MUSKEGON LUMBERJACKS: The NTDP is set to square up with the Muskegon Lumberjacks for a split home-and-home set this weekend with the Under-17 Team hosting the 'Jacks on Friday night before the U18s hit the road to play in Muskegon.

The Lumberjacks enter the weekend in seventh place in the USHL's crowded Eastern Conference, just one point behind Team USA. The third through seventh place teams in the conference are separated by just two points.

Muskegon is led by Buffalo Sabres draft pick Jake Richard, who leads the team with both 16 goals and 30 points on the season. Ethan Whitcomb, a participant in the 2023 BioSteel All-American Game held earlier this week at USA Hockey Arena, has added 25 points (15g-10a) for the 'Jacks. Forwards Cody Croal (8g-13a) and Owen Mehlenbacher (8g-12a) have also eclipsed the 20-point plateau.

Muskegon has a handful of blueliners that had impressive first halves of the season. The corp is led by fourth-year Lumberjack Tyler Dunbar, whose 19 points (2g-17a) leads team defensemen. George Fegaras (1g-15a) and Nathan McBrayer (5g-10a) have also played well, while Gavin McCarthy (4g-14a) will sit out this weekend with an injury.

Between the pipes, Conor Callaghan is the lone league qualified goaltender for Muskegon. The New Jersey native has appeared in 20 games with an 11-6-2 record, 3.66 GAA and .877 SV%. Team USA has also seen Raythan Robbins in net for the Lumberjacks recently. The Omaha commit has seen seven games of action where he has posted a 3.32 GAA and .905 SV%.

After this weekend, the U18s will face Muskegon in three consecutive contests from March 17-28 to close out their season series. The 17s will finish their season series with a pair of games on February 24-25 in Muskegon.