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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Lumberjacks Use Team Effort on Offense to Destroy Chicago

March 22, 2013 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan - The Muskegon Lumberjacks used a strong first period, solid defense and goaltending, and some fortunate puck luck late to get a much-needed victory over the rival Chicago Steel tonight at the L.C. Walker Arena by a 4-1 final.

The Lumberjacks (29-19-10, 68 points) would net a pair of first period goals beginning with Jeff Kubiak's 8th goal of the season and third goal in as many games at the 4:57 mark as Muskegon was able to create a bad Chicago turnover in front of their own net and turn it into a goal as Adam Gilmour would receive the lone assist.

Later in the opening period at the 13:25 mark, Mike Preston would backhand home his first USHL goal as he would roof it top shelf over Steel Goaltender Alex Sakellaropoulos (18-19-2) to make it a 2-0 game. Rasmus Bengtsson and Zach Saar would get the assists on the Preston marker. Muskegon would own the first period outshooting the Steel by a wide 18-4 margin.

After a scoreless second period, Muskegon would go back to work offensively in the early stages of the third period as Joe Cox would fire a wrist shot off of Sakellaropoulos' shoulder, would hit the post, and then the puck would get hit by a Steel player into their own net at the 1:17 mark to increase the Lumberjacks lead to 3-0. Cullen Hurley and Mason Jobst would get the helpers on Cox's 19th goal of the season.

Ten seconds after the Cox goal, Muskegon would strike again to increase the lead to 4-0 off a faceoff in the Chicago zone as Doyle Somerby would fire home his first USHL goal from the right point. Somerby would fire a wrist shot that deflected off the glove of Sakellaropoulos into the net that would be assisted by Connor Hurley and Chad McDonald. Sakellaropoulos would be pulled after the Lumberjacks' fourth goal for Chris Nell.

Chicago would break the shutout at the 11:01 mark with a power play goal from former Lumberjack Tyler Heinonen for his 18th goal of the season off a rebound in front of Lumberjacks Goaltender Kevin Lindskoug (22-15-6) that was assisted by Mackenzie MacEachern and Nolan Valleau. However, Muskegon would hold strong defensively the rest of the way to complete the home victory.

Muskegon heavily outshot Chicago for the game, 46-30, and eleven different Lumberjacks tallied a point in the win. Kevin Lindskoug would stop 29 of 30 shots for the home team, while Alex Sakellaropoulos would allow four goals on 37 shots faced for Chicago. Chris Nell would stop all nine shots that came his way in relief of Sakellaropoulos. Joe Cox would fire a season-high 11 shots on goal for the Lumberjacks tonight, and Muskegon improves to 7-1-1 against Chicago this season with one meeting to go at the L.C. Walker Arena next Friday night.

The Lumberjacks will return home tomorrow night for a 7:15 pm puck drop against the USNTDP Under-18 Team. Tomorrow's game will feature Beach Night along with the return of the Subway Saturday promotion where fans will receive a buy-one, get-one sandwich free if the Lumberjacks beat the Under-18 Team and fans present their ticket stubs from that night at any participating West Michigan Subway location. Two prizes will be given away for Beach Night tomorrow that will include a one year tanning package from Midnight Sun and Cruise along with a grilling package that will feature a $500 Meat Block gift card, sauces from Buffalo Wild Wings, and a grill donated by Lowe's.

Tickets will be on sale tomorrow and all next week for the low price of $10 for adults and $5 for children ages 3-12 for next Friday's home game against the Chicago Steel at 7:15 pm if they are purchased before the day of the game. Next Friday's game will feature Epilepsy Awareness Night along with the return of our "Rock the Arena" promotion presented by Rock 101.7 FM where from 6:15 to 7:30 pm, Rolling Beer will be sold for only $2 in select concession stand areas. Fans can also purchase tickets online at www.muskegonlumberjacks.com or by calling (231) 724-JACK (5225).

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United States Hockey League Stories from March 22, 2013


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