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USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks

Three Lumberjacks Total Two-Point Nights in Home Setback to Stampede

December 13, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release


MUSKEGON, Michigan (December 13th) - The Muskegon Lumberjacks looked to earn their second consecutive home weekend sweep in the backend of a two-game weekend series at the L.C. Walker Arena against the Sioux Falls Stampede, but the visitors had other plans in store that included three goals in both the first and third periods along with a perfect effort on the power play. Ultimately, the Stampede proved to be too much offensively for the Lumberjacks in a 7-3 final tonight to snap Muskegon's four-game winning streak overall and string of three consecutive victories at home.

Before the fans could get settled into their seats, the Stampede (10-11-3, 23 points) made a quick statement just 48 seconds in to grab an early 1-0 lead as former Lumberjack Cooper Marody centered a feed to a streaking Logan O'Connor in the slot, who one-timed his seventh of the season past Michael Latorella (4-3-0).

Just over four minutes after at the 4:56 mark, the Lumberjacks (17-7-1, 35 points) countered to even the game at 1-1 as Matej Paulovic centered one to an open Jack Rowe in the slot, and the North Dakota commit one-timed his seventh of the year past Stefanos Lekkas (7-5-1) that was also aided by Griffen Molino.

As the opening frame passed the midway point, Sioux Falls grabbed their lead back at 2-1 by the 12:32 mark as Troy Loggins ripped a shot from the left faceoff circle short side over Latorella's right shoulder for his seventh of the season that was set up by Lukas Buchta and O'Connor.

Shortly after at the 15:18 mark, the Stampede made it a 3-1 game with a power play marker from Joey Raats blasting a shot from the high slot under Latorella's pads for his first of the year that was assisted by Aaron Herdt and Parker Tuomie.

Before the wild first period ended, Muskegon was able to cut the deficit to 3-2 with 3:14 to go as Trevor Hamilton fired a slapper from the point through traffic and past Lekkas' right pad for his third goal of the season that was set up by Paulovic and Molino.

The up-and-down opening frame ended with the Lumberjacks facing a one goal deficit and trailing in the shot battle slightly by a 13-10 margin.

Just like the first, the Stampede wasted no time in getting an early goal in the second snagging a 4-2 lead 57 seconds in with a rebound goal in the low slot from Daniel Warpecha stuffing home his seventh of the season that was helped by Lawton Courtnall and Clint Lewis.

The same two-goal spread held through the remainder of the middle frame into the final period of regulation with the shots on goal in a dead heat at 26-26.

The Stampede extended their lead to 5-2 back on the power play at the 8:16 mark of the final stanza as O'Connor found a loose puck following a mad scramble in front of the Muskegon net and buried his second of the night and eighth of the season past Latorella and the Lumberjacks' defense. Loggins and Dillon Eichstadt assisted on the man advantage marker.

The visitors continued to pull away making it a four-goal spread at 6-2 with 8:05 left in regulation potting their third power play goal in as many opportunities courtesy of Lewis firing a shot from the high slot past Latorella's glove hand for his third of the season. Bryan Sienerth and Raats helped on the goal.

Muskegon was able to find the back of the net once more with 4:52 left as Hamilton fired home a rebound in the left faceoff circle past Lekkas for his second of the evening and fourth of the season to slice the deficit to 6-3 that was assisted by Robbie DeMontis and Zachary Berzolla. Berzolla picked up his first career USHL point in assisting on the Hamilton goal.

The Lumberjacks tried to pull out all the stops late pulling Latorella for the extra attacker with a couple minutes to go, but the Stampede capped off the night with an empty net unassisted tally from Loggins at the 18:52 mark for his second of the game and eighth of the season. Sioux Falls outshot Muskegon for the night, 40-34.

Stefanos Lekkas earns the road victory with a 31-save effort in net, while Michael Latorella picks up the loss stopping 33 of 39 shots faced. Troy Loggins and Logan O'Connor both led the Stampede offense with two goals plus one assist followed by Joey Raats and Clint Lewis with a goal and an assist each. Trevor Hamilton (two goals), Griffen Molino (two assists), and Matej Paulovic (two assists) led the Lumberjacks' offensive push with a pair of points apiece. Muskegon and Sioux Falls split the two-game weekend and regular season series at one win apiece with the Lumberjacks falling to 4-2-2 all-time against the Stampede including 2-2-2 at the L.C. Walker Arena.

The Lumberjacks are back at the L.C. Walker Arena next Friday, December 19th against the Chicago Steel at 7:15 pm in the team's final game before the league-mandated Christmas holiday break.

Friday's game features Christmas with the Jacks, where Santa Claus will be in attendance interacting with the fans and taking pictures with the kids in the photo booth set up during the intermissions. In addition, Santa is giving away a special gift in a holiday Pandora charm bracelet throughout the night.

To purchase tickets to Friday's 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 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.

Check out the Muskegon Lumberjacks Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from December 13, 2014


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