Lumberjacks Fall to Team USA U-18s 7-2 in Home Exhibition Finale
September 16, 2022 – United States Hockey League (USHL) – Muskegon Lumberjacks News Release
MUSKEGON – Playing the elite Team USA 18-Under squad is a big challenge at any point of the season, and for the Muskegon Lumberjacks, who are still developing their roster in training camp, it was a bit overwhelming on Friday.
After taking an early lead, the Jacks fell to the U-18s 7-2 in a morning contest at Muskegon’s Trinity Health Arena. The game was played in front of several thousand students from area schools who came out for the team’s annual “Kid’s Day.”
Forward Ryan Leonard had a big game for Team USA, scoring four goals.
The Lumberjacks, now 1-4, will wrap up their preseason schedule with another game against the U-18s on Saturday in Plymouth, Michigan.
The Jacks will open the regular season on Thursday Sept. 22 with a game against Sioux Falls in Pittsburgh. Their home opener will be Friday, Sept. 30 against Chicago.
The Lumberjacks came out flying in the first period on Friday and took a 1-0 lead when Nathan McBrayer connected on a power play goal at the 2:37 mark. Gavin McCarthy and Tyler Hotson had assists on the tally.
Team USA tied the score at the 5:48 mark with Leonard’s first goal, which came on a power play.
The visitors took control in the second period with four unanswered goals – two apiece from Leonard (at 10:19 and 18:45) and Oliver Moore (at 12:22 and 17:49).
The Jacks played shorthanded for much of the second period, with Team USA benefitting from three power play opportunities and scoring on one.
Team USA added two more goals in the third period, from Paul Fischer at the 7:04 mark and Leonard at 8:26.
Lumberjacks rookie Sasha Boisvert scored his first goal of the preseason at 18:06 of the third period, with Hotson collecting his second assist.
The Jacks were outshot 36-23.
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