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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Fall in 9-8 Shootout Thriller to Team USA U18

February 4, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


Muskegon Lumberjacks forward David Hymovitch (left) vs. Team USA
Muskegon Lumberjacks forward David Hymovitch (left) vs. Team USA
(Muskegon Lumberjacks)

PLYMOUTH, Mich. - For the 13th consecutive game, the Muskegon Lumberjacks collected at least one point as they eventually fell in a shootout to Team USA U18 bu a final score of 9-to-8 on Friday, Feb. 4 from USA Hockey Arena. Phil Tresca and Quinn Hutson each score two goals, with Tyler Hotson, Jake Richard, Jake Braccini, and Ben Strinden all lighting the lamp in the seesaw battle. After banking another point in the standings, the Lumberjacks are now tied with the Chicago Steel for first place in the Eastern Conference with 50 points.

1st Period

It would be the Lumberjacks drawing first blood with Phil Tresca scoring the first goal of the game at 9:29 of the first period to make it a 1-to-0 lead. Tresca's 20th goal of the season was assisted by Jake Richard and Jack Williams.

Just 42 seconds later, Tyler Hotson doubled the Lumberjacks lead to 2-to-0 with his sixth goal of the season at 10:11 of the first period. Noah Ellis and Nathan McBrayer scored assists.

At 11:57, Tresca would add another to make it a 3-to-0 lead for Muskegon, scoring his second of the game and 21st of the season. Jake Richard and Jack Williams picked up apples on the play.

While on the power play, Team USA got one back from Cutter Gauthier at 17:41 of the first period to put one on the board for the U18's. Logan Cooley and Seamus Casey picked up assists to make it a 3-to-1 game, still in favor of Muskegon.

Through 20 minutes of action, the Lumberjacks controlled a 3-to-1 lead heading into the first intermission.

2nd Period

It only took 31 seconds for Team USA to clock in to put themselves within a goal from Rutger McGroarty. Devin Kaplan and Charlie Stramel scored assists to make it a 3-to-2 score.

At 1:07 of the second, the U18's came back to even the score with Cutter Gauthier's second of the game to tie the game 3-to-3. Gauthier's 11th of the season was helped by Logan Cooley and Lane Hutson.

However, the Jacks would regain the lead at 6:24 after a Jake Richard power play goal to give Muskegon the 4-to-3 advantage. Noah Ellis picked up the lone assist.

The Lumberjacks would restore the two-goal lead after a rocket from Quinn Hutson at 7:58 of the second period. Joey Larson would net the only assist on Hutson's 21st goal of the season to give the Jacks the 5-to-3 lead.

The U18's would claw back within one again with Cutter Gauthier completing the hat trick at 10:22 of the second. Gauthier's third of the game and 12th of the season was assisted by Logan Cooley and Lane Hutson to make it a 5-to-4 score.

Team USA completed the comeback for the second time this period via Isaac Howard's fifth lamplighter of the year to tie the game 5-to-5 at 12:02 of the second period. Howard's goal was assisted by Seamus Casey and Frank Nazar.

The Lumberjacks would pull in front once again after Jake Braccini untied the game at 15:21 of the second to give the Lumberjacks a 6-to-5 lead. Braccini's 17th of the season was assisted by Tyler Hotson and Jacob Guevin.

After two full periods of play, the Lumberjacks remained in front by one goal, leading 6-to-5.

3rd Period

Quinn Hutson would pick up his second goal of the game and 22nd of the season at 5:44 into the third period to restore the two-goal lead for the Jacks. Hutson's goal was assisted by Ben Strinden while on the power play to give Muskegon a 7-to-5 lead.

Rutger McGroarty would pull Team USA within a goal after a shorthanded bid at 9:25 of the third period. McGroarty's sixth of the season was assisted by Ryan Chesley to make it a 7-to-6 score.

At 11:32, Devin Kaplan tied the game for Team USA for the third time in the game, leveling the score 7-to-7 in the third period. Kaplan's third of the season was assisted by Rutger McGroarty.

Team USA held their first lead of the game at 12:44 of the third after Cole Spicer's seventh of the season to give the U18's an 8-to-7 lead. Spicer's goal was assisted by Lane Hutson and Jimmy Snuggerud.

But the lead would not last as Muskegon's Ben Strinden tied the game with a shorthanded goal at 17:56 of regulation. Strinden's 18th of the season was assisted by Phil Tresca and Nathan McBrayer to tie the game 8-to-8.

With both teams knotted up at 8-to-8, an extra session was needed to declare the winner.

Overtime

No team could find the back of the net in five-minute three-on-three overtime, so they extended the contest into a best-of-three shootout to decide the winner.

Shootout

Muskegon Team USA

Jake Richard - missed Rutger McGroarty - mieesed

Quinn Hutson - missed Isaac Howard - scored

David Hymovitch - missed X

On Deck

The Lumberjacks are due back at home to open a two-game weekend series against the Madison Capitols on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 11 and 12, respectively. Both games will start at 7:00 pm EST from Mercy Health Arena in downtown Muskegon.

Upcoming Theme Nights - Police & Fire Night/Mascot Mania

On Friday, Feb. 11, it's Police & Fire Night! The Lumberjacks invite you to come out and honor the guns and hoses! A night to thank our local heroes for all they do to keep us safe day in and day out. The following night, on Saturday, Feb. 12, it's Mascot Mania! Jack and Timber are inviting all of their mascot buddies from around the state for a party at Mercy Health Arena! For more information, call the Muskegon Lumberjacks Business office at (231)-799-7000 or email afranczek@muskegonlumberjacks.com.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics




Images from this story

Muskegon Lumberjacks forward David Hymovitch (left) vs. Team USA
Muskegon Lumberjacks forward David Hymovitch (left) vs. Team USA
   



United States Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2022


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