Local Sports Journal

The Muskegon Lumberjacks scored two second period goals to rally and defeat the Omaha Lancers 4-3 Friday in the first of back-to-back games at the Ralston Arena in Omaha.

The Jacks picked up their first road victory since November 29th.

The victory gives the Jacks a 20-10-3 record, good for 43 points and second place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference. Muskegon is now one point ahead of second place Dubuque, which was idle on Friday.

Omaha’s Matt Joyaux opened the scoring at the 5:27 mark of the first period to give the Lancers a 1-0 lead.

Muskegon’s Griffen Molino tied the game at 8:09 of the first. Juraj Mily and Tom Marchin picked up the assists on the goal.

The Lancer’s Drew Best scored at 10:36 of the first to give Omaha the lead back at 2-1.

David Keefer tied the game for Muskegon at 17:00 mark of the first period. Christian Wolanin and Max Humitz assisted on the goal.

Omaha’s Hank Crone gave the Lancers a 3-2 lead just 13 seconds after Keefer’s goal.

Muskegon’s Jack Rowe tied the game 3-3 at the 14:30 mark of the second period with a power play goal. Newcomer Mark Petaccio and Robbie DeMontis assisted.

Matheson Iacopelli gave Muskegon its first lead and game winning goal at 15:36 of the second period.  Petaccio picked up his second assist of the night on the goal.

The third period was scoreless.

Muskegon outshot Omaha 30-25. Goalie Eric Schierhorn made 22 saves for the Jacks.