Local Sports Journal

It’s difficult to win hockey games when your team is constantly skating short-handed.

The Muskegon Lumberjacks were called for 34 minutes worth of penalties Saturday, compared to four for the Chicago Steel.

The Lumberjack infractions included two misconduct penalties and four two-minute minors, which led to three Chicago power plays.

The host Steel scored on all three en route to a 3-2 comeback victory over Muskegon at The Edge Arena in Bensenville, Illinois.

Chicago overcame an early deficit by scoring two power play goals in the decisive third period.

The game was similar to Wednesday’s contest in Muskegon against the Steel, when the Jacks faced six shorthanded situations and lost by two goals.

The Jacks are now 18-9-3 on the season, good for 39 points and second place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.

Muskegon and Chicago skated to a scoreless tie after the first period. The Jacks outshot the Steel 11-10 in the first.

Muskegon’s Trevor Hamilton opened the scoring at the 14:28 mark of the second period, giving the Jacks a 1-0 lead. Christian Wolanin and Keegan Ward picked up the assists on the goal.

Chicago’s Dennis Gilbert tied the game moments later on the power play at the 17:40 of the second.

Muskegon’s Jack Rowe gave the Jacks the lead back one minute later with a goal at 18:57. David Keefer and Adrian Sloboda assisted on the go-ahead goal.

Marcel Godbout tied the game at 2-2 on a power play at 8:48 of the third.

Jake Nielsen broke the tie for Chicago with a power play goal at the 11:35 mark of the third period.