LocalSportsJournal.com
The Muskegon Lumberjacks are having a difficult time holding leads against the Team USA Under-17 squad.
In late December, the Lumberjacks had a 4-1 second period lead before Team USA closed the game out with six unanswered goals to win 7-4.
Team USA continued that trend on Friday, scoring the final four goals of the game to overcome a two-goal deficit and beat Muskegon 6-4 in Plymouth, Michigan.
The Lumberjacks are now 13-13-3 on the season, good for 29 points and seventh place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.
Muskegon struggled with special teams, going 0-for-4 on the power play and giving up two power play goals in five shorthanded situations.
The Lumberjacks opened the scoring with a goal from Nathaniel Kallen at the 10:28 mark of the first period. Robbie DeMontis was credited with the lone assist on the tally.
Team USA responded with a goal from Jacob Tortora at 15:20 of the first period, then took a 2-1 lead at 4:31 of the second period with a goal from Sean Dhooghe.
Muskegon’s Max Humitz tied the game 2-2 with a goal at 8:26 of the second period. DeMontis picked up his second assist on the play.
Muskegon regained its lead with a goal from Mitch Eliot at 15:33 of the second period. Collin Adams and Bo Hanson assisted on the goal.
Dante Palecco gave the Lumberjacks a 4-2 lead at 2:08 of the third period. Matej Paulovic picked up an assist.
Team USA cut its deficit to 4-3 with a goal from Grant Mismash at 7:30 of the third period.
Team USA’s Randy Hernandez tied the game 4-4 with a goal at 8:51 of the third period.
Mismash completed the comeback for Team USA with a 5-on-3 power play goal with 2:27 left in regulation.
Dhooghe added an empty net goal for Team USA with 23 seconds left to play.
Team USA goaltender Dylan St. Cyr stopped 23 of 27 Lumberjack shots, while Lumberjack goaltender Joey Daccord made 28 saves on 34 shots.
The Lumberjacks will continue their road trip on Sunday in Chicago at 4 p.m.
