LocalSportsJournal.com

Team USA has given the Muskegon Lumberjacks fits all season.

The Lumberjacks came into Sunday afternoon’s game with five losses in LSJ Logo incertseven games against the Team USA Under-17 and Under 18-squads.

But the Lumberjacks, who need every win they can get these days, turned the tables on the Under-17s, grabbing a 5-2 road victory in Plymouth, Michigan.

The Lumberjacks improved to 18-20-5 on the season, good for 41 points and eighth place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference. They are 12 points behind Youngstown for the last playoff spot with 17 games left in the regular season.

Muskegon, which was outshot 44-35, helped itself by killing all six Team USA power plays.

The Lumberjacks opened the scoring with an unassisted goal from Jacob Coleman 3:39 into the first period.

Muskegon’s Giovanni Carabelli was awarded a penalty shot after being hooked on a breakaway attempt at the 5:00 mark of the second period. Carabelli connected for his first career United States Hockey League goal, giving the Lumberjacks a 2-0 lead.

Team USA responded with a goal from Logan Cockerill to cut its deficit to 2-1 at the 6:41 mark of the second period.

The Lumberjacks increased their lead to 3-1 with a goal from defenseman Nathaniel Kallen at 14:49 of the second period. Dante Palecco and Matej Paulovic assisted on the tally.

Paulovic added a power play goal at 3:37 of the third period, with assists from Collin Adams and Rem Pitlick.

Team USA’s Tommy Miller made the score 4-2 with a goal at 18:14 of the third period, then Pitlick gave the Lumberjacks their final margin of victory with his league-leading 30th goal at 18:36.

Muskegon’s goaltender Joey Daccord picked up a victory, stopping 42 of 44 shots. The Jacks will return home to host the Omaha Lancers on Friday and Saturday.