

The Lumberjacks made an addition to the coaching staff during the offseason bringing in new assistant coach Evan Trupp. The former professional hockey player took over the running of Muskegon's power play units and has already seen dividends. Throughout the first week of games Muskegon holds a USHL top-5 power play with the 4th best 30% (3-for-10). CJ Kusch, the longest tenured coach for the Jacks is responsible for the penalty kill which also impressed during the Fall Classic with a 9-for-12 (75%) success rate.

Friday Morning Matchup

If you had to sum up the NTDP's opening week in two words, it would be "goal scoring". The program scored a combined 13 goals in 2 games while at the Fall Classic. Cole Eiserman and Logan Hensler led the team with 5 points in the games, while Christian Humphreys and James Hagens followed with 4 points each.

Nick Kempf and Jack Parsons split goaltending duties each picking up wins to start the year. Parsons played on Saturday against the Fighting Saints picking up a 6-5 overtime win. Kempf meanwhile manned the crease during a 7-2 blowout of the Omaha Lancers.

Saturday's Game in Geneva

Last season's Eastern Conference #1 seed heading into the Clark Cup Playoffs, the Chicago Steel also split their two games at the Fall Classic. In their first matchup against the Sioux City Musketeers the Steel came back from 2-0 deficit to pick up a 3-2 overtime win. Three different Steel players scored including Charlie Major who potted the overtime winner.

Friday's matchup against the Lincoln Stars didn't go as planned for the Steel falling 3-1. Reid Conn got Chicago on the board in the third period to bring the game back to within a single goal, but an empty net goal for the Stars late in regulation put an end to the Steel comeback efforts.

Looking Ahead

The Lumberjacks have just one game during week three of the USHL regular season. Saturday, October 7th the Chicago Steel come to Trinity Health Arena for the Jack's home opener, and the 3rd annual Flaunt Your Flannel Festival. Enjoy live music, great food, axe throwing, and so much more starting at 4 pm on Western Avenue in front of the arena. The festival is open to the public, but be sure to get your tickets for the game starting at 7 pm as the Jacks take on the Steel inside Trinity Health Arena.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting www.muskegonlumberjacks.com or at the Box Office open on game days.

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United States Hockey League Stories from September 29, 2023


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