USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Log: Skate Drive Continues as Jacks Host Pair

Published on January 11, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Mich. (January 11, 2012) - With the infamous lakeshore winter arriving late this year, the debut of the outdoor skating rink in downtown Muskegon has been delayed, but there is a bright side to the unseasonably warm temperatures.

Since the rink, which will be built along Western Ave. between Jefferson and First streets, will not be opening this weekend as scheduled, that gives local hockey fans additional time to donate new or used ice skates during the Lumberjacks' ongoing five-game homestand.

The Jacks host Des Moines Friday and Green Bay Saturday, with both games facing off at 7:15 p.m. at L.C. Walker Arena. Each pair of skates collected will be sharpened, with costs covered by the Muskegon Lumberjacks Charitable Foundation. The skates will then be resold to the public for $5 per pair at the rink kickoff Saturday, Jan. 21.

"Through this skate drive, we hope to be able to supply the area with skates to last at least a full season at a price affordable to all," said Lumberjacks President/COO Tim Taylor. "We wanted to be able to share our love for skating with those along the Muskegon lakeshore."

Anyone who donates skates at this weekend's games will be entered to win use of a 12-person suite for the Red Wings Alumni Game on Saturday, Feb. 11 at L.C. Walker Arena. The lucky winner will also get two passes to a VIP event with players at the Lake House after the game.

The Lumberjacks (9-14-2, 20 points) will be looking to rebound from back-to-back losses as the Western Conference's Des Moines Buccaneers (11-13-3, 25 points) make their only trip to the Port City Friday night. The USHL-leading Green Bay Gamblers (24-5-1, 49 points) then pay their second visit of the season Saturday.

The Meijer Pregame Show begins 30 minutes prior to every opening faceoff on the radio home of your Lumberjacks, 92.5 The Outlaw (925fmtheoutlaw.com). Voice of the Jacks Matt Gajtka will have the play-by-play, with Muskegon hockey patriarch Ron Stephenson providing color analysis.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

Friday, January 13 vs. DES MOINES at 7:15 p.m. - Dollar Beer & Hot Dog Night presented by John Morrell / Offer applies from 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, January 14 vs. GREEN BAY at 7:15 p.m. - Contribute a pair of skates for use at the outdoor rink downtown! Skate drive continues through Thursday, Jan. 19.

Friday, January 20 vs. U.S. NATIONAL TEAM at 7:15 p.m. - Dollar Beer & Hot Dog Night presented by John Morrell / Offer applies from 6-8 p.m.

Saturday, January 21 vs. U.S. NATIONAL TEAM at 7:15 p.m. - Jacks Fight Cancer Night / Visit muskegonlumberjacks.com to find out how to participate as the Lumberjacks team with Mercy Health and the Johnson Family Cancer Center.

JACKS FACTS

After competing with only six regular defensemen for nearly two months, the Jacks received a welcome blueline reinforcement this week as Rasmus Bengtsson arrived from his native Sweden. On loan from professional club Rogle BK, the second-round pick of the Florida Panthers last June stands at 6-foot-2, 196 pounds and comes touted for his offensive skills and solid shot from the point. NHL Central Scouting's midseason rankings were released Wednesday morning and Matt DeBlouw was on the list as expected. The second-year Lumberjacks forward from Chesterfield, Mich., is rated as No. 37 among North American skaters for the 2012 NHL Draft in Pittsburgh. DeBlouw, who has 10 points in 23 games this season, is the ninth-ranked prospect in the USHL; find the whole list at NHL.com. Travis Belohrad and Jordan Masters have each put together five-game point streaks this season, and they could be on the road to challenging those team-best marks again. The two returning Lumberjacks have registered points in the last two games, including Saturday when Masters assisted on Belohrad's opening-minute tally. Des Moines' visit Friday marks the Jacks' only meeting with a Western Conference opponent this month; in fact, after playing the Bucs, Muskegon will take on only East teams for 17 straight games. The Jacks' next foray into the West will be March 2, when they travel to Des Moines.

SCOUTING REPORT:

BUCCANEER BITS

Since the USHL's holiday break, the Buccaneers have posted just one win in five games, going 1-2-2 with a pair of shootout losses thrown in. Like the Lumberjacks, they are searching for their first win of 2012. Des Moines is in fifth place in the tightly-wound West, with last place Tri-City is only three points behind. Second-year Buccaneer Anthony Greco leads the team with 24 points (9 G, 15 A), with Slovenian and fellow USHL sophomore Gasper Kopitar close behind with 18. The younger brother of Los Angeles Kings' star centerman Anze also has 10 goals to pace Des Moines. The lone NHL draft pick on the Buccaneers is goaltender Jason Kasdorf, who was selected by his hometown Winnipeg Jets last summer. The 6-foot-3 prospect has a .902 save percentage and has appeared in 21 of 27 games for Des Moines; his three shutouts tie him with Tri-City's Adam Wilcox for the league lead.

GAMBLERS ANONYMOUS

The Gamblers beat the Lumberjacks twice in a week in late November during a 13-game unbeaten streak (12-0-1), the longest in the USHL this season. Green Bay appears to be getting on a similar roll now, as they've bombed their last three opponents by the combined score of 25-3. Speaking of streaks, Gamblers F Alex Broadhurst has at least a point in 11 straight games, the third-longest run in the league this season. Teammate Nolan LaPorte had a 13-gamer earlier this year; the Western Michigan recruit leads Green Bay with 38 points (18 G, 20 A). Sam Herr, the reigning USHL Offensive Player of the Week, has six goals in his last three games to give him 13 total, behind only LaPorte and Broadhurst (17). Green Bay has netted 133 goals this season for a league-best average of 4.43 per game, almost a full goal more than Indiana's second-ranked offense. The Gamblers' defense has also been excellent, allowing 2.27 goals per contest, the fewest in the USHL. Their blueline is dangerous at both ends, as Jordan Schmaltz, Andy Welinski and Markus Lauridsen are 1-2-3 in defenseman scoring.

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.com to provide video coverage of all league games this season; go to ushl.fasthockey.com to sign up and watch!

TALKIN' 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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United States Hockey League Stories from January 11, 2012


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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