Late Comeback Not Enough in 4-3 Loss to Madison
March 1, 2024 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, MI - For the final time in the regular season the Muskegon Lumberjacks (28-17-1-1, 58 pts.) took to the ice against the Madison Capitols (21-19-4-2, 48 pts.) at Trinity Health Arena on Friday night. A slow start leading to a 2-0 Madison Lead set the tone for a 4-3 loss for Muskegon.
It didn't take long for the Capitols to find the back of the net. Just 1:09 into the contest Shawn Ramsey sent a shot from the blue line that had eyes through traffic and landed on the stick of Max Nagel in front. Showing off his patience Nagel moved left to right across the top of the crease before lifting the puck into the top of the net.
Just two minutes later the Caps struck again. This time Diego Jonson stripped the puck away from the Lumberjacks defense at the top of the zone then worked in on goal with the puck on his forehand. Johnson beat the netminder for the second goal of his young USHL career.
Coming out of the first intermission Madison used a power play to extend the lead to 3-0. Waiting at the top of the near side circle Austin Burnevik received a pass and used a screen on front to allow him a clean shooting lane to the far top corner for his first goal of the game at the 7:19 mark of the second period.
Muskegon responded with a power play goal of their own. Cody Croal (North Branch, MN) was at the top of the far side circle when Justin Solovey (Holmdel, NJ) gave him a pass from the lower portion of the wall. As Croal took a step towards the net he fired a quick release shot past the netminder to make it 3-1 with just over eight and a half minutes left in the middle stanza.
Burnevik scored again in the third period at the 3:43 point this time while at even strength. With not one, but two Lumberjacks covering him Burnevik cut towards the middle of the slot from the far side and ripped a shot to the back of the net for his second of the game, and to pull within just one of the USHL league lead with 31.
The Jacks scored twice in the comeback effort. First, at the 9:03 mark Matvei Gridin (Kurgan, RUS) got a pass at the nearside of the net from David Klee (Castle Rock, CO) below the goal line. Gridin tucked the puck between the goalie and post. The original call on the ice was no goal, but after a video review it was deemed the puck crossed the goal line for his 26th goal of the season and to pull the Jacks to within a pair.
Gridin scored again with just under a minute remaining. Cooper Pierson (Zionsville, IN) won a faceoff on the nearside to Sacha Boisvert (Trois-Rivieres, QC, CAN) who slid the puck across the zone to Gridin. After a quick step towards the net Gridin fired a shot to the back of it for his second goal of the game, 27th of the season.
With his two-point performance Gridin moves into sole possession of first in the USHL for points with 61.
Despite the strong effort late in the game the Lumberjacks were unable to tie the game enroute to the loss.
Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) (9-6-0-0) earned the loss on his record with 19 saves on 23 shots against. Carsen Musser (12-9-2-2) kept his team alive with 37 saves on 40 shots against in the winning effort.
The Jacks take to the ice tomorrow night against the Waterloo Black Hawks at Trinity Health Arena. The game can be found on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on Mixlr.
For schedules, scores, updates, and more visit muskegonlumberjacks.com. Check out the Jacks on social media @muskegonjacks on Instagram and X, @muskegonlumberjacks on TikTok for special content!
• Discuss this story on the United States Hockey League message board...
United States Hockey League Stories from March 1, 2024
- Phantoms Fall Short to Dubuque 6-4 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Late Comeback Not Enough in 4-3 Loss to Madison - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Herd Slay Force in 5-2 Win - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Fighting Saints Fight for Friday-Night Win - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- A Familiar Number Against NTDP - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Saints Fight for 6-4 Win in Youngstown - Dubuque Fighting Saints
- Gameday Preview - Lincoln Stars
- Storm Set For Three-Game Weekend Against Stars - Tri-City Storm
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
