LocalSportsJournal.com

The Muskegon Lumberjacks closed their three-game weekend on a positive note.

Marc Del Gaizo’s power play goal with 2:29 remaining in regulation propelled the Lumberjacks to a slim 5-4 win over the Chicago Steel on Sunday evening at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Illinois.

The Lumberjacks closed out the weekend winning two of their three contests defeating Youngstown at home on Friday, then falling to Team USA Saturday before today’s win over Chicago.

Muskegon is now 18-5-2 on the season, good for 38 points and third-place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings. The Lumberjacks are just one point behind the Steel for second-place.

The Lumberjacks will continue their road trip next weekend with a pair of games against the Fargo Force. Both games are slated for 8:05 p.m.

Chicago opened the scoring with a goal from Sam Stevens at the 6:17 mark of the first period.

The Lumberjacks responded with a power play goal from Alexander Yakovenko at the 17:04 mark of the opening frame and Anthony Del Gaizo 17 seconds into the second period to give Muskegon a 2-1 advantage.

The Steel tied the game 2-2 with a goal from Jordan Seyfert 2:16 into the second period.

Muskegon regained its lead at 3-2 16:22 into the second period on a power play goal from Mark Del Gaizo.

Chicago tied the game 3-3 with a C.J Walker goal 1:50 into the third period.

The Lumberjacks responded with another power play tally at the 4:32 mark of the final stanza from Jachym Kondelik.

The Steel responded with a Robert Mastrosimone goal 13:42 into the third period.

Marc Del Gaizo tallied the game-winning goal for Muskegon and closed out the scoring at the 17:31 mark of the third period.

The Lumberjacks were paced in assists by Matej Pekar and Emilio Pettersen with two apiece while Bray Crowder, Colby Bukes, Yakovenko and Mikael Hakkarainen chipped in with one.

The Steel dominated in shots on goal by a 43-28 margin as Muskegon’s goalkeeper Zach Borgiel stopped 39 shots.