Mehlenbacher Scores Late Power Play Goal, Lumberjacks Sweep Dubuque in 4-3 Thriller

March 19, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release

MUSKEGON, Mich. - Lumberjacks forward Owen Mehlenbacher came up clutch with the eventual game-winning goal on the power play to give Muskegon the 4-to-3 victory over the Dubuque Fighting Saints, sweeping the weekend series on Saturday, March 19, 2022, from Mercy Health Arena in downtown Muskegon. Jake Richard and Jake Braccini each potted a pair of assists with other Lumberjacks markers coming from Gavin McCarthy, Joey Larson, and Phil Tresca. The Lumberjacks now have a four-game winning streak against the Fighting Saints, dating back to their sweep over Dubuque back in November. With the series sweep, the Lumberjacks pocket four points on the weekend, move to 27-17-3-3 on the year and remain in third place in the Eastern Conference standings with 60 points.

1st Period

For the second consecutive night, the Lumberjacks jumped out to an early 1-to-0 lead in the first period, with the first goal being scored by defenseman Gavin McCarthy at 12:02, his second of the season. McCarthy's goal was assisted by Tyler Hotson.

Muskegon would double their lead at 14:35 with Joey Larson to make it a 2-to-0 game. Larson's 27th of the season was assisted by Jake Braccini and Jack Williams.

After the first period of action in game two, the Lumberjacks sat in the driver's seat with a 2-to-0 lead heading into the first intermission.

2nd Period

The Saints would get on the board 17:19 into the second period with a goal from Stephen Halliday to make it a 2-to-1 score. Halliday's 30th goal of the season was assisted by Max Burkholder and Samuel Sjolund.

A minute later while on the power play, Dubuque completed the comeback to tie the game 2-to-2 with a PPG from Tristan Lemyre at 18:15 of the second period. Lemyre's 23rd of the season was assisted by Jackson Hallum and Stephen Halliday. With two points, Halliday becomes the United States Hockey League's (USHL) leading scorer in the league's Tier I regular-season history. Halliday scored his 197th point which passed Sean Farrell for the rights to the record.

After 40 minutes of play, both teams were square 2-to-2 heading into the final period of regulation.

3rd Period

Just 2:38 into the third period, Muskegon pulled ahead with an early goal from Phil Tresca to make it a 3-to-2 lead for the Lumberjacks. Tresca's 26th lamplighter of the year was assisted by Jake Richard.

Alas, the Fighting Saints would battle back to even the score 3-to-3 with Tristan Lemyre's second goal of the game at 6:49 of regulation. Lemyre's 24th goal of the season was helped by Kenny Connors.

While on the power play, the Lumberjacks came back to the driver's seat after Owen Mehlenbacher sent Mercy Health Arena into a feeding frenzy with his PPG at 11:42 of the final period. Mehlenbacher's ninth goal of the year was assisted by Jake Richard and Jake Braccini to give Muskegon a 4-to-3 lead.

In the end, Dubuque could not find a way to score the equalizer with the Muskegon Lumberjacks cruising to victory by a final score of 4-to-3, sweeping the weekend series and claiming four consecutive contests against the Saints.

On Deck

The Lumberjacks will see their six-game homestand come to an end next weekend, but not before they welcome the Green Bay Gamblers for a two-game weekend series next Friday and Saturday, March 25 and 26, respectively. Puck drop is slated for 7:00 pm EDT for both games in downtown Muskegon at Mercy Health Arena.

Upcoming Theme Nights - Everything Jacks Night/Jacks Fight Cancer

On Friday, March 25, it's Everything Jacks Night! This night is all about the Lumberjacks, including appearances from the Jr. Lumberjacks and the Reading Caravan. Then on Saturday, March 26, players will skate in honor of loved ones who are battling or have battled cancer for Jacks Fight Cancer night. For more information, call the Muskegon Lumberjacks Business office at (231)-799-7000 or email afranczek@muskegonlumberjacks.com.

Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Owen Mehlenbacher

United States Hockey League Stories from March 19, 2022

• Record-Breaking Night Ends with Storm Victory - Tri-City Storm
• Steel Roll to 7-2 Win over Youngstown - Chicago Steel
• Storm Series at an End - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Saints Come up One Short to Muskegon Saturday - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Mehlenbacher Scores Late Power Play Goal, Lumberjacks Sweep Dubuque in 4-3 Thriller - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Stephen Halliday Breaks USHL Tier I Regular Season Scoring Record - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Storm Seeks Bounce-Back Win over Black Hawks - Tri-City Storm
• Storm Drops Opening Game of Weekend to Black Hawks - Tri-City Storm
• Omaha Falls to Sioux City to Start the Weekend - Omaha Lancers
• Three Unanswered the Difference - Waterloo Black Hawks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Muskegon Lumberjacks Stories

• Viktor Norringer Is Officially a Muskegon Lumberjack
• Lumberjacks Announce Additions to Hockey and Business Staffs
• Lumberjacks Add Skilled Forward, Melvin Novotny
• USNTDP Standout Jake Stuart Commits to Muskegon
• St. Clair Named Seventh Head Coach in Lumberjacks History