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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Max Humitz Adds Three More to Stat Sheet as Lumberjacks 'Use the Force' on Fargo

January 23, 2015 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (January 23rd) - The Muskegon Lumberjacks continued its current six-game homestand with the first of two weekend matchups against the visiting Fargo Force looking to start a new winning streak overall and at home. The game featured the home team never trailing while extending their lead during crucial points of the evening as a three-goal three period from the Lumberjacks not only added insurance late, but helped pave the way to a 5-2 victory over the Force tonight at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The first period saw a scoreless draw for the majority until the Lumberjacks (22-11-3, 47 points) broke the scoreless tie with 1:51 left as Robbie DeMontis found a loose rebound to the left of Robbie Beydoun (5-5-1) off a wrap-around attempt from Max Humitz and stuffed home his third of the season.

The Lumberjacks took their 1-0 lead into the first intermission while outshooting the Force early on by a 13-10 margin.

The one goal difference held into the latter stages of the second period when the Force (16-14-5, 37 points) evened the game at 1-1 with 2:55 to go as a rebound from a two-on-one opportunity led to Zach Yon finding the loose puck in the slot and burying his ninth of the season into the open net that was helped by Mikey Eyssimont and Denis Smirnov.

Just 24 seconds later, the Lumberjacks found a quick answer to regain the lead at 2-1 with 2:31 remaining as Humitz found a centering feed on the backdoor to the right of Beydoun, and the Lake Superior State commit punched home his third as a Lumberjack and sixth on the season that was assisted by Will Graber and Mark Petaccio.

Muskegon held its one shot lead going into the second and final intermission with the shot battle still remaining in favor of the home squad by a narrow 24-23 spread.

Early in the final frame, Muskegon extended the lead to 3-1 just 44 seconds in as a shot from the left point by Adrian Sloboda had eyes and crept past Beydoun for his second of the season that was aided by Humitz and Graber.

The Lumberjacks continued to hold on to the two-goal lead until the Force trimmed the deficit to 3-2 with 8:00 left in regulation with a shot from the point by Matt McArdle deflecting off a Lumberjacks stick in the slot and flipping over the glove of a crouched-down Eric Schierhorn (15-7-3) for his first of the season that was set up by Eyssimont.

A few minutes later with 5:18 to go, the host Lumberjacks netted their two-goal lead back at 4-2 as a turnover from Fargo at their blue line led to Griffen Molino feeding Christian Wolanin in the slot, who one-timed his 10th of the season top shelf under the crossbar that was also aided by Jack Rowe.

Muskegon added on to its lead to increase the spread to 5-2 with 3:31 left as a neutral zone turnover from the Force led to Steven Merl carrying the puck into the Force's zone and snapping a shot from the left faceoff circle past Beydoun's glove hand for his third marker of the season that went unassisted.

From there, the Lumberjacks cruised to the three-goal victory and ended up outshooting the Force for the game, 44-35.

Eric Schierhorn nabbed his 15th win of the season with a 33-save effort at home, while Robbie Beydoun takes the road loss with 39 saves. Muskegon was led offensively by Max Humitz with a goal plus two assists and Will Graber with two helpers. Mikey Eyssimont led Fargo's offensive push with two assists. Muskegon claims its second victory all-time against Fargo since joining the USHL with both coming at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The Lumberjacks and Force wrap up the two-game weekend series tomorrow night back at the L.C. Walker Arena with the start time slated for 7:15 pm.

Tomorrow night's game features the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame Night, where the Lumberjacks organization will be honoring the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2015 consisting of former Muskegon Catholic Central head football coach Mike Holmes, the 1978-79 Muskegon Heights back-to-back State Championship basketball teams, and former Mona Shores standout runner Cathy Fitzpatrick. In addition, the Lumberjacks are recognizing previous Hall of Fame inductees and current board members while giving mention to the Muskegon Catholic Central 2014 Division 8 State Championship football team.

To purchase tickets to any upcoming regular season home game and take advantage of our discounted advance game day prices, fans can stop by the L.C. Walker Arena Box Office during the normal business hours of 10:00 am - 6:00 pm on Tuesday - 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.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2015


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