Local Sports Journal

The Muskegon Lumberjacks clinched a berth in the Clark Cup playoffs on Saturday night with a 4-3 victory over Team USA (U-18).

Muskegon Lumberjack Adam Gilmour

Adam Gilmour scored what proved to be the game-winning goal for the Lumberjacks on Saturday night.

The Lumberjacks improved to 30-19-10 for 70 points. It was the final game of the season series between the Jacks and Team USA with Muskegon winning seven of the eight games.

Team USA outshot the Lumberjacks 50-26, but goaltender Kevin Lindskoug stopped 47 shots and improved his record to 23-15-6.

Muskegon got on the board early on a goal by defenseman Michael Brodzinski. That goal came just 1:21 into the contest. Chad McDonald won a faceoff and slid the puck back to Brodzinski, whose shot from near the blueline sailed through a screen and high into the net.

Shawn Eiserman tied the game for the visitors at 13:57. Less than 4 minutes later, Tyler Kelleher gave Team USA a 2-1 lead with his ninth goal of the season.

Joe Cox notched his 20th goal of teh season with 28 seconds left in the first period. Mason Jobst and Cullen Hurley assisted.

More offensive pressure in the second period resulted in Frederik Tiffels third goal of the season. He knocked in a rebound of his own shot in front of the Team USA crease and Muskegon led 3-2. Connor Hurley and Rasmus Bengtsson assisted.

The lead grew to 4-2 at the 9:34 mark when Adam Gilmour corraled a loose puck and scored from the slot. Connor Hurley and McDonald drew the assists on Gilmour’s 19th goal of the season.

Michael McCarron pulled the visitors to within a goal at 12:46 of the final period, but that would be the last goal against Lindskoug and the Lumberjacks.

Saturday’s game also marked the final game of a four-game suspension to Lumberjack forward Cameron Darcy.