USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Scuffle with Team USA U18 for Weekend Series

March 9, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Mich. - The Muskegon Lumberjacks kick off a six-game homestand, starting with a pair of games against Team USA U18 on Friday and Saturday, March 11 and 12. Both games will start at 7:00 pm EST from Mercy Health Arena in downtown Muskegon. The last time these two teams met each other, the 18's carried out a 9-to-8 shootout victory back on Feb. 4. In three head-to-head contests this year, the Lumberjacks are 1-1-0-1 against Team USA U18.

'Merica

Team USA U18, the flagship program for the best amateur Americans by USA Hockey, has been a force to be reckoned with this season, dominating the opposition with an overall record of 28-10-3-0. Against USHL competition, the 18's are 13-4-2-0, which includes four wins and one loss to the Lumberjacks since the start of the season. Moreover, the 18's are 7-6-1-0 against NCAA Division I colleges and are perfect against NCAA Division III schools and in international tournaments, which includes capturing the Five Nations Tournament championship in Switzerland earlier this year. Leading the way up-front for Team USA U18 is Isaac Howard, who currently leads the team in goals and points with a stat line of 23 goals and 31 assists for 54 points. Frank Nazar is only one point behind Howard with 53 points off of 21 goals and 32 assists. Jimmy Snuggerud is another player to watch out for as he has amassed 45 points in 41 games played. On the blue line, Lane Hutson, who is the younger brother of Muskegon's Quinn, has the most points by a defenseman this year, potting seven goals and 33 assists for 40 points. In between the pipes, the 18's house a pair of rock-solid goaltenders in the likes of Tyler Muszelik and Dylan Silverstein. Muszelik, committed to the University of New Hampshire, has a record of 17-4-2, with a 2.98 GAA and .900 save percentage. Silverstein, a Boston College recruit, has posted a 3.56 GAA and a .894 save percentage after going 9-7-0 this season.

About Last Weekend

The Lumberjacks kickstarted the month of March with a split with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders last weekend, winning the first game 5-to-4 in overtime, but dropping the next match by a score of 5-to-2. Owen Mehlenbacher had himself an impressive weekend notching four points, but the highlight of the weekend came from Quinn Hutson potting his 100th career point in just his 88th game. In the last 10 games, Muskegon is 3-5-1-1, keeping them in third place in the Eastern Conference standings with an overall record of 25-15-3-3 and 56 points, six points behind Chicago (62 points, second place), seven behind Dubuque (63 points, first place), but six in front of Madison (50 points, fourth place).

Triple Digits

In 88 career USHL contests, Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Quinn Hutson claimed his 100th career point, making him the seventh player in franchise history to hit triple digits. Hutson, hailing from Barrington, Ill., earned the distinguished honor after picking up the primary assist on Joey Larson's 24th goal of the season 19 seconds into the first period on Friday, March 4 in Cedar Rapids. The Boston University recruit joins former Lumberjacks Anthony Del Gaizo (100 points), Matt Iacopelli (101 points), Mikael Hakkarainen (107 points), Collin Adams (112 points), Matej Paulovic (119 points), and Daniil Gushchin (147 points) to hit the century mark.

This is Shooter's Tour

The Lumberjacks come into this weekend shooting the most shots in the entire league. Muskegon currently averages 34.17 shots per game, which is the most out of any team in the USHL, which correlates to the Jacks averaging the most goals per game at 4.09, tied with Tri-City for the top spot. Quinn Hutson is the leading shooter for Muskegon with 190 shots and is ranked number two in the league, sitting just behind Chicago's Adam Fantilli. This season, the Lumberjacks are 18-11-3-2 when outshooting an opponent.

Eyes on the Century Men

Four current Lumberjacks have played at least 100 career USHL games, those being captain Jack Williams (152 games), Noah Ellis (140 games), Tyler Dunbar (125 games), and Jacob Guevin (103 games). On the radar for 100 career games are Jake Braccini (99 games), Phil Tresca (90 games), Quinn Hutson (89 games), and Owen Mehlenbacher (87 games), all of whom are due to hit the century mark this season. In addition to games played, Quinn Hutson (100 points) recently became the seventh Lumberjack in franchise history to score at least 100 career points, while Jack Williams (98 career points) only needs two more points to hit triple digits. When they accomplish that feat, Williams will join Hutson and become the eighth Lumberjack to score at least 100 career points in team history.

Upcoming Theme Nights - Queen for a Night/St. Paddy's Party

On Friday, March 11, we want to find out who your Queen is! Our chosen Queen for a Night will receive the royal treatment on March 11th! She will drop the ceremonial puck to start the game and continue with tickets to a suite for herself and 3 of her subjects. She will also win a spa package and bouquet of flowers. Then on Saturday, March 12, come cheer on the Lumberjacks with some bagpipes and green beer for St. Paddy's Day! For more information, call the Muskegon Lumberjacks Business office at (231)-799-7000 or email afranczek@muskegonlumberjacks.com.

Over the Airwaves

For live video streams, all Muskegon Lumberjacks games will be broadcast on HockeyTV (Video). Additionally, all home games and select away games will be streamed on Mixlr (Audio) for free.

NHL Central Scouting Rankings

On Wednesday, Jan. 12, National Hockey League (NHL) Central Scouting released their mid-season rankings for the upcoming 2022 NHL Entry Draft. In all, four current and three future Jacks made the list. Current Lumberjacks include defensemen Tyler Dunbar (No. 105), Jacob Guevin (No. 176), Jeremiah Slavin (No.194), and goaltender Platon Zadorozhnyy (No. 24). In addition, three affiliates were named to the watch list, those being George Fegaras (No. 91), Michael Callow (No. 162), and Matthew Morden (No. 223). The 2022 NHL Draft is scheduled from July 7-8, 2022, and will be hosted by the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec.

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 9, 2022


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