Lumberjacks drop their second game in a row with a 3-1 loss in Dubuque

Localsportsjournal.com

The Muskegon Lumberjacks’ road trip has taken a turn for the worse, due to a poorly-timed scoring slump.

After scoring only two goals in a loss on Monday, the Jacks dropped their second straight game Friday with a 3-1 loss to the Dubuque Fighting Saints at the Mystique Ice Center.

The Lumberjacks are now 26-15-3 on the season. They are tied for second place with Youngstown in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings, one point ahead of Dubuque.

The first period ended in a scoreless tie, with Dubuque outshooting the Jacks 14-10.

Dubuque’s Nate Sucese opened the scoring at 12:09 of the second period.

Muskegon’s Liam McGing tied the game 1-1 at 4:12 of the third period, with an assist from Matej Paulovic.

The Fighting Saints took a 2-1 lead on a goal by Mitchell Smith at 7:01 of the third period.

Jacob Benson added an empty net goal with 1:03 left in the game to give the Fighting Saints their final margin of victory.

Dubuque goalie Jacob Nehama stopped 28-of-29 shots in the victory, while Muskegon’s Eric Schierhorn made 45 saves in a losing effort.

The Lumberjacks will close out their five game road trip Saturday against the Chicago Steel.