USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Jacks Slow Start Leads to 2-1 Loss against Des Moines

Published on February 2, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - Looking to make it 3 straight wins the Muskegon Lumberjacks (21-13-1-1, 44 pts.) took to the ice at Trinity Health Arena on Friday night for a matchup against the Western Conference's Des Moines Buccaneers (13-19-4-0, 30 pts.). Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) played will between the pipes for Muskegon, but the offense provided little help in the 2-1 loss.

Des Moines opened the scoring 6:22 into the opening period when Liam Watkins stripped a Lumberjacks of the puck in the middle of the Jacks defensive zone slot and ripped a shot into the top portion of the net for his 6th goal of the season.

Trailing shots 17-10 after the opening period the Lumberjacks were able to build some momentum in the offensive zone in the second frame but were unable to figure out the riddle that was Jonathan Reinholdt in the crease for the Bucs. Gadzhiev's strong play continued from the first to the second period, and neither team found the back of the net in the second period.

In an effort to come back the offense for the Lumberjacks woke up in the third period, and started to get shots onto the Des Moines net, and at the 3:02 mark of the third it was able to get one across the goal line. While on their only power play of the game Ethan Whitcomb (St. Catherines, ON, CAN) worked the puck up the near side wall to Xavier Veilleux (L'Annciene-Lorrette, QC, CAN) at the blue line. Veilleux took a step to the middle of the ice before sending a pass across the zone to Matvei Gridin (Kurgan, RUS) on the far side. Gridin fired a shot that was blocked in front, but the rebound dropped right to the stick of David Klee (Castle Rock, CO) who tapped it home for his 10th goal of the campaign, and to tie the game 1-1.

Not too long afterwards though the Bucs regained their lead when they won an Adam Zlinka took the puck off an offensive zone faceoff and slid it to Aiden VanRooyan at the blue line. VanRooyan fired a shot to the low far pad that Gadzhiev stopped, but Ashton Dahms was able to release from his net front battle to find the puck and lift the rebound to the back of the net for the eventual game winner.

Gadzhiev (3-3-0-0) was the third star of the game by making 34 saves on 36 shots against, though earned the loss on his record. Reinholdt (3-5-4-0) stopped 39 of the 40 shots taken by the Lumberjacks earning him the game's second star, and a win on his record.

The Jacks continue the three game weekend tomorrow night with a 7 p.m. matchup against the Lincoln Stars. It is Throwback Night at Trinity Health Arena, and the Lumberjacks will be wearing special Muskegon Mohawks themed jerseys that are being auctioned off online.

For tickets, and more information on the jersey auction visit muskegonlumberjacks.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the box office inside the VanDyke Mortgage Convention Center starting at 12 o'clock noon on game day.

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 2, 2024


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