Countdown to Puck Drop (39): at Chicago

MUSKEGON LUMBeRJACKS

Vs. Chicago steel

Edge ice arena, Bensenville, illinois

saturday, FEBRUARY 18, 2012

 

GAME PREVIEW

The Muskegon Lumberjacks will seek a reversal of fortune tonight, as they gun for their first win of the season in the Second City. The Chicago Steel have won all three of their home games in the season series and have beaten the Jacks four out of six times overall. However, in their most recent meeting Muskegon ended Chicago’s four-game winning streak with a convincing 6-1 win Feb. 4 at L.C. Walker Arena, matching the Jacks’ largest margin of victory on the year.

 

The Lumberjacks (12-21-5, 29 points / T-7th in East) fell victim to the home mojo of the Dubuque Fighting Saints Friday night, dropping a 4-1 decision at Mystique Ice Center. Muskegon outshot the defending Clark Cup champions and didn’t surrender a single Dubuque power play but still needed a late Dakota Klecha (Ferris State) goal to avoid being shut out by the Saints for the second time.

 

After getting smashed by the Jacks two weeks ago, the Steel (14-27-1, 29 points / T-7th in East) lost three more in a row, scoring just two goals during that stretch last weekend. But Chicago’s tonic lately has been Youngstown, and it was again Friday night as Ali Thomas scored a pair in a 4-2 road win against the Phantoms. Chicago has beaten Youngstown three times in the last month.

 

JACKS FACTS

• With an assist on Klecha’s goal last night, Tyler Heinonen (Michigan Tech) extended his point streak to five games, tying the longest by a Lumberjack this season. The rookie winger’s hot streak dates back further than that, though; he has written his name on the scoresheet in nine of his last 12 contest. Heinonen has 12 of his 15 total points during his current run.
• Although the game at Dubuque was feisty, the Lumberjacks weren’t whistled for a single minor penalty, the first time that’s happened all season. Prior to last night, the fewest power plays Muskegon had allowed in a game was two, which they achieved against Dubuque Oct. 22 and at Chicago Nov. 26. Interestingly, the Jacks lost both of those games.
• Matt DeBlouw (Michigan State) had three assists Feb. 4 vs. Chicago, giving him a team-high six points (1g, 5a) in the season series. Klecha has lit the lamp four times against the Steel, while goalie Hayden Stewart earned his first USHL victory two weeks ago, stopping 35 of 36 Chicago shots at home.

 

Steel cage match

• Both squads are tied for seventh in the East with 29 points, but although Chicago has played four more games than Muskegon, the two teams’ season totals are remarkably similar. Chicago has scored 105 goals to Muskegon’s 108, and the Steel have allowed 151 while the Jacks have seen opponents score 150. In addition, each side has earned eight home wins in 21 opportunities.
• Michael Fallon (UMass-Lowell) is far and away the Steel’s leading scorer with 33 points, but he is going through easily his longest offensive drought of the season, as he hasn’t scored in five games. Andrew Miller (RIT) is Chicago’s top sniper with 15 goals, but he has gone six matches without finding the net.
• Jimmy DeVito (RPI) has scored in five out of six games against Muskegon this season and leads all Chicagoans with eight points in the series. Fallon and Miller each have netted four goals against the Jacks. Goalie Mathias Dahlstrom (Northern Michigan) is undefeated against the Black and Gold in five starts, posting a 4-0-0 record and a .917 save percentage.

 

UPCOMING GAMES (All times eastern)

• TONIGHT @ CHICAGO at 8 p.m.
• Monday @ NATIONAL UNDER-17 TEAM at 3 p.m.
• Friday, February 24 vs. INDIANA at 7:15 p.m. – Dollar Beer/Dollar Hot Dog Night presented by John Morrell. Offer stands from 6-8 p.m.
• Saturday, February 25 vs. INDIANA at 7:15 p.m. – Give Blood, Play Hockey / The Jacks and the Red Cross will be hosting a blood drive at L.C. Walker Arena from 10:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Contact Sarah Lambert at slambert@muskegonlumberjacks.com to sign up!
• Sunday, February 26 @ GREEN BAY at 4:05 p.m.

 

FOLLOW THE JACKS ALL SEASON

92.5 FM The Outlaw is the exclusive radio home of your Muskegon Lumberjacks! Listen over the air or check out the action streaming online at 925fmtheoutlaw.com as Voice of the Jacks Matt Gajtka has the play-by-play. The Meijer Pregame Show begins 30 minutes prior to every game. The USHL is also partnering with FastHockey.com to provide video coverage of all league games this season!

 

TALKIN’ HOCKEY

JackSixty presented by Cinema Carousel is a weekly hour-long talk show devoted to your Muskegon Lumberjacks Tuesday nights from 6-7 p.m. at Hennessy’s Irish Pub & Restaurant. Located at the corner of Jefferson and Clay Streets in the heart of Muskegon, Hennessy’s plays host as Gajtka and co-host Antonio Bartoli talk hockey with Lumberjacks coaches, players and other featured guests on 98.3 FM WLCS!

 

THE SOCIAL NETWORKS

Never go hungry for Jacks news: “Like” the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Facebook and follow “@MuskegonJacks” on Twitter to stay plugged into the Jacks 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Also, find the Jacks’ exclusive YouTube channel at youtube.com/MuskegonJacks!