USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Matheson Iacopelli Nets a Single, Sioux Falls Grabs 2-0 Clark Cup Final Series Lead

Published on May 10, 2015 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


Muskegon Lumberjacks Game Recap
Muskegon Lumberjacks Game Recap
(Muskegon Lumberjacks)

MUSKEGON, Michigan (May 10th) - The Muskegon Lumberjacks returned to home ice for tonight's Game 2 seeking a weekend split to the beginning of the best-of-five Clark Cup Final series before heading off to Sioux Falls, South Dakota next weekend. Following an empty opening frame offensively, the Stampede used a five-goal second period to eventually pull away to a convincing 6-1 road victory to grab the first two games of the series and take a 2-0 lead heading back home.

Like the first game of the series, the first period of Game 2 saw a scoreless duel with Sioux Falls outshooting Muskegon by the slimmest of margins at 8-7. The Stampede started off 0-for-3 on the power play, and the Lumberjacks began the contest 0-for-1.

The second frame of regulation saw the Stampede notch five consecutive markers to take a 5-0 lead heading into the third period that began with a pair of goals ten seconds apart from Joey Raats (1) and Kieffer Bellows (7) at the 1:09 and 1:19 marks, respectively. Mikey Eyssimont and Lukas Buchta assisted on the first goal.

Just past the halfway point of the game at the 10:02 mark, Troy Loggins (9) laced a power play goal to increase the spread to 3-0 that was set up by Cooper Marody and Bellows. A couple of minutes later, Collin Peters (1) buried a rebound man advantage goal of his own to make it a 4-0 spread at the 12:40 mark that was aided by Dakota Joshua and Parker Tuomie.

Following Sioux Falls' fourth goal of the game, Eric Schierhorn (6-5), who stopped 16 of 20 shots faced, was pulled in favor of Michael Latorella.

Before the middle stanza came to a close, Sioux Falls added one more to complete the five-goal frame with 2:30 remaining from Lawton Courtnall (1) that was assisted by Tuomie and J.M. Piotrowski.

The Stampede outshot the Lumberjacks during the middle 20 minutes of regulation by a 20-11 margin to increase their advantage overall to 28-18.

Towards the latter stages of the third, the Lumberjacks broke the shutout with 6:35 to go after pulling Latorella for the extra attacker as Matheson Iacopelli (5) slipped a wrist shot in the right faceoff circle under the pads of Stefanos Lekkas (8-3) that was helped by Ryan Siroky.

Moments after, Sioux Falls potted the final tally of the night 27 seconds after Iacopelli's goal with an empty-netter by Bellows (8) for his second of the night that was set up by Marody. The Stampede outshot the Lumberjacks for the game, 36-30.

Stefano Lekkas posted a 29-save effort in the road victory, while Michael Latorella stopped 14 of 15 shots faced in relief work. Sioux Falls was 2-for-7 on the power play, and Muskegon finished 0-for-3. Kieffer Bellows led the Stampede's offensive attack with a pair of goals plus an assist followed by Parker Tuomie and Cooper Marody chipping in with a pair of helpers each. With the goal, Matheson Iacopelli has tied Mark Petaccio for the team lead in goals scored this postseason with five, while Ryan Siroky has drawn even alongside Corey Schueneman for the team's playoff lead in assists with seven. Muskegon falls to 6-5 in this year's Clark Cup Playoffs that includes a 3-3 mark at home.

The 2015 Clark Cup Final hits the road out to the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota next weekend for Games 3 and 4 on Friday, May 15th (8:05 pm) and Sunday, May 17th (7:05 pm), respectively, with Game 4 being if necessary. If the best-of-five series goes the distance, Game 5 returns to the L.C. Walker Arena on Wednesday, May 20th beginning at 7:15 pm.

Individual tickets for Game 5 of the Clark Cup Final are on sale for $14 (Gold Sections), $12 (Crimson Sections), $10 (Black Sections), $7 (Youth ages 3-13), and $10 (Seniors/Military/Students). Pricing remains the same on or before the day of the scheduled game. To purchase tickets for Game 5, fans can stop by the L.C. Walker Arena Box Office during the normal business hours of 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on Monday - Friday or call (231) 724-5225.

The Lumberjacks are on the radio waves as Nash Icon 92.5 FM is the team's flagship provider for the 2014-15 season. Tune in as the "Voice of the Lumberjacks" Bryan Fongers delivers the call beginning 15 minutes prior to the opening puck drop. All games can also be listened and watched live online at www.fasthockey.com.

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Muskegon Lumberjacks Game Recap
Muskegon Lumberjacks Game Recap
   



United States Hockey League Stories from May 10, 2015


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