MUSKEGON, Mich. — Following last week's three game road trip to Dubuque and Green Bay the Muskegon Lumberjacks turn their attention to the final 4 games of the season. All at Trinity Health Arena starting with a pair of games against the visiting Madison Capitols.
About Last Weekend
The Lumberjacks hit the road for one final time this season with a three game road trip starting Thursday in Dubuque. The Fighting Saints scored twice in the first two minutes of the game to jump out to a quick lead, but the Jacks responded quickly to tie the game ahead of the first intermission. Dubuque scored twice more and the Jacks responded with a goal of their own, but at the final horn it was the FIghting Saints that came out on top 4-3.
From Iowa the Jacks headed north to Wisconsin for a pair of games at the Resch Center in Green Bay against the Gamblers. Friday nights matchup saw 6 goals from the Lumberjacks including the first career tally for defenseman Bauer Berry. Raythan Robbins stopped 49 of 52 shots against in the 6-3 win.
Saturday was a different story as the Jacks fell down by a lot early. halfway through the contest the Gamblers took a 5-0 lead, but the Jacks ripped off 3 straight goals in the second period to take a 2 goal deficit into the final period of regulation. It was too little too late and the Gamblers picked up the 8-3 win.
The Matchups
Gearing up for the end of the season the Lumberjacks welcome the Madison Capitols to Trinity Health Arena for a two game weekend series that concludes the season long series between the two teams. Over the year the Jacks have handled business well against Madison winning 5 of the 6 matchups including a pair of weekend sweeps earlier in the campaign.
The season-long series started in late October when the teams met for a pair of games in Madison on October 28th and 29th. Connor Callaghan made 32 saves in a 5-3 win on Friday the 28th while following up with the same stat line a night later on the 29th while Boisvert, Buss, and Croal all scored in the 4-3 win.
A month later on November 25th and 26th the teams met again. This time at Trinity Health Arena in Muskegon. Again the Jacks picked up the weekend sweep starting with a commanding 8-3 win on Friday night. Buss had a 4 point performance with 2 goals and 2 assists. McBrayer excelled in the offensive end as well with a trio of assists. Saturday was a much closer 3-2 scoreline in which Callaghan impressed again with 34 saves on 36 shots against.
Last time the teams met was for a weekend series in February in which the squads split wins in Madison. Friday the 10th the Jacks picked up another commanding win 7-3. Boisvert had 4 points including a hat trick and Affiliate player Roy Chung picked up his first career USHL point with an assist. Saturday brought the lone loss for the Jacks against the Capitols 3-1. Nicholas Rexine scored the only Muskegon goal while Callaghan stopped 32 of 34 shots sent his way.
Players to Watch
Matvei Gridin:
The Russian born player made his return to the lineup last week in the game against Dubuque. Listed on the 4th forward line alongside Jacob Terpstra, and Teddy Spitznagel, Gridin looked like he never left by keeping up with the play and getting an assist in the game. By the end of it Gridin was playing with the second line and earning time on the Jacks second power play unit. Gridin played Friday night in Green Bay, but was given the night off on Saturday after playing in two straight games.
Sacha Boisvert:
Another international player for the Lumberjacks Boisvert hails from Trois-Rivieres, Quebec and has been a consistent cog in the Lumberjack offense all season long. Through 53 games Boisvert has 42 points including 25 assists good for 2nd on the team (Croal, 26). A 2006 birth year Boisvert is in his rookie season in the USHL and is 2024 NHL draft eligible.
Over the Airwaves
Catch the action all season long with the USHL's official video streaming partner FloHockey, and with the free radio stream on the Lumberjacks Radio Network on Mixlr.
Upcoming Games
Fri. April 14 | 7:00 pm EDT | vs Madison Capitols
Sat. April 15 | 7:00 pm EDT | vs Madison Capitols
Fri. April 21 | 7:00 pm EDT | vs Chicago Steel
Sat. April 22 | 7:00 pm EDT | vs Chicago Steel
Follow the Jacks
Be sure to follow the Muskegon Lumberjacks on social media!
Facebook - Muskegon Lumberjacks
Twitter - @MuskegonJacks
Instagram - @muskegonjacks
Tik Tok - muskegonlumberjacks
About the Muskegon Lumberjacks
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are proud and dedicated members of the United States Hockey League (USHL), the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league and leading producer of NCAA players and National Hockey League draft picks in the United States. The club's goal is to create an environment where student-athletes develop into successful young men both on and off the ice, which includes playing the game the right way while keeping up with their studies in the classroom and staying actively involved in the West Michigan community. The organization is committed to providing quality, affordable, and top-notch family entertainment while providing positive role models for the youth and the local community.
