LocalSportsJournal.com

The Muskegon Lumberjacks are continuing their torrid start after defeating the Chicago Steel 5-3 on Friday night.

The Lumberjacks have won the first seven games of the season, which is good for 14 points and first place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.

Muskegon will continue its road trip next Friday against Team USA at 7:00 p.m.

The Lumberjacks opened the scoring at the 3:52 mark of the first period with a goal from Christoffer Bjork.

The Steel responded at the 5:20 mark of the first period with a goal by Matteo Pietroniro.

Muskegon regained its lead 13:58 into the first period on a goal from Egor Afanasyev to give the Lumberjacks a 2-1 advantage after the first period.

Chicago tied the game 2-2 with a power play goal from Neil Shea at the 14:36 mark of the second period.

The Lumberjacks regained their advantage at the 18:56 mark of the second period on a Bobby Lynch goal.

The Steel once again evened the score 5:01 into the third period with a goal from Nick Abruzzese.

Muskegon closed out the scoring with goals at the 6:17 and 19:02 marks of the third period from Lynch and Mikael Hakkarainen, respectively.

The Lumberjacks outshot Chicago by a 26-18 margin.

Hakkarainen and Colby Bukes each chipped in with two assists apiece.

Muskegon goaltender Brandon Bussi stopped 15 of 18 shots to win his seventh game of the season.