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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Hang on Late to Clinch a Playoff Berth with a 4-3 Home

March 23, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan - In the final regular season battle between two Eastern Conference foes, the Muskegon Lumberjacks were able to get some offense early and hold on by the skin of their teeth in the third to hold off the USNTDP Under-18 Team by a 4-3 final tonight at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The Lumberjacks (30-19-10, 70 points) would get on the board first for the night at the 1:21 mark as Michael Brodzinski would wrist home his 15th goal of the season from the point after Chad McDonald had won a faceoff in his offensive zone to make it 1-0.

The score would remain the same until the 13:57 mark when the Under-18 Team would tie the game at 1-1 as Shane Eiserman would force one home for his 4th goal of the season through Lumberjacks Goaltender Kevin Lindskoug's (23-15-6) five-hole that was assisted by Will Butcher and Connor Clifton, who had just come out of the penalty box after serving a two-minute minor for tripping Muskegon's Mason Jobst.

A few minutes later at the 17:34 mark, the Under-18 Team would take the lead at the 2-1 as Tyler Kelleher would backhand his 9th goal of the season under Lindskoug's right armpit that was assisted by Scott Savage and Ryan MacInnis. The Lumberjacks would counter with 28 seconds left in the first period as Joe Cox would tip in his 20th goal of the season with the shaft of his stick off a shot from Jobst past USNTDP Goaltender Blake Weyrick (2-3-1) to tie the game at 2-2. Cullen Hurley would get the second assist on the Cox goal.

In the second period, the Lumberjacks would apply more offensive pressure beginning at the 6:03 mark as Frederik Tiffels would get his 3rd goal of the season as he swatted home his own rebound in front of the USNTDP goal crease to give Muskegon their second lead of the night at 3-2. Connor Hurley and Rasmus Bengtsson would get the helpers on the Tiffels goal.

Shortly after at the 9:34 mark, Muskegon would double their lead to 4-2 on the power play as Adam Gilmour would corral a loose puck in the low slot and fire it over Weyrick's glove hand for his 19th goal of the season. Connor Hurley and McDonald would get the assists on the Gilmour rope.

The USNTDP Under-18 Team (18-30-5, 41 points) would continue to battle back and make it a 4-3 game at the 12:46 mark of the middle frame as Michael McCarron would fire one home off a Lumberjacks defender and into the net for his 5th goal of the season that was assisted by Dawson Cook and Eiserman.

The score would remain the same deep into the third period as Lindskoug and the Lumberjacks' defense would hold on for dear life as the Under-18 Team would continue to fire shots from every angle on net. Connor Hurley would be sent to the penalty box with 1:41 to go in regulation and eventually force a six-on-four power play for the rest of regulation as the Under-18 Team would pull Weyrick for the extra attacker with 45 seconds to go.

In the end, Muskegon would hold off the late USNTDP charge and hang on for the hard-earned 4-3 victory to clinch their second playoff berth in franchise history.

The Under-18 Team outshot the Lumberjacks for the night, 50-25, and Lindskoug was able to save 46 of them to earn his 23rd win of the season. Weyrick saved 21 of 25 shots for the Under-18 Team, which was also led offensively by Shane Eiserman with a goal and an assist. The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Chad McDonald and Connor Hurley with two assists each as four different players tallied a goal tonight. Joe Cox's goal tonight now ties him for the team lead in goals scored with teammate Brian Morgan. The Lumberjacks finish the regular season going 7-1-0 against the USNTDP program (3-1-0 against the Under-18 Team).

The Lumberjacks will continue their seven-game home stand next Friday night for a 7:15 pm puck drop against the Chicago Steel. Next Friday's game will feature Epilepsy Awareness Night along with the return of our "Rock the Arena" promotion presented by Rock 101.7 FM where from 6:15 to 7:30 pm, Rolling Beer will be sold for only $2 in select concession stand areas. Tickets will be on sale all next week for the low price of $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12 if they are purchased before the day of the game. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com or by calling (231) 724-JACK (5225).

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 23, 2013


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