MUSKEGON – At this point of the season points in the standings are priority number one. Last week the Muskegon Lumberjacks picked up 3 out of a possible 4 with an overtime loss and win against the Dubuque Fighting Saints. This week the Jacks get a chance at another 4 points with a home and home series against the United States NTDP U18 team.
Season Series
The season series between Muskegon and the program is 5-3 in favor of the NTDP, but only two of the games have been between the Jacks and U18 team. Both were victories for the program.
First, on December 14
th at the USA Hockey Arena the Jacks fell 7-2.
William Hughes and
Matvei Gridin were the goal scorers for Muskegon, but both find themselves on the injured reserve for this weekend.
Raythan Robbins stopped 9 of 10 shots after entering in relief of
Conor Callaghan for the third period.
On the flip side of the Calendar the teams met at Trinity Health Arena for a matchup on January 21
st. Again, the Program scored 7 goals on the Jacks, but this time it was a closer final score at 7-4. Gridin scored again, and McBrayer added a goal and two assists in the loss. Robbins earned the start lasting the length of the game stopping 21 out of 27 shots.
Last Time Out
It was an exciting weekend last time out for the Lumberjacks when they welcomed the Fighting Saints to Trinity Health Arena. Friday night was the debut USHL for
Joe Connor a 2021 draft pick of the Jacks. Connor opened the scoring with his first career USHL goal on a nice play in tight to the goal. After back and forth scoring throughout regulation Dubuque found themselves on a 4-on-3 powerplay in overtime. Such a great opportunity id impossible to pass up on and the Fighting Saints picked up the 4-3 overtime win.
Saturday brought lots of similarities to the night before.
Teddy Spitznagel was activated off the affiliate list to join the Jacks for his 10
th game of the season, and he picked up his first career USHL point on an assist in the process. Connor added an assist to give him his second point in as many career games, and again the teams needed overtime to find a winner. This time though the Jacks wasted no time finding the back of the net just 29 seconds into the sudden death period.
Nicholas Rexine carried the puck into the offensive zone and dropped back for
Easton Young. A shot that missed the net found Rexine's stick behind the cage. The Colgate Commit popped the puck out front to
Sacha Boisvert who shoveled it to the top corner of the net.
Conference Standings
Despite picking up 3 points in week 23 of the regular season the Lumberjacks sit in a similar spot in week 24. Ten points out of a playoff spot the hopes for a postseason push are still alive for Muskegon, though a run of good hockey starting this weekend if the Jacks want a chance to compete in the Clark Cup Playoffs.
Promotions
Friday is St. Patrick's Day, so the Jacks are celebrating St. Paddy's Party at Trinity Health Arena during the game. Muskegon players will take the ice wearing special green jerseys with a special green and orange Lumberjacks logo. The ice the teams will take to won't be the traditional white color hockey fans are used to, but green to fit the theme of the game. Finally, Fans can get into the St. Paddy's Party spirit by responsibly enjoying green beer during the game.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online at muskegonlumberjacks.com, over the phone by calling 231-799-7000, or in person by visiting the Lumberjacks business office at Trinity Health Arena.
Can't make it to the game? We've got you covered. FloSports is the official streaming partner of the Muskegon Lumberjacks and USHL. Watch all season long on FloSports or listen with Mixlr.
*Saturday's game will not be aired on FloSports, but instead on the new USAHockeyTV. Fans can still catch the free audio stream on Mixlr.
