Masters Helps East to Comeback Win in Top Prospects Game
Published on January 24, 2012 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON, Mich. (January 24, 2012) - It was a clear night in West Michigan but the stars were shining the brightest inside L.C. Walker Arena, as Team East rallied from 2-0 down to topple Team West in the first-ever USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game Tuesday night.
Second-year Lumberjacks forward Jordan Masters recorded an assist on his home rink, setting up Indiana's Robbie Baillargeon for his second goal of the night. Baillargeon won the Team East MVP presented by CCM, while Fargo's Austin Farley claimed the West's top honors with a goal and an assist.
Farley, whose 48 points rank second in the league, assisted on A.J. Michaelson's early goal and scored the second to boost Team West to a two-goal headstart 14 minutes into the contest. Baillargeon countered with an unassisted goal with 1:46 to go in the first, deking Sioux Falls goalie Stephon Williams to the ice before stashing a backhand shot.
Four minutes into the second, Masters captured a loose puck and quickly centered for Baillargeon's tying tally. The rookie from Massachusetts was left unchecked at the front of the West net.
A bizarre goal from Green Bay's Nicholas Schilkey gave the East its first lead at 10:10 of the second. After a faceoff win from Indiana's Robert Polesello, Schilkey ripped a one-timer that new West goalie Jay Williams, who had just entered in relief, appeared to stop. Upon review, however, it was ruled that the puck crossed the goal line and the goal was awarded.
The West's Justin Selman tied it up 3-3 about 4 1/2 minutes later. A pass from Austyn Young, Selman's Sioux Falls teammate, found Selman at the left circle. The future Michigan Wolverine tried to center, but the puck bounced behind East netminder Jon Gillies off a defenseman's skate.
Seven minutes into the third, the East grabbed the lead right back. Dubuque defenseman Matthew Caito, a late injury replacement for teammate Mike Matheson, set up Schilkey in the slot with a nice deke. Schilkey's shot bounced off Williams and right to Jeff Kubiak, who finished the play at the right post.
Kubiak's goal held up as the game winner, as Alex Kile's late power-play goal cinched the game for the East. Youngstown defenseman Chris Bradley sent the Green Bay winger down the right wing with an accurate breakout pass. Click here for complete box score.
The Lumberjacks (10-17-2, 22 points) return to Muskegon Saturday night to face Indiana after a Friday game in Ann Arbor against the National Under-17 Team. Call the L.C. Walker Arena box office at 231.724.JACK(5225) for Lumberjacks tickets and information, or visit startickets.com or go to your local Meijer.
United States Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2012
- East Tops West in Prospects Exhibition - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Masters Helps East to Comeback Win in Top Prospects Game - Muskegon Lumberjacks
- Selman, Young and Williams Shine at USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Waterloo Black Hawks Weekly - Waterloo Black Hawks
- Reminder - Free Live Webcast for USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - USHL
- Stampede Stars on Display Tonight in Muskegon at USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - Sioux Falls Stampede
- Kubiak and Caito Added to USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game - USHL
- Phantoms Notebook: Week 17 - Youngstown Phantoms
- Phantoms Defenseman Chris Bradley Nets USHL's Weekly Award - Youngstown Phantoms
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