Chicago, IL – The Lumberjacks head to USG Arena this weekend for their first meeting with the Chicago Steel since March of 2026, bringing with them the opportunity to continue a past that has favored the Jacks. Muskegon will look to replicate the success that was found in the last matchup between the two, while carrying a 3-2-0-1 record into the weekend. Meanwhile, Chicago enters the series at 2-1-1-0, setting the stage for an early-season battle between two teams looking to establish themselves as the season gets underway.
 

Week 3 Preview: A New Week, But a Familiar Building

For Muskegon, the trip back to USG Arena provides the chance to build on what has been a promising, yet inconsistent, start to the season. Just weeks removed from the opening weekend at the Fall Classic, the Lumberjacks return to an already familiar rink this time to face the home team, the Chicago Steel. The Lumberjacks are coming off another split weekend, this time against the Madison Capitols, while the Steel enter the weekend following back-to-back losses, one to the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, the other to the Green Bay Gamblers.
That sets the tone for this weekend's two-game matchup, with both teams looking to use this series as a turning point early in the season. The Lumberjacks will look to turn their string of split weekends into a complete series, while the Steel aim to rebound from a weekend with back-to-back losses.
 
The Lumberjacks enter the series coming off a 1-0-0-1 weekend against the Madison Capitols. Friday night belonged to Muskegon, as the Jacks provided plenty of offensive fireworks. Muskegon broke open the tight contest with a five-goal second period, powering its way to a 6-3 victory. Among the offensive highlights was Drew Fox (Hickory Creek, TX), who tallied his first two goals as a Lumberjack.
 
Saturday, however, presented a much different narrative.
 
Muskegon battled Madison through 60 minutes of regulation and into overtime before ultimately falling in a shootout. While the result gave Muskegon a point in the standings, the Jacks struggled to match the energy they brought the night before, unable to replicate Friday's intensity and execution.
 
The Lumberjacks and Steel arrive at this weekend with different results behind them, but the same opportunities ahead. The Jacks will look to build on the positives which have already emerged over the opening weeks and find the consistency that has eluded them early on. Chicago, meanwhile, will look to reset on home ice. For both teams, this weekend provides as an opportunity to make a statement early on.
 

Players to Watch

Strider Carhart – Forward
The momentum surrounding Strider Carhart (Sea Girt, NJ) continued to build last weekend, as the forward delivered a three-point performance against Madison.  Carhart has quickly established himself as an offensive spark for the Lumberjacks, and now the challenge will be carrying that production forward, not just into this weekend's matchup with Chicago, but throughout the season. If his latest performance is any indication, Carhart could be emerging as one of the Lumberjacks' most important offensive pieces as the season moves along.
 
Aiden Janz – Forward
Aidan Janz (Northville, MI) brings more than just offensive production to the Lumberjacks; he brings experience. A USHL veteran with more than 130 games under his belt, Janz has used that experience to make an early impact this season, recording two goals and three assists through the opening weeks. His vision and ability to create plays have added another layer to Muskegon's attack. Janz will be counted on to provide both production and poise as the Lumberjacks navigate the season ahead.
 
 
Felix Färhammar – Defense
One of the defining aspects of junior hockey is watching a player grow into his game, and Felix Färhammar (Stockholm, SWE) is beginning to show what that progression can look like. After gaining valuable experience in Muskegon last season, the defenseman enters this year with a more confident presence and a greater willingness to contribute offensively. Färhammar's development has been evident early, as he continues to grow into a more complete two-way defenseman capable of making an impact at both ends of the ice. With another season of USHL hockey ahead of him, Färhammar has an opportunity to turn that growth into a breakout campaign and establish himself as a key piece of the Lumberjacks' blue line.
 

The Opponent

The Chicago Steel enter week 3 looking to turn a rather familiar roster into a different result. The Steel were on the outside looking in when the Clark Cup Playoffs began last season. Now, with a new season underway, Chicago hopes to finally turn those playoff aspirations into reality and write a different ending to its story.
 
The Steel may have a new home, but their recent history remains a familiar one. After moving into a brand-new facility, Chicago looks to start fresh and face a recurring challenge: turning potential into results. The Steel finished last season 27-27-6-2, a record that left them just short of the postseason and extended a stretch of inconsistency that has kept the program from finding sustained success. Now, with a largely intact roster and a new building to call home, the Steel have a chance to rewrite the story. But first, they'll need to prove that the address isn't the only thing that's changed.
 
Players to watch for the Steel in this week 3 matchup include forward Cole Bumgarner and defenseman Cal Grilz. Bumgarner has wasted little time establishing himself as one of Chicago's offensive catalysts, leading the Steel with five points through three games. The forward has scored three times and added two assists, accounting for nearly half of Chicago's goals to open the season.
 
On the blue line, Grilz has provided an offensive push of his own, emerging as a steady two-way presence while posting the team's best plus-minus mark through the opening games. His ability to contribute at both ends of the ice will be an important factor as Chicago looks to slow down a Lumberjacks offense that has shown plenty of firepower early in the season.
 

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 9 | 8:00 pm ET | at Chicago
Sat. October 10 | 4:00 pm ET | at Chicago
Fri. October 16 | 7:00 pm ET | vs Youngstown
Sat. October 17 | 6:00 pm ET | vs Youngstown
 

Follow the Jacks

Be sure to follow the Muskegon Lumberjacks on social media!
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Twitter - @MuskegonJacks
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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.