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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Take 2-0 Series Lead with 5-1 Win over Dubuque

April 21, 2019 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - The Muskegon Lumberjacks scored three first-period goals and cruised to a 5-1 win over the Dubuque Fighting Saints, taking a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The series now shifts to Dubuque for games three (Tuesday) and, if necessary, game four (Wednesday).

After a 4-0 victory in game one, Muskegon has now outscored Dubuque a combined 9-1 in the series, with the total shots on goal being 81-41.

"Good to see the guys respond the right way," said head coach Mike Hamilton. "Our commitment to defense has been phenomenal. We're taking away their good chances against us, and we've got guys scoring goals. It's fun to watch"

Bobby Lynch has been the offensive catalyst for Muskegon, and he potted the game-winning goal for the Lumberjacks just 4:55 into the game. He assisted on Egor Afanasyev's beautiful opening goal 2:10 into the first, giving him two points on the night and five in the series.

Dubuque tied the game at one when Jacob Semik's wrister found the net through traffic, but it was all Jacks from there. After Lynch took the lead with a rocket wrister, Colby Bukes scored consecutive goals to push the lead to 4-1 before the second period was a minute old.

Ryan Savage would cap off the scoring, jamming a rebound past Dubuque goaltender Matthew Thiessen on a 5-on-3 power play with 3:40 remaining in the game.

Brandon Bussi made his second-straight start in net and followed up a game one shutout by saving 21 of 22 Fighting Saints shots.

The series now moves to Dubuque, and the Jacks have little time to celebrate- they will get on the bus and head to Iowa immediately following Sunday's 5-1 win.

"Our goal is go in to Dubuque and get a split," said Hamilton. "We don't care if it's game three or game four, we want to go there and win the series."

Game three is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:05pm, and, if necessary, game four will be Wednesday at 8:05pm. Both games will be on HockeyTV and Tuesday's game will be aired live at Rad Dads.

Muskegon goals: Afanasyev (1), Lynch (1), Bukes (1,2), Savage (1)

Muskegon assists: Hakkarainen (1,2), Lynch (4), Cam McDonald (1), Alex Gaffney (1,2), Jack Williams (1), Owen Farris (1), Jagger Joshua (1)

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United States Hockey League Stories from April 21, 2019


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