USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Penalty Filled Matchup Leads to Lumberjacks 5-2 Loss to Lincoln

Published on February 2, 2024 under United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, MI - After some comments about the Lumberjacks in the Lincoln Head Coach's post game interview last night fired up some emotions in the locker room the Muskegon Lumberjacks (22-14-1-1, 46 pts.) lost sight of the end goal and dropped the Sunday Matinee matchup against the Lincoln Stars (15-19-0-2, 32 pts.) 5-2 for a weekend split.

Lincoln opened the scoring just 2:25 into the contest while on a 5-on-3 power play. Jared Mangen had the puck in the nearside circle and sent it to the side of the net for Ryan Spinale. Moving the puck between his legs Spinale sent the puck to the top of the crease where it sneaked to the far side for Blake Montgomery to tap into the net.

The Stars doubled their lead 12 minutes later with an even strength goal when Jacob Rombach fired a shot to the back of the net from the top of the nearside circle. Montgomery picked up the primary assist for his second point of the night.

Before the end of the period Lincoln added another goal to make it 3-0 heading into the first intermission. Justin Mexico found the puck at the top of the slot and ripped a shot past the goaltender for his 5th goal of the season.

Muskegon brought the deficit back to a pair by opening the scoring in the second period. Ryan Koering (Eden Prairie, MN) gave the puck to Ethan Whitcomb (St. Catherines, ON, CAN) at the top of the offensive zone and Whitcomb lasered a shot to the top of the net for his 11th goal of the season.

Lincoln followed up with another goal to regain their three goal lead at the end of the second period. The second point of the night for Mangan who found the back of the net while on another power play.

Lumberjacks Captain Cody Croal (North Branch, MN) found the back of the net at the 5:50 point of the third to keep the game close with an assist from Cameron Aucoin (Chicago, IL), but an empty netter from Mangan for his 2nd goal, 3rd point of the game put the score out of reach for the Jacks.

Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (3-4-0-0) started the game, but only lasted 31 minutes with 19 saves on 23 shots against. Miles Roberts (Costa Mesa, CA) finished the game for Muskegon turning aside all 16 shots he faced. Lucas Massie (4-8-0-1) turned aside 24 of 26 for the win on his record.

Next week the Lumberjacks are on a two game road trip starting with a Saturday night game against the Chicago Steel at the Fox Valley Ice Arena, and ending on Sunday with a matchup against the Madison Capitols at Bob Suter's Capitol Ice Arena.

Catch the action on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on Mixlr. Follow the Jacks on social media @muskegonjacks on X (Twitter) and Instagram, and @muskegonlumberjacks on Tik Tok for new content every week!

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United States Hockey League Stories from February 2, 2024


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