MUSKEGON, MI – Sunday afternoon the Muskegon Lumberjacks (34-20-1-1, 70 pts.) and USNTDP Under-17 Team (18-31-1-3, 40 pts.) finished the third period of a postponed game from February 17
th. In the end the Jacks picked up a 4-3 win.
The game resumed at the start of the third period with the Jacks holding on to a 3-0 lead, and on the powerplay for the first 1:18 of action. Despite holding the majority of momentum through the original game the Jacks watched as the 17s came out on fire to start the third period.
Leading the shots 10-0 through the first 8 minutes of the frame the NTDP found the back of the net just 5:14 into the period when Will Horcoff blasted a one-timer from the far side circle into the top portion of the net. Horcoff received a perfect pass from Kristian Epperson on the near side.
Just a couple of minutes later the Program struck again to bring the score to within one. Drew Shock IV carried the puck into the offensive zone on the nearside of the ice and dropped it off for Will Moore. With tons of space to work with Moore took a few steps towards the net before ripping a shot off the near post and into the net.
The Jacks used a successful penalty kill to build momentum and followed by scoring a goal of their own.
Joe Connor (Amherst, NH) left the penalty box and received a pass on the nearside of the neutral zone. By the time Connor made it to the top of the offensive zone circles he sent a pass across the slot to
Xavier Veilleux (L'Anciene-Lorrette, QC, CAN). Instead of sending a pass back to Connor who was cutting towards the net Veilluex hit the third man high
Cody Croal (North Branch, MN) who was able to fire a shot into the back of the net to regain the Muskegon insurance marker with just under 10 minutes to play.
With the net empty in their own zone the Program applied enough pressure on the Jacks to score another goal. Cullen Potter sent a shot on goal that was turned aside, but the rebound went straight to the stick of Moore at the side of the crease. It was an easy tap in for Moore for his second goal of the game.
Comeback efforts on the Lumberjacks usually fall short, and again this one did in large part to
Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) (14-8-0-0) who made 35 saves on 38 shots in the win. The third period brought the majority of chances for the 17s when Gadzhiev faced 20 shots in the comeback effort. Harrison Boettiger (2-8-0-1) earned the loss on his record with 30 saves on 34 shots against.
Next week the Jacks hit the road for a two-game series in Cedar Rapids against the RoughRiders. The games can be found on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on Mixlr.
For schedules, scores, updates, and more visit muskegonlumberjacks.com. Check out the Jacks on social media @muskegonjacks on Instagram and X, @muskegonlumberjacks on TikTok for special content!
