Lincoln, NE- This week, the Lumberjacks head to Nebraska to face the Lincoln Stars at The Ice Box. This is the first matchup between these inter-conference teams in the 2026-2027 season. Muskegon enters the weekend with a 4-4-0-1 record and sits second in the USHL Eastern Conference, while the Stars are 3-5-1-0 and sit sixth in the Western Conference. Heading into the weekend, the Lumberjacks look to build on last Saturday's win over the Youngstown Phantoms, while the Stars look to bounce back from Tuesday night's loss to the Sioux Falls Stampede.
 
 

Week 5 Preview: Searching for the First Sweep 

The Lumberjacks' trip to The Ice Box this weekend is a chance to snatch their first series sweep from the Stars, who are seeking a strong home-ice win. Lincoln welcomes Muskegon for the first time during the 2026-2027 campaign. Both teams have a chip on their shoulder after last weekend. Muskegon sits second in the Eastern Conference with a 4-4-0-1 record after a split series against the Youngstown Phantoms, including a Friday night shootout loss. Lincoln sits sixth with a 3-5-1-0 record after Tuesday night's loss to Sioux Falls at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center. 
 
Muskegon and Lincoln both have something to prove at the Ice Box, setting up a fierce weekend matchup. The Lumberjacks are looking for a strong weekend away to improve their on-the-road record, currently 1-3-0-0. A sweep in Lincoln will boost the Jacks' confidence in future away games, a necessity for road success. This will be key for Muskegon, as it prepares to face both Dubuque and Des Moines on the road in November.   
 
The Stars are looking for a sweep this weekend to build confidence on home ice and move up in the USHL Western Conference standings. Lincoln has struggled to build momentum so far this 2026-2027 season. The Stars are 0-3-0-1 at home heading into the match against the Lumberjacks. The Stars will have to fight hard to defend their home ice against Muskegon this weekend.
 
Both Muskegon and Lincoln need strong showings this weekend to build on their early-season form. The Lumberjacks want to prove they can stand their ground away from Trinity Health Arena, and the Stars want to defend The Ice Box from yet another team snatching away a home win. Both teams have momentum to create this weekend, and the stakes are high.
 

Players to Watch 

 
Zaac Charbonneau - Forward
The best thing to come out of the year 2010, Zaac Charbonneau (Gatineau, QC, Canada) is a crucial member of Muskegon's crew. He stands at 6"1', and he is still growing both in stature and in skills. Charbonneau currently leads the Lumberjacks in points and all USHL rookies in goals. The Quebec native scored the first hat trick of his USHL career last Saturday night when the Jacks faced the Phantoms at Trinity Health Arena. The rookie was also selected to represent Canada in the 2026 World Under-17 Challenge. While Charbonneau is not yet eligible for the NHL Draft, he is certainly one to watch this season in Muskegon.
 
Rudolfs Berzkalns - Forward
Team Captain of the Muskegon Lumberjacks, Rudolfs Berzkalns (Cesis, LAT) earns his place as the Jacks leader every time he steps onto the ice. The 212 lb forward brings physicality and skill to his role with Muskegon. The Latvia native has a solid showing with 4 points so far in this 2026-2027 season. The Lumberjacks aren't the only team seeing Berzkalan's raw talent and potential, though. The team captain is committed to Boston College for his collegiate career and has already been tapped by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2026 NHL draft. A strong presence on and off the ice, Berzkalns is crucial for the Lumberjacks' continued success this season.
 
Lars Hutson - Defense
Holding the blue line is Lumberjacks defenseman Lars Hutson (North Barrington, IL). With four assists so far in the 2026-2027 season, Hutson has nearly matched his points total from the 2025-2026 season. The defenseman is coming out of the gate hot and ready, with something to prove. So far, he has maintained a plus-five rating, enhancing both his confidence on the ice, and his image to the rest of the USHL. The 5"9' 150 lb Hutson is a strong emerging talent in his first year of NHL draft eligibility, and a massive asset to the Lumberjacks' defensive line.
 
The Opponent 
The Lincoln Stars have had a difficult start to the 2026-2027 season. Their record is sitting at 3-5-1-0, leaving the sixth-seeded Stars near the bottom of the Western Conference. For a team trying to return to the top, it might not be a lucky weekend for the Stars, who still haven't won on home ice this season. On Tuesday evening, the Stars were trampled by the Sioux Falls Stampede at The Ice Box. The Stampede crushed the Stars 4-1, showing the struggling team no mercy, a common theme through the Stars' early season. Lincoln will have to bring their A-game to topple the Lumberjacks this weekend.
 
Last season, the Stars didn't shine much brighter. The 2025-2026 regular season saw Lincoln finish twelfth-seeded after losing in the semifinals to a familiar foe, the Sioux Falls Stampede. Before their defeat, Lincoln went 28-29-4-1 in the regular season, ending fifth in the Western Conference. The Stars' lack of momentum last season has spilled over into this one, and this weekend at the ice box is an opportunity to push the season in a positive direction for Lincoln.
One Star shines brighter than the rest, though: Evan Malkhassian of Ontario, CA. We didn't see much of Malkhassian's ability during the 2025-2026 season, but he's currently tied as the top scorer with 8 points for the Stars, alongside Jackson Rudh from Minnesota. Both forwards have NCAA commitments: Malkhassian is headed to Harvard University, and Rudh is on the way to St. Cloud State University. Putting these two on one line could give the Stars the boost they need to claim a home win this weekend.
 
 
 

Over the Airwaves

Gray Supply Corp. proudly presents the Lumberjacks Hockey Network, your home for every Muskegon Lumberjacks game throughout the preseason, regular season, and postseason. Follow all the action with the voice of the Lumberjacks, Ezra Gennello.
 
FloHockey is the official live-streaming partner of the Lumberjacks, providing fans with a high-quality viewing experience for every game. The Lumberjacks Hockey Network also offers a free internet radio broadcast of every game through Mixlr.
 
Get ready for puck drop on every game day with the Gray Supply Corp. Pregame Show, streaming live on Facebook beginning 30 minutes before game time.
 
For more information on all Lumberjacks broadcast options, visit the Press Box tab at muskegonlumberjacks.com.
 

Upcoming Games

Fri. October 23 | 8:00 pm ET | at Lincoln
Sat. October 24 | 7:00 pm ET | at Lincoln
Wed. October 28 | 6:00 pm ET | at USA Hockey
Fri. November 6 | 7:05 pm CT | at Dubuque

Follow the Jacks

Be sure to follow the Muskegon Lumberjacks on social media!
Facebook - Muskegon Lumberjacks
Twitter - @MuskegonJacks
Instagram - @muskegonjacks
TikTok – @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, including playing the game the right way, maintaining their academic focus in the classroom, and staying actively involved in the West Michigan community. The organization is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and top-notch family entertainment while serving as positive role models for the youth and local community.