MUSKEGON, MI – The 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs didn't start exactly how the Muskegon Lumberjacks had planned, but a bounce back performance on Sunday afternoon helped them even their Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup against the Green Bay Gamblers 1-1.
Following a scoreless first period the Jacks exploded for three straight goals in the second period starting at the 7:28 mark. While skating 4-on-4
David Klee (Castle Rock, CO) worked with
Xavier Veilleux (L'Ancienne-Lorette, QC, CAN) worked together to get the puck down the ice with a dump down the far side wall.
Cody Croal (North Branch, MN) found himself leading the race for the puck so the Gambler net minder tried to poke it away from him at the side of the crease. With one hand on his stick Croal tapped the puck away from the net minder and between his legs to break the tie and give the Jacks the 1-0 lead.
About three and a half minutes later the Jacks struck again. This time a tik-tac-toe play finished by
Teddy Spitznagel (New York, NY).
Justin Solovey (Holmdel, NJ) moved into the offensive zone on the far side before sending a pass across the zone to the near side and Klee. Spitznagel worked down to the net and received a perfect pass from Klee in the blue paint allowing him to redirect the puck into the back of the net.
Solovey added a goal of his own for his second straight 2-point performance of the post season. Croal sent the puck to Veilleux on the nearside wall. A quick release from the defenseman sent a shot on net that Solovey tipped to the top corner and past the goalie.
Lev Katzin found the back of the net for the Gamblers to make it a 3-1 game with 2:32 to play in the second period. Katzin finished a shot from the slot after receiving a pass from Aidan Park.
Only one goal came in the third period and it belonged to
Joe Connor (Amherst, NH).
Jake Toll (Rosemount, MN) sent the puck to Croal who then forwarded the message to Connor on the far side circle. Connor curled around the top of the circle and ripped a slap shot to the top corner of the net for his first goal of the post season.
Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) (1-1) earned the win with 22 saves on 23 shots against. Gavin Moffatt (2-1) took the loss on his record with 4 goals on 26 shots.
The teams continue the Eastern Conference Semifinals series on Tuesday night at the Resch Center in Green Bay. Catch the action on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on mixlr.
