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Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Run out of Steam Late, Fall in Ann Arbor to Under-18 Team

October 20, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


ANN ARBOR, Michigan (October 20th) - In their third game in as many days, the Muskegon Lumberjacks were able to go toe-to-toe for most of the game against some of the United States' best junior hockey players, but they ran out steam late as the USNTDP Under-18 squad scored three third period goals to pull away with a 7-3 victory this afternoon at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.

The USNTDP Under-18 Team (7-4-1, 15 points) struck first in the game with a pair of goals in the first half of the opening period to take a 2-0 lead with markers from Jack Eichel (3:50 mark) and Dylan Pavelek (9:37 mark). Alex Tuch and Sonny Milano were credited with the assists on Eichel's first goal of the game, while Ryan Wagner and Shane Gersich had the helpers on the Pavelek tally.

The Lumberjacks (5-4-1, 11 points) fought back and cut the deficit to one goal before the first intermission with a power play strike from Carson Gatt for his first career USHL off a rebound from the left point that was assisted by Connor Hurley at the 16:27 mark.

The score held into the first intermission as the Under-18 Team held the shot advantage through the first 20 minutes, 11-9.

The Under-18's continued to bolster their lead as they made it a 3-1 game just 1:25 into the second period on the power play from Tuch for his first of two on the afternoon that was assisted by Jack Dougherty. Muskegon countered back again and made it a 3-2 game at the 9:19 mark back on the power play from Matt Iacopelli for his fifth goal of the season as he was able to muscle the puck home past Edwin Minney (2-0-1) while parked in front of the goal crease.

The Under-18 squad continued to regain their to two-goal lead as they made it a 4-2 game with 4:23 left in the second period with Eichel's second of the game from Tuch and Brandon Fortunato. The shots would be even through the first 40 minutes at 22 each.

Muskegon continued to show no quit getting the deficit back to one at the 8:37 mark of the third period with Iacopelli's second of the afternoon and sixth of the season as he ripped a shot from the right point past Minney that was assisted by Luke Sandler.

However, the second half of the final frame belonged to the Under-18 squad as they laced the final three goals of the afternoon to pull away in the end. Tuch scored his second of the game on the power play at the 11:20 mark from Milano and Fortunato followed by a marker from Eichel for his hat trick at the 15:39 mark from Milano and Tuch to quickly make it a 6-3 game.

The scoring was capped off by another power play strike this time from Louis Belpedio that was assisted by Jack Glover and Gersich with 2:58 left in regulation to blossom the lead to 7-3 in favor of the home team.

The Under-18 Team outshot Muskegon on the afternoon, 33-29, and Edwin Minney stopped 26 shots for his second USHL victory of the season. Jordan Uhelski (2-2-1) also made 26 saves for the game in the road loss. Five out of the ten goals scored between the two teams came on the power play. The Under-18's offense was led by Alex Tuch with five points (two goals and three assists) along with Jack Eichel (three goals) and Sonny Milano (three assists) with three points each. The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Matt Iacopelli's pair of goals.

The Lumberjacks will hit the road again next weekend to Nebraska for a pair of games against the Lincoln Stars on Saturday, October 26th at 8:05 pm followed by a 6:05 pm puck drop against Omaha Lancers on Sunday, October 27th.

Muskegon's next home game will be on Saturday, November 2nd against the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders at 7:15 pm. Saturday's game is a part of Try Hockey for Free Day and also includes the return of our Subway Saturday promotion. If the Lumberjacks beat the RoughRiders, fans can redeem their ticket stubs at any participating West Michigan Subway location for a buy one six-inch sub and get another six-inch sub of equal or lesser value for free.

Individual game tickets are on sale for the low price of $10 for adults and $6 for children ages 3-12 if they are purchased before the day of the game. Tickets can be purchased at the Lumberjacks' Box Office or by calling (231) 724-5225.

The exclusive radio home for the Muskegon Lumberjacks all season long is 92.5 FM WLAW "The Outlaw" as Bryan Fongers delivers the call beginning ten minutes prior to puck drop.

The proud home of all Muskegon Lumberjacks home games is the L.C. Walker Arena in downtown Muskegon located just minutes from the beautiful Lake Michigan Shoreline. Muskegon Lumberjacks hockey, "Experience the Buzz!"

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United States Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2013


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