MUSKEGON, Mich. — Only one more weekend series remains for the 2022-23 USHL season and it comes this weekend as the Muskegon Lumberjacks welcome the Chicago Steel to Trinity Health Arena for a two game set on Friday April 21, and Saturday 22nd.
About Last Weekend
Looking to stay a part of the USHL postseason race the Lumberjacks battled the Madison Capitols at Trinity Health Arena this past weekend in a two game series.
Friday night's matchup started with a first period goal from the Capitols to take a 1-0 lead. Not looking to trail heading into the first intermission the Jacks were able to find the back of the net twice in the final minute of the period for a 2-1 lead. Owen Keefe scored his fourth of the season by following behind the play and receiving a cross ice pass from Justin Solovey. With 0.6 seconds remaining in the frame Michael Callow stood behind the net and batted the puck off the chest of a Madison defenseman and into the back of the net. A pair of goals in the second, and 3 more in the third period lifted the Capitols to a 6-4 win kicking off the weekend series. Matvei Gridin and Ethan Fredericks were the other two goal scorers for Muskegon with one coming in each period. Raythan Robbins earned the start stopping 28 of 32 Madison shots against him
Saturday's game was the first since Muskegon was officially eliminated from playoff contention prompting a young lineup for the Lumberjacks. Affiliate goaltender Sebastian Gatto made his first career USHL start while four other affiliate players cracked the lineup. Teddy Spitznagel, Roy Chung, Bauer Berry, and Garrett Frazer played in the contest. Unfortunately for the Lumberjacks four straight Madison goals through the first parts of the second period created a large deficit to overcome. Gavin McCarthy and Ethan Fredericks both found the back of the net to bring the score close in the third period, but an empty netter from the Capitols in the third period put the game out of reach and lifted the visitors to the weekend sweep. Gatto started the game and Robbins entered in relief halfway through the contest.
The Matchups
The Muskegon Lumberjacks close the 2022-23 season with a tough task. A 2 game weekend series against the current first place team in the Eastern Conference the Chicago Steel.
Despite being eliminated from playoff contention there is a purpose for the games this weekend. Having such a young roster the Lumberjacks will have a lot of returning players from this season to next. A late season matchup against a quality opponent provides a learning opportunity for the young players.
The series also provides a chance to upset a team that has dominated the season series. Chicago holds a 4-1-1 record through 6 games against Muskegon. Sitting 4 points above the USA Hockey NTDP for first place in the Eastern Conference the Steel are only 3 points behind the Fargo Force for first place in the entire USHL. A weekend sweep for the Steel would give them a chance at the Anderson Cup, the regular season USHL championship, and home ice advantage throughout the entirety of the playoffs.
Players to Watch
Nicholas Rexine:
One of only two 2002 birth years on the roster for Muskegon Nicholas Rexine will play in his final Junior Hockey games this weekend against the Steel. The Syracuse, NY native started his Junior Hockey career with 5 games played in the NCDC for the Utica Jr. Comets in the 2020-21 season. The following year Rexine joined the Minnesota Wilderness in the NAHL where he recorded 61 points in 54 games played. This year, his first in the USHL has seen Rexine produce consistently for the Lumberjacks with 32 points through all 60 games so far. Next season Rexine will return to his home state of New York to attend school and play NCAA DI hockey at Colgate University (ECAC, Ivy League)
Raythan Robbins:
The other 2002 birth year for the Lumberjacks Robbins is also in his first season in the USHL. Robbins a native of Anchorage Alaska, played a game with the Kenai River Brown Bears in the NAHL to kick off his junior hockey career in 2019-20. A year later Robbins spent 4 games in the SJHL with the Notre Dame Hounds before returning to his hometown and the NAHL in 2021-22 to play for the Anchorage Wolverines. While in Anchorage Robbins led his team to an appearance in the Robertson Cup Final. Now in Muskegon Robbins has started the majority of games in the second half of the season, and has been a steady presence in the crease all season long. Next year Robbins will attend Bemidji State University (CCHA) where he will play on the Beavers NCAA DI Men's Hockey team.
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 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
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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.
