USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Drop 7-4 Decision to Dubuque in Weekend Series Opener

Published on October 29, 2021 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Mich. - Despite multiple comeback bids by the Lumberjacks, Muskegon came up short to the Dubuque Fighting Saints by a final score of 7-to-4 from Mercy Health Arena on Friday, Oct. 29. Quinn Hutson scored a pair of goals, while Phil Tresca and Nick Peluso each potted a lamplighter for the Jacks, but the Saints snatched game one of the weekend series.

1st Period

Both teams played a back-and-forth first period to open the series, but it was Dubuque's Stephen Halliday opening the scoring 15:41 into the first period. Connor Kurth picked up the lone assist on Halliday's fourth goal of the season to give the Saints the 1-to-0 lead.

After the first 20 minutes, Dubuque took a 1-to-0 lead into the first intermission.

2nd Period

The second period was the polar opposite of the first as seven combined goals hit the twine between the two teams. The Saints would double their lead while on the power play at 7:52 of the period with Connor Kurth's sixth goal of the year, with the assist from Ryan Beck to push the score to 2-to-0.

Muskegon's Nick Peluso, who recently committed to the University of Maine, broke through for his first career USHL goal at 9:40 to cut the lead in half. Peluso's goal was helped by Quinn Hutson and Ben Strinden.

But the Saints would restore the two-goal lead at 11:06 with William Hallén's first career USHL goal to give Dubuque the 3-to-1 lead. Max Montes would assist on the play.

Just 23 seconds later, Lumberjacks alternate captain Phil Tresca broke free on a breakaway and sniped a wrist shot to put Muskegon within one once again. Tresca's second goal of the season was assisted by Jacob Guevin at 11:29 to make it a 3-to-2 game.

Kurth would net his second goal of the game just under a minute later to put Dubuque back up by two at 12:24 of the second period. Montes picked up his second assist to increase the Saint lead to 4-to-2.

Once again, the Lumberjacks would claw their way back, this time from Quinn Hutson on another breakaway goal at 16:35 of the frame. Guevin also scooped up another assist on the play to make it a one-goal deficit at 4-to-3.

With just over 12 seconds left in the second period, Saints captain Riley Stuart piped on past Muskegon goalie Platon Zadorozhnyy to regain the two-goal lead for Dubuque. Austin Oravetz had the lone assist on the play.

At the end of two periods, Dubuque carried a 5-to-3 into the dressing room.

3rd Period

The Fighting Saints added to their biggest lead of the night at 5:50 of the third with Nikita Borodayenko scoring his second goal of the season. Kenny Connor registered the assist on the play to give Dubuque a 6-to-3 lead.

Quinn Hutson would score his second goal of the game at 10:12 of the third, putting the Lumberjacks within a pair of goals. Ben Strinden got the only assist on Hutson's sixth goal of the year.

With the Lumberjack net empty, any chance of a Muskegon comeback was quickly suppressed with Dubuque's Ryan Beck tucking in his third of the season at 17:30.

In the end, the Dubuque Fighting Saints held on to win their fifth game of the season, taking down the Lumberjacks 7-to-4 in game one of the weekend series.

On Deck

The Muskegon Lumberjacks will return to Mercy Health Arena for game two of the weekend series against the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Saturday, Oct. 30 in downtown Muskegon. Saturday's game will start at 7:10 PM EST with Comic-Con night.

Upcoming Theme Nights - Comic-Con Night

The fun will continue into Saturday, Oct. 30, when the Lumberjacks celebrate Halloween with Comic-Con night! This spooky night will include trick or treating on the concourse and your favorite characters! Grand Rapids Comic-Con will be on the concourse. Call the Muskegon Lumberjacks Business office at (231)-799-7000 or email afranczek@muskegonlumberjacks.com.

Upcoming Games

Sat. Oct. 30 | 7:10 pm EST | vs. Dubuque | Comic-Con Night

Fri. Nov. 5 | 7:10 pm EST | vs. Youngstown | Zooperstars Night

Sat. Nov. 6 | 7:10 pm EST | vs. Youngstown | Military Night

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 29, 2021


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