Local Sports Journal
The road has suddenly turned unfriendly for the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
After winning two straight away from home last weekend, the Jacks dropped their second game in two nights to the host Cedar Rapids Roughriders Saturday, 6-0.
Muskegon dropped to 3-2 on the season while Cedar Rapids improved to 3-0.
The Lumberjacks were shut out for the first time this season.
Cedar Rapids won the game with special teams play, scoring five of their six goals either on the power play or in shorthanded situations.
Muskegon, on the other hand, struggled with special teams, going 0-for-4 on the power play and coughing up two shorthanded goals.
The Lumberjacks return to action next Friday in Lincoln.
“Cedar Rapids played real well,” said Muskegon Coach Todd Krygier. “We made lots of defensive mistakes. It was weird. We played a real good first period, and then we gave up a power play goal and two shorthanded goals. That should not have happened. The puck was not bouncing our way.
“The guys got too high last weekend (after three straight wins), but it’s important that they don’t get too low this weekend. We need to get back to work on Monday.”
After a scoreless first period, Cedar Rapids opened up the scoring 16 seconds into the second on a power play goal by Alec Marsh. Dylan McLaughlin had the lone assist on the play.
The Jacks gave up two shorthanded goals in the second period, the first coming at the 9:56 mark by Cal Burke. Andrew Gaus and Aaron Thaw assisted on the tally, giving Cedar Rapids a 2-0 lead.
Casey Jerry notched the second shorthanded goal for the Roughriders at the 19:01 mark, giving the hosts a 3-0 lead at the second intermission.
The Roughriders took a 4-0 lead 2:55 into the third on a goal from Adam Gaudette. Thaw picked up his second assist on the goal.
Cedar Rapids continued the onslaught with a goal from Andrew Oglevie at the 10:24 mark. Jiri Fronk and Zach Court picked up the assists.
Burke closed out the scoring at the 13:57 mark of the third. Clark Kuster and Thaw picked up the assists.
The Lumberjacks were outshot 29-24. Goalie Ben Blacker got the shutout for the Roughriders while Eric Schierhorn took the loss in the net for Muskegon.
