Lumberjacks Log: Green Bay Rematch Highlights Holiday Weekend
Published on November 23, 2011 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, Mich. (November 23, 2011) - On this Thanksgiving week, the Muskegon Lumberjacks have at least one hockey-related blessing to be grateful for: a hasty rematch with the Green Bay Gamblers.
Six days after the Gamblers put an abrupt stop to their three-game winning streak, the Lumberjacks (7-7-0, 14 points) get a second crack at the league's best team as part of a two-game weekend road trip within the Eastern Conference.
Appropriately, the visiting Jacks will be decked out in their black jerseys on Black Friday, as they look to even the season series with Green Bay. Faceoff at the Resch Center is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Eastern time.
The Gamblers (12-3-0, 24 points) scored three in the second period and three in the third last Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena to hand the Jacks a 6-0 loss, their first in four games.
"Green Bay got some 'puck luck' on their first goal, and we didn't do a good job responding to that," said Jacks Head Coach/GM Kevin Patrick. "We need to learn from that and be better in the face of adversity."
Last weekend began much better than it ended. Friday featured a 37-save effort from goalie John Keeney as the Lumberjacks shut out Tri-City 2-0 in front of an excitable Dollar Beer/Dollar Hot Dog Night congregation. It was the first shutout of the season for the Jacks and the fourth time in seven contests they held their opponent to one goal or fewer.
"John was outstanding and did a great job not leaving any rebounds available," Patrick said. "The entire team managed the puck well and prevented Tri-City from getting too many easy chances."
Even after the Green Bay loss, Muskegon has still won six of its last eight to transform a 1-5-0 start into a .500 record and a four-point lead on Chicago for sixth place in the East. The Steel (5-11-0, 10 points) have lost five in a row and seven of eight, a plunge that began when the Jacks slammed them 5-1 Oct. 29 in the Port City.
The Steel, presently in the midst of a seven-game homestand, claimed the first two of the eight-game season series with the Jacks. A Muskegon win would not only even the score with Chicago 2-2, but also keep the Steel in the Lumberjacks' rearview mirror.
The puck drops Saturday between the Jacks and Steel at 8:05 p.m. from the Edge Ice Arena, with the Meijer Pregame Show starting approximately 30 minutes prior on the radio home of your Lumberjacks, 92.5 FM The Outlaw.
JACKS FACTS
* The Muskegon penalty kill finally had a hiccup Saturday against Green Bay. After extinguishing 35 of 36 opposing power plays, the Jacks gave up two man-advantage goals to the Gamblers, the first time they've allowed more than one since Oct. 23 at Chicago. Muskegon currently has the eighth-best PK in the league at 82.2 percent. * Thanks to Keeney's big performance against Tri-City, the Jacks now have a shutout, but there are still zeroes in other notable team categories. Muskegon is one of four clubs yet to score a shorthanded goal (Chicago is another), one of six not to take part in a shootout (Green Bay is another) and one of four teams not to skate in overtime. * With three meetings already played in the first 14 games, the Lumberjacks and Steel are already well acquainted. Dakota Klecha has four of his team-best seven goals against Chicago; Ryan Lomberg has two of four total goals and three points vs. the Steel. Paul Berrafato stopped 17 of 18 shots in a 5-1 home win Oct. 29.
SCOUTING REPORT: GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS
* Green Bay has scored the most goals in the league (3.93 per game), but the Gamblers spread out their production quite evenly. Nolan LaPorte and Kyle Novak enter the week tied for the team points lead with 16, but they are followed closely by Alex Broadhurst and Danish defenseman Markus Lauridsen (12 each), rookie Sheldon Dries (11) and blueliner Andy Welinski. All of the above had at least one point last Saturday in Muskegon. * Sharp starts have been key to the Gamblers' early success, as they have deposited the first goal of a game 11 times, the best total in the league. Unsurprisingly considering their record, the Green Bay icers have won 10 of the 11 times they've scored first. * Adam Wilcox got credit for the shutout in Muskegon last weekend, but he was traded to Tri-City Monday for a first-round USHL draft pick. That leaves the crease to third-year Gambler Ryan McKay, who has only started six games this season but leads the league in goals-against average (1.67) and save percentage (.934).
STEEL CAGE MATCH
* In the midst of a 1-7-0 slump, the Steel have seen an offense that averaged well more than three goals per game through the first eight almost completely dry up. Chicago has only netted 15 goals in its last eight contests, scoring more than two just once, a 5-3 win at Des Moines Nov. 5. * Goal prevention has also gone south for the Steel, who have allowed fewer than three goals just twice. In fact, Chicago has yet to limit an opponent to one goal, let alone record a shutout. It's hard to blame Swedish goalie Mathias Dahlstrom, who still sports a .905 save percentage despite his team allowing 34.6 shots per game, the second-highest average in the USHL. * Forward Jimmy DeVito has six points and a plus-5 rating in three games against Muskegon, including a four-point effort in a 7-4 Chicago victory Oct. 23. Andrew Miller recorded his first of back-to-back hat tricks that Sunday afternoon. Dahlstrom has started in both wins over the Jacks.
UPCOMING HOME GAMES ***Cans From Fans food drive continues Dec. 2-3! Get a free Dec. 18 game ticket when contributing three or more non-perishable items.*** Friday, December 2 vs. YOUNGSTOWN at 7:15 p.m. - Dollar Beer/Dollar Hot Dog Night presented by John Morrell (While supplies last; Offer applies 6-8 p.m.) Saturday, December 3 vs. YOUNGSTOWN at 7:15 p.m. - Star Wars Night featuring appearance from Ewok actor Felix Silla Saturday, December 10 vs. OMAHA at 7:15 p.m. - Teddy Bear Toss
FOLLOW THE JACKS ALL SEASON
92.5 FM The Outlaw is the exclusive radio home of your Muskegon Lumberjacks! Listen over the air or check out the action streaming online at 925fmtheoutlaw.com as Voice of the Jacks Matt Gajtka has the play-by-play. The USHL is also partnering with FASTHockey to provide video coverage of all league games this season; go to ushl.fasthockey.com to sign up and watch!
TALKIN' LUMBERJACKS HOCKEY
JackSixty presented by Cinema Carousel is a weekly hour-long talk show devoted to your Muskegon Lumberjacks every Tuesday night from 6-7 p.m. at Hennessy's Irish Pub & Restaurant. Located at the corner of Jefferson and Clay Streets in the heart of Muskegon, Hennessy's plays host as Gajtka talks hockey with head coach Kevin Patrick, various players and other featured guests on 98.3 FM WLCS!
THE SOCIAL NETWORKS Never go hungry for Jacks news: "Like" the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Facebook and follow "@MuskegonJacks" on Twitter to stay plugged into the Jacks 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, find the Jacks' exclusive YouTube channel at youtube.com/MuskegonJacks!
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- Lumberjacks Log: Green Bay Rematch Highlights Holiday Weekend - Muskegon Lumberjacks
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