Local Sports Journal

The Muskegon Lumberjacks erupted early and often in a 5-2 victory over the visiting Youngstown Phantoms on Friday night.

All four goals came in the second half of the first period and three of those came while Muskegon was skating with a power play.

Matt Iacopelli scored his 30th goal of the season to get the Jacks rolling at the 11:33 mark.

Haralds Egle converted a Phantom turnover into a goal and a 2-0 Muskegon lead.

Muskegon scored its second power-play goal of the period while skating with a two-man advantage. This time, Jack Rowe connected on his first goal as a Lumberjack, 11th of the season.

Scott Pooley continued the Muskegon first-period onslaught with a wrist shot that found the back of the net and it was 4-0 for the host Lumberjacks.

Phantom goaltender Sean Romeo got lifted for backup Colin DeAugustine after allowing four goals on 14 shots in the pivotal first period.

The second period was scoreless and Muskegon maintained that 4-0 lead heading into the final 20 minutes.

J.J. Piccinich scored his 22nd goal of the season to get the Phantoms on the board in the third period.

But Muskegon responded quicklyu on a goal by Mason Jobst and it was 5-1.

Youngstown scored its final goal of the night at 4:53 of the final period on a goal from Kiefer Sherwood.  That would be the final marker of the game.

Muskegon outshot Youngstown 45-39 as goaltender Jordan Uhelski posted the victory in net.

Muskegon’s offense was sparked by Iacopelli (one goal and one assist) and Christian Wolanin (two assists).

The Lumberjacks are back at home Saturday night against the rival Chicago Steel with the puck drop slated for 7:15 p.m.