Muskegon Knocks out Cedar Rapids in 6-1 Sweep, Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinals against Dubuque

April 26, 2022 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release

MUSKEGON, Mich. - The Muskegon Lumberjacks have advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals after delivering the final knockout punch to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, sweeping the best-of-three series in a 6-to-1 win on Tuesday, April 26, 2022, from Mercy Health Arena. Jacks goaltender Chase Clark once again stood strong, only giving up one goal in the series while stopping 64 total shots in two games. Nathan McBrayer and Jake Richard each picked up their first career playoff goals, with Joey Larson scooping up three assists in the win. Muskegon will host Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Dubuque Fighting Saints on Friday, April 29 at 7:00 pm EDT from Mercy Health Arena.

1st Period

Like the night prior, the Jacks jumped out in front early off of a power play goal, this time from Jake Richard to make it a 1-to-0 lead at 4:01 of the opening period. Richard's first career playoff goal was assisted by Joey Larson and Jake Braccini.

Through one period in game two, Muskegon held a 1-to-0 lead going into the first intermission.

2nd Period

The Lumberjacks kept their foot on the gas as Jake Braccini doubled the Muskegon lead to 2-to-0 at 4:46 of the middle period. Braccini's first playoff goal of the year was assisted by Ben Strinden and Phil Tresca.

Muskegon defenseman Nathan McBrayer lit the lamp in the playoffs for the first time in his career as he clocked in at 13:09 to make it 3-to-0. McBrayer's first playoff goal was assisted by Owen Mehlenbacher and Ethan Whitcomb.

After 40 minutes in Muskegon, the Lumberjacks were sitting comfortably with a 3-to-0 lead going into the final period of regulation.

3rd Period

Just 4:47 into the third period, rearguard Jacob Guevin launched a missile into the back of the net while on a two-man advantage power play to make it 4-to-0. Guevin's first playoff goal of the season was assisted by Quinn Hutson.

Twenty-five seconds later, Noah Ellis rifled home a shot on Muskegon's back-to-back power play goal to increase the lead to 5-to-0 at 5:12 of the third period. Ellis's second goal of the playoffs was assisted by Owen Mehlenbacher and Joey Larson.

Quinn Hutson would score a Muskegon touchdown at 7:09 with his second playoff goal to make it a 6-to-0 hockey game. Hutson's goal was assisted by Nathan McBrayer and Joey Larson.

The RoughRiders would finally solve Jacks goaltender Chase Clark, who was just 1:24 away from his second-consecutive shutout after Martins Lavins pushed a loose puck past Clark to make it 6-to-1 and give Cedar Rapids their first goal and only of the playoffs. Joe Fleming and Connor Hasley picked up the two assists.

After a 33 save performance by Chase Clark, the Lumberjacks broke out the brooms to sweep the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, eliminating them from the playoffs.

On Deck

The Muskegon Lumberjacks have advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals! The Jacks will host Game 1 against the Dubuque Fighting Saints at Mercy Health Arena in downtown Muskegon on Friday, April 29 with a 7:00 pm EDT faceoff. The rest of the Semifinals series will occur in Dubuque, Iowa, with Game 2 on Sunday, May 1 at 8:05 pm EDT and Game 3, if necessary, on Monday, May 2, at 8:05 pm EDT. Go to www.muskegonlumberjacks.com/playoffs2022 to purchase playoff tickets!

Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Joey Larson

United States Hockey League Stories from April 26, 2022

• Hawks Celebrate Nebraska Breakthrough - Waterloo Black Hawks
• Western Conference Semifinal Schedule Set - Tri-City Storm
• Muskegon Knocks out Cedar Rapids in 6-1 Sweep, Advance to Eastern Conference Semifinals against Dubuque - Muskegon Lumberjacks
• Fighting Saints to Face off with Muskegon in Round 2 - Dubuque Fighting Saints
• Gamblers Name Mike Leone as New Head Coach/General Manager - Green Bay Gamblers
• Steel Sign Michael Hage to Tender Agreement - Chicago Steel
• Stars Beat Black Hawks 5-2, Take 1-0 Series Lead - Lincoln Stars
• Lancers Snag Game One at Home over the Force - Omaha Lancers
• Madison Stuns Phantoms to Take Game 1 - Youngstown Phantoms
• Hawks Fall After a Tough Start - Waterloo Black Hawks

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