Lumberjacks pushed to the brink of elimination with 4-1 loss to Chicago in Game 3

LocalSportsJournal.com

The Muskegon Lumberjacks quest for a Clark Cup championship is in jeopardy after a pivotal Game 3 in the Eastern Conference finals.

The Lumberjacks gave up three unanswered goals in a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Steel on Friday on the Fox Valley Arena.

Muskegon now trails the Steel 2-1 in the series and must win on the road Saturday to force a deciding Game 5 on Monday at the L.C Walker Arena. Game 4 is slated for an 8:05 p.m. puck drop.

The winner of this series will face the Sioux Falls Stampede, who swept regular season champion Tri-City, for the Clark Cup.

The Steel opened the scoring with a goal from Robert Mastrosimone 3:12 into the opening frame.

The Lumberjacks responded with a Nolan Sullivan tally 1:57 into the second period. Cam McDonald assisted on the tally.

Chicago regained its lead with two goals in the second period by Nick Abruzzese and Mastrosimone to take a 3-1 advantage heading into the final period.

Neil Shea closed out the scoring for Chicago at the 1:34 mark of the third period.

The Lumberjacks still managed to outshoot Chicago by a 36-27 margin, goaltender Brandon Bussi stopped 23 shots on net.