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Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Scare Phantoms with Offensive Barrage

January 18, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - From the opening puck drop to the final buzzer, there was no doubt that the Muskegon Lumberjacks were going to falter tonight against the rival Youngstown Phantoms on the road as six different Lumberjacks notched at least a goal that included scoring the first four goals on the night leading to a 7-4 victory at the Covelli Centre to conclude their season-long eight-game road swing with a 5-3-0 record.

The Lumberjacks (17-16-4, 38 points) wasted little time in getting on the board first on the night as Chase Hatcher one-timed his second goal in as many nights past Colin DeAugustine's (5-6-5) blocker side while crashing to the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the 2:59 mark of the first period that was helped by Matej Paulovic and Connor Wood.

Just under 90 seconds later at the 4:19 mark, Muskegon doubled their lead to 2-0 was Mason Jobst found a loose rebound to the left of DeAugustine and roofed his 6th goal of the season top shelf short side that was assisted by Adam Larkin and Matt Iacopelli.

Later in the opening frame at the 18:42 mark, the Lumberjacks tripled their lead to 3-0 as Iacopelli found a rebound of his own to the left of DeAugustine and slid his team-leading 24th goal of the season through the five-hole that was aided by Larkin and Carson Gatt.

Muskegon continued their assault into the early portions of the second period grabbing a 4-0 lead at the 4:21 mark as Scott Pooley received a nice outlet feed from Janik Moeser at the center ice line was in all alone on a breakaway and wristed his 12th goal of the season past DeAugustine's blocker side.

A few minutes later at the 8:07 mark, the Phantoms (8-20-5, 21 points) were able to crack the scoreboard and make it a 4-1 game courtesy of Trey Bradley as he roofed his first career USHL goal top shelf off a loose rebound to the right of Eric Schierhorn (11-9-1) that was set up by Zach Evancho and Kiefer Sherwood.

Later in the middle stanza at the 16:17 mark, the Lumberjacks got that goal back to make it a 5-1 advantage as Iacopelli ripped his second of the night and 25th goal of the season over DeAugustine's glove from the left faceoff circle that was assisted by Jobst and Daniel Willett.

In the third period, Youngstown would strike first cutting the deficit to 5-2 at the 5:52 mark as Luke Stork fired home a rebound given up by Schierhorn to his right for his 12th marker of the year that was helped by Truman Reed and Kyle Connor.

Again, the Lumberjacks retaliated to make it a 6-2 game at the 8:51 mark as Haralds Egle's centering feed hit a Phantom's body in front of the crease and somehow trickled under the right pad of DeAugustine for his 3rd goal of the season that was aided by Cullen Hurley.

The host Phantoms showed no quit scoring the next two goals of the night to make it a 6-4 game in favor of the Lumberjacks that began at the 12:23 mark on the power play from Sherwood as his shot from the top of the slot had eyes and slid under Schierhorn's right pad for his 6th of the year that was assisted by Bo Pellah and J.J. Piccinich. Minutes later at the 17:43 mark, Youngstown potted a shorthanded goal from Tommy Parran as he wristed his 3rd goal of the season top shelf from between the faceoff circles to make it a two-goal game that was helped by Josh Melnick and Luke Stork.

To conclude the busy night offensively for the Lumberjacks, they would get the last laugh with 50.5 seconds to go in regulation as Gatt fired a slap shot from the left faceoff circle past DeAugustine's blocker for his 5th of the year that was set up by Chase Hatcher. Youngstown outshot Muskegon for the game by a 31-26 margin.

Eric Schierhorn earned another victory in net for the Lumberjacks stopping 27 shots on the night, while Colin DeAugustine took the home loss for the Phantoms making 19 saves of his own. Muskegon was led offensively by Matt Iacopelli with his pair of goals plus one assist along with four others chipping in two points each. Youngstown's offense was spearheaded by Kiefer Sherwood and Luke Stork with a goal and an assist each. The Lumberjacks improve to 4-1-0 this season against the Phantoms with four regular season meetings left between the two Eastern Conference foes.

The Lumberjacks return to home ice for the first time in nearly a month for a pair of games next Friday and Saturday against the U.S. National Development Program at 7:15 pm, respectively.

Friday's game against the Under-17 Team will feature the second and final trading card giveaway of the season along with the return of our "Jacks Win You Win" promotion. If the Lumberjacks win on Friday, every fan in attendance will receive a $5 Sport Clips gift card.

Saturday's game against the Under-18 Team will feature our annual "Jacks Fight Cancer" Game presented by Mercy Health Partners. Fans can contribute to the event in numerous ways in which proceeds will be donated to the Johnson Family Cancer Center, and more information can be found on the Lumberjacks' Facebook page by searching "Muskegon Lumberjacks." Additionally, our "Subway Saturday" promotion returns, where if the Lumberjacks win on Saturday, fans that attend the game can present their ticket stubs at any participating West Michigan Subway location for a buy one six-inch sub, get another six-inch sub of equal or lesser value for free.

Individual game tickets will be on sale for the next pair of home games all next week 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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