Local Sports Journal

Jack Rowe and David Keefer scored two goals apiece to help the Muskegon Lumberjacks post a 7-2 victory over Lincoln Saturday in the USHL Fall Classic West in Sioux City, Iowa.

Muskegon improved to 5-2 in the preseason. The Lumberjacks open the 2014-15 regular season Friday in Ann Arbor against the Team USA Under 17 squad, then have their home opener next Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena against Madison.

Saturday’s game was scoreless until late in the first period when Matt Iacopelli cashed in with an assist from Mason Jobst.
Two minutes later Rowe scored his first goal when he tipped in a rebound from a shot by Cooper Marody.

Newly acquired Steven Merl made it 3-0 Muskegon with 20 seconds left in the first period, with an assist from Tom Manchin.
Rowe got his second goal 16 seconds into the second period when assists from Marody and Griffen Malino. Keefer followed with his first goal with an assist from Merl.

Lincoln got on the board midway through the second period with a goal by Michael Gillespie, then Keefer notched his second goal late in the period to put Muskegon up 6-1.

Dominick Sacco scored for Lincoln in the third period, then Marody tallied for Muskegon with assists from Rowe and Ryker Killins.

Lincoln outshot the Lumberjacks 36-34. Muskegon goalie Michael Latorella stopped 34 shots to collect the victory.