LocalSportsJournal.com
The Muskegon Lumberjacks opened the 2017 postseason with a heartbreaking loss.
The Lumberjacks traveled to Dubuque on Friday to open their first-round USHL playoff series against the Fighting Saints.
They trailed in the third period, tied the game with a Bo Hanson goal with 1:45 remaining in regulation, then lost the hard-fought contest 4-3 in overtime.
The Fighting Saints, who lead the best-of-five series 1-0, won on a goal from Colin Theisen at the 14:46 mark of the sudden-death extra period.
Collin Adams paced the Lumberjacks with two goals while Austin Albrecht chipped in with two assists.
Game 2 will be Saturday night in Dubuque. Game 3 will be next Thursday in Muskegon.
The Lumberjacks opened the scoring with a power play goal from Adams at the 7:27 mark of the first period.
The Fighting Saints responded with a Dallas Gerads goal at 10:17 of the first period to tie the score 1-1.
Muskegon regained its lead when Adams scored his second goal at 13:13 mark of the first period.
The Fighting Saints tied the game 2-2 at the 10:42 mark of the second period on a power play goal from Austin Rueschhoff.
Dubuque gained its first lead of the contest, 3-2, with a goal from Quinn Preston at 4:55 of the third period.
Hanson’s goal, with 1:45 left on the clock, sent the game to overtime, then Thiesen settled the issue in Dubuque’s favor with his overtime goal.
Dubuque outshot the Lumberjacks by a 31-28 margin.
Keith Petruzzelli took the loss in net for Muskegon.
