MUSKEGON- Not even a delayed start to Friday’s game could slow down the Muskegon Lumberjacks’ powerful scoring attack.
The Jacks came into the contest against the Team USA 17-Under squad with a lot of momentum, after scoring 17 goals in two victories in Madison last weekend.
They had to wait a bit to continue their scoring spree, because puck drop was delayed 27 minutes due to a crack in the plexiglass behind the visitors’ bench, creating a need for some quick replacement right before the scheduled game time.
The Jacks simply bided their time, then came out and scored three first-period goals en route to a convincing 7-2 victory at Mercy Health Arena.
“I wouldn’t say we were sharp in the first period, but we came out of that period up, which was a good thing,” said Lumberjacks Coach Mike Hamilton. “It was great on how we responded during the second and third periods by not giving up so many chances.”
[1]The victory was Muskegon’s sixth in a row and 16th of its last 19 games, with eight straight wins at home.
The Lumberjacks are now 18-10-3 on the season, good for 39 points and second place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings. The Jacks entered the game in third place but passed Dubuque, which did not play on Friday.
Muskegon is third in the league in total team scoring with 128 on the season. They trail only Chicago and Dubuque, which have 134 and 131, respectively.
“Right now, it is just a balanced attack,” Hamilton said about his offense. “We are tough to handle when all of our lines are clicking, and that’s what we have going on right now.”
Owen Mehlenbacher led the Jacks with two goals and an assist while Tyler Dunbar chipped in with three assists. Nathan McBrayer added two assists and Ethan Whitcomb had a goal and an assist.
“Mellie (Mehlenbacher) played like the player that we know is in him,” Hamilton said. “He played a hard, heavy game and was tough to handle.”
[2]“I put in the hard work today,” Mehlenbacher said about his performance. “I just used my big body and played north and kept it simple. I want to keep working hard and winning battles throughout the rest of the season.”
Jacob Guevin also had a big night for the Lumberjacks, notching his 75th career point with a goal in the third period.
Guevin’s goal makes him the all-time points leader among Lumberjack defensemen, passing Colby Bukes, who finished with 74 points in a Muskegon jersey.
“The kid is a phenomenal hockey player,” Hamilton said about Guevin. “It’s nice to see when guys are rewarded for their hard work.”
The Lumberjacks jumped out to a 3-0 lead with goals from Mehlenbacher, Whitcomb and Jake Braccini in the first period.
[3]Team USA closed out the period with goals by Will Smith and Alexander Weiermair to cut the Lumberjacks’ lead to 3-2 at the first break.
Muskegon scored a pair of second period goals from David Hymovitch and Joey Larson to take a 5-2 advantage heading into the third period.
Guevin added his milestone goal in the third period for the Lumberjacks, then Mehlenbacher closed out the scoring with his second of the contest.
The Lumberjacks outshot Team USA by a commanding 42-17 margin.
Muskegon went 0-for-5 on the power play but was successful in killing all four Team USA power plays.
Cameron Korpi stopped 15 of 17 Team USA shots to earn the win in net for the Lumberjacks.
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST PERIOD
Muskegon – 5:45- Owen Mehlenbacher (3) (Tyler Dunbar)
Muskegon- 13:01- Ethan Whitcomb (5) (David Hymovitch, Emil Jarventie)
Muskegon- 13:54- Jake Braccini (14) (Nathan McBrayer, Parker Lindauer)
Team USA- 15:24- Will Smith (William Vote, Carter Slaggert)
Team USA- 19:41- Alexander Weiermair (unassisted)
SECOND PERIOD
Muskegon- 8:46 – David Hymovitch (3) (Ethan Whitcomb, Tyler Dunbar)
Muskegon- 16:12- Joey Larson (18) (Owen Mehlenbacher)
THIRD PERIOD
Muskegon – 14:40 – Jacob Guevin (4) (Tyler Dunbar, Ben Strinden)
Muskegon – 15:57- Owen Mehlenbacher (4) (Nathan McBrayer, Tyler Hotson)
[4]