USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lomberg Beats the Buzzer for Lumberjacks

Published on January 20, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - The sport of hockey doesn't lend itself to buzzer beaters, but Ryan Lomberg found a way to do it.

Lomberg's breakaway goal with five seconds remaining in the third propelled the Muskegon Lumberjacks to a remarkable 4-3 win over the U.S. National Under-17 Team Friday night at L.C. Walker Arena. Muskegon snapped a four-game losing streak and an 0-4-2 skid in Head Coach Jim McKenzie's debut behind the bench.

It may not have been exactly how McKenzie imagined starting his USHL career, but the thrilling finish gave the 15-year NHL veteran his first coaching win. Defenseman Mark Yanis' tying shorthanded goal with 6:38 left made Lomberg's winner possible.

Seeking their first win since Dec. 18, the Lumberjacks (10-16-2, 22 points) built a 2-0 advantage on goals by Dakota Klecha and Ryan Bullock through two periods. But the National Team surged into the lead with three goals a little more than six minutes apart early in the third.

With Dean Pawlaczyk in the penalty box, though, Yanis leaned into a heavy slapshot that beat National Team goalie Hunter Miska past the blocker. Yanis' fourth goal of the season was the Lumberjacks' third shorthanded goal of the season, all in the last five games.

The two sides appeared headed for overtime, but the Nationals got a bit sloppy at their own blue line in the final seconds. Lomberg, who had two outstanding shorthanded chances denied earlier in the third, swooped in to steal the puck with a clear lane to the net.

The University of Maine recruit deked to his backhand and sneaked the puck between Miska's legs, triggering a thunderous celebration on the ice and among the 2,037 in attendance. Muskegon's regulation win helped them gain two points on the National Team in the standings, as opposed to just one with an OT or shootout victory.

Lomberg finished with a goal and an assist, stretching his point streak to a Lumberjacks' season-long five games. Bullock has now scored in three in a row.

The story through two periods was staunch positional play by the Jacks and the goaltending of John Keeney, who made 23 saves through 40 minutes to stay on track for his third shutout of the season.

Nick Seeler set up Klecha for his team-leading 10th goal of the season with the Jacks on the power play late in the first period. Seeler made a slick pass from behind the National Team net to a wide-open Klecha at the right circle.

Second-year Muskegon defenseman Travis Walsh, playing his 100th USHL contest, picked up the second assist on the play. He also assisted on Yanis' tying goal, giving him his second multipoint game of the year.

Bullock made it 2-0 with 6:22 gone in the second period, rifling an accurate wrist shot over Miska's glove from the right-wing wall. Bullock returned to action after a suspension sidelined Muskegon's most prolific blueliner for the last three games.

Andrew Copp broke the ice for the visitors 2:54 into the third, as he ripped the puck under the crossbar during a 2-on-2 counterattack. Tyler Kelleher extended his scoring streak to four when he deflected Anthony Louis' power-play shot, knotting the game 2-2 less than two minutes later.

Evan Allen beat Keeney from the right circle at 9:09 of the third, off a headman pass from Tyler Motte that sent him in alone. The National Team had their first lead of the night, but it only lasted about four minutes before Yanis equalized.

Muskegon and the National Team will meet again Saturday at 7:15 p.m. on Jacks Fight Cancer Night; visit muskegonlumberjacks.com to get involved. All proceeds will benefit the Johnson Family Cancer Center at Mercy Health Partners. Call the L.C. Walker Arena box office at 231.724.JACK(5225) for Lumberjacks tickets and information, or visit startickets.com or go to your local Meijer.

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United States Hockey League Stories from January 20, 2012


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