LocalSportsJournal.com
Matel Paulovic picked the perfect game to heat up.
The Muskegon Lumberjack forward scored two goals Saturday, including the game winner in the third period, to propel the Lumberjacks to a much needed 4-3 victory over the host Sioux City Musketeers.
Paulovic’s second goal allowed the Lumberjacks to salvage the victory after giving up a two-goal lead.
The win was crucial for Muskegon, which had lost five of its past six games, including Friday’s contest in Sioux City.
Muskegon is now 28-17-4 on the season.
Paulovic opened the scoring for the Jacks at 5:45 of the first period. Griffen Molino picked up the lone assist on the goal.
Tom Marchin gave the Jacks a 2-0 lead with a power play goal at 15:01 of the first period. Molino and Paulovic each picked up their second point of the night with assists on the goal.
Sioux City’s Neal Pionk cut the deficit in half 43 seconds later.
Jacks led 2-1 after the first period despite being outshot 15-7.
Mark Petaccio scored at 12:13 of the second period to give the Jacks a 3-1 lead. Christian Wolanin picked up the lone assist on the goal.
The Musketeers tied the game with two quick goals from Robert Carpenter and Sebastian Repo at the 7:31 and 7:46 mark of the third period, respectively, to tie the game 3-3.
Paulovic scored the game winning goal at 9:12 of the third period. Molino picked up his third assist of the night on the goal.
Jacks goalie Eric Schierhorn stopped 39-of-42 Musketeer shots.
The Lumberjacks continue their road trip Friday against the Chicago Steel. Faceoff will be at 8 p.m.
