CRANBERRY TWP., PA. – The Lancers boarded a plane at Eppley Airfield in Omaha, Nebraska Friday morning (9/22) for the 2023 United States Hockey League Fall Classic. The first matchup, the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
 
The first period brought scoring chance after scoring chance for the Lancers, but they found nothing but iron twice, along with some incredible saves by Lumberjacks Goaltender, Paxton Giesel.
 
The lone goal of the period came from Muskegon, as Joe Conner buried a one-timer off a feed from Cody Croal for a power-play tally at the 17:07 mark of the period. The 'Jacks were able to carry that 1-0 lead into the intermission despite the Lancers leading in the shot count 11-9 through 20 minutes.
 
Muskegon kept some of that late first period momentum as they migrated into the second frame of the matchup. A goal just 50 seconds in from Ethan Whitcomb on the man-advantage extended the Lumberjack's lead to two.
 
Following nearly 15 minutes of scoreless hockey, Muskegon managed to strike again. This time it was Hunter Anderson burying a second opportunity after a shot from Whitcomb. Claiming the 'Jacks a demanding 3-0 lead late in the second period.
 
The Lancers showed more life just under a minute later as the preseason point leader, Jamison Sluys went top-shelf on Giesel to pull Omaha within two goals heading into the third. Making it a 3-1 game with Muskegon leading.
 
The Lancers had themselves a great deal of shots on goal through 40 minutes with 27. Strong play from Giesel lead him to a 0.963 save percentage through two frames.
 
The third period brought the most scoring on the day including three goals from Matvei Gridin, pushing the Lumberjacks up to six goals on the night, as well as Chase Cheslock netting a shot from the blue line for his second goal of his brief USHL career.
 
Starting Goaltender, Croix Kochendorfer was pulled from the net with just over 14 minutes remaining. Seeing 22 total shots on goal and making 17 saves. Jack Olson finished out the last portion of the final period, allowing one goal on five shots. Finishing the game as a 6-2 win for Muskegon.
 
The Lancers will be back in action Sunday, Septmeber 24^th for a 2:30pm EST. puck drop against the Team USA U18s. That game can be caught on FloSports and Mixlr.