Dubuque, IA – A pair of perennial contenders face off in a Week 7 matchup at ImOn Arena in Dubuque, IA. The Muskegon Lumberjacks, who have represented the Eastern Conference in each of the last two Clark Cup Finals, are back in action after a bye week kept them off the ice in Week 6. The Dubuque Fighting Saints, the last Eastern Conference Champion, not from Muskegon, play host with points in each of their last 5 games.
 

Week 7 Preview: We've Been Here Before

The Dubuque Fighting Saints are not an opponent the Lumberjacks see more than the four mandatory times on the schedule in most regular seasons. However, thanks to three consecutive meetings in the Clark Cup Playoffs, Muskegon has made 13 trips to Dubuque's ImOn Arena over the past three seasons. This year, another chapter in the matchup comes with both clubs positioned near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
 
Dubuque enters the week with points in five straight games, sitting at 15 points through its first 14 contests. Muskegon, meanwhile, is riding a two-game road winning streak and has collected 14 points through 13 games. With both teams looking to build momentum in the early-season standings, the upcoming series presents an important opportunity for each club.
 
In Week 6 of the USHL regular season, the Lumberjacks traveled to USA Hockey Arena on Wednesday night to face the NTDP Under-17 Team. Zaac Charbonneau (Gatineau, QC, CAN), Muskegon's leading scorer, had already departed to represent his country at the 2026 World Under-17 Challenge. His absence, however, did little to slow the Lumberjacks' offense. Five different skaters found the back of the net, while three recorded multiple points in a convincing 5-1 victory.
 
With Charbonneau out of the lineup, the Lumberjacks' newest addition, Josh Toll (Rosemount, MN), made his Muskegon debut and immediately made an impact, scoring a goal in an impressive showing from the blue line. Teddy Lechner (Bloomington, MN) added a goal and an assist, while Lars Hutson (North Barrington, IL) distributed three assists to lead the offensive attack from the back end.
 
Between the pipes, Samuel Doyon-Cataquiz (Montreal, QC, CAN) turned aside 21 of 22 shots to earn his second consecutive victory.
 
While the Lumberjacks enjoyed Halloween festivities with their billet families, the Fighting Saints played a weekend series against the Waterloo Black Hawks. The two clubs opened the weekend Saturday night in Waterloo, where Olle Darth scored a power-play goal with just 30 seconds left in regulation to tie it 2-2 and force overtime. The Black Hawks needed just 26 seconds of the extra frame to secure the victory. It was a physical, penalty-filled contest with 71 combined penalty minutes, and Dubuque capitalized on its lone power-play opportunity.
 
Sunday's final score was more decisive, but the game was far from one-sided. The teams entered the third period tied at three before Cruz Martin and Kane Johnson scored just minutes apart to give the Saints a two-goal advantage. An empty-net goal late in regulation sealed the 6-3 victory and secured three of four possible points for Dubuque over the weekend.
 
Now, the Saints turn their attention to a familiar postseason opponent. With both teams coming off productive stretches and separated by just one point in the Eastern Conference standings, the upcoming series offers an early opportunity to gain ground on a conference rival. For Muskegon, carrying its recent road success into ImOn Arena will be critical against a Dubuque team that has proven it can score in bunches.
 

Players to Watch

Louis Jonerheim - Forward
Louis Jonerheim (Lund, SWE) was one of Muskegon's standout performers during last season's Conference Semifinal matchup, and the 6-foot-5, 215-pound forward has picked up right where he left off. Jonerheim has established himself as a force at both ends of the ice, combining his size and physical presence with the ability to create offense. His eight assists lead the Lumberjacks, while his 10 points rank second on the team. As Muskegon prepares for one of its toughest tests of the season, expect Jonerheim to play a major role in setting the tone offensively.
 
Lars Hutson - Defense
Hutson delivered a statement performance during last Wednesday's trip to the NTDP, recording three assists and continuing what has been an impressive start to his season. The defenseman now has seven assists and a +7 rating, showing his ability to contribute offensively without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. Against a Dubuque team that ranks among the league's most productive offenses, Hutson's ability to move the puck, create opportunities, and defend with consistency will be critical to Muskegon's success.

Josh Toll – Defense
Toll's arrival in Muskegon came with little time to spare. On Tuesday of last week, the defenseman was still at home in Minnesota. By Wednesday night, he was making his Lumberjacks debut. Despite the quick turnaround, Toll looked comfortable in his first appearance, providing a glimpse of the skill and offensive ability he brings to the blue line. With more practice and time to build chemistry with his new teammates, Toll now has a chance to take another step forward. As he becomes more comfortable within the Lumberjacks' system, his impact could continue to grow throughout the season.
 

The Opponent

There is a popular saying in sports that the Fighting Saints are making a strong case for: "The best defense is a good offense." Dubuque has built its identity around putting pressure on opponents in the offensive zone, averaging 4.07 goals per game, the fourth-highest mark in the USHL. The Saints also rank fifth in shots per game (30.14) and, perhaps most impressively, allow the fewest shots against in the league at just 25.79 per game.
 
The problem has been converting that defensive effort into results between the pipes. Despite limiting opponents' opportunities, Dubuque ranks 13th out of 16 teams in goals against per game, allowing 4.00. Luke Carrithers has handled the bulk of the workload, posting a 3.71 goals-against average and .849 save percentage through nine appearances. Joshua Banini joined the equation last week, making his first two appearances against Waterloo. Through those games, Banini owns a 1-0-1-0 record, a 3.02 GAA and a .900 save percentage. If the Saints can find more consistency in goal, they have the offensive firepower and defensive structure to become a dangerous opponent.
 
That offensive firepower starts with five forwards who have established themselves as consistent scoring threats. Melvin Eckman, Arsienni Voroteliak, and Max Lind lead the way with 15 points apiece, while Olle Därth and Caden Dabrowski have each recorded 14. That's five skaters with at least as many points as the Lumberjacks' leading scorer, Zaac Charbonneau. Lind has been particularly productive of late, entering the series on a seven-game point streak after recording three assists in Sunday's comeback victory over Waterloo.
 
Eckman and Dabrowski are the only two members of that top-five scoring group who played in Dubuque last season. Despite significant turnover in its offensive core, the transition has been seamless so far. The Saints are coming off a weekend in which they collected three of four possible points against Waterloo, capped by a 6-3 comeback victory on Sunday. Sitting second in the Eastern Conference with a 7-6-1-0 record, Dubuque will bring a high-powered offense and a confident team into its weekend series with Muskegon.
 

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. November 6 | 8:05 pm ET | at Dubuque
Sat. November 7 | 6:00 pm ET | at Dubuque
Fri. November 13 | 7:00 pm ET | vs Cedar Rapids
Sat. November 14 | 7:00 pm ET | vs Cedar Rapids
 

Follow the Jacks

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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, 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.