LocalSportsJournal.com

The Muskegon Lumberjacks have been hot, but were not quite hot enough to top first-place Chicago on Saturday.

Muskegon traveled to Chicago and fell short in a 6-4 loss that the Lumberjacks nearly dug themselves out of. 

Getting four goals from four different players and out shooting the Steel 35-20 was not enough to stage a Muskegon comeback. The Lumberjacks also had first-time goals of the season from Nathan McBrayer and Jake Richard. 

The Lumberjacks fell behind 2-0 after the first period, giving up goals from Chicago’s Joe Miller and Evan Hunter. 

McBrayer started the Lumberjacks’ comeback in the second period and cut Chicago’s lead to 2-1 off an assist from Owen Mehlenbacher.  

But Chicago responded with a Sam Lipkin goal, putting Muskegon back on its heals with a 3-1 deficit. 

Richard’s goal for Muskegon completed the scoring for the second period, putting Muskegon behind 3-2 at the break. 

Phillip Tresca tied the score 3-3 for Muskegon in the first minute of the third period off assists from Jack Williams and Jacob Guevin. The goal was Tresca’s 11th this season.

Chicago again responded with back-to-back goals from Mick Thompson and Jake Livanavage for a 5-3 lead. 

Muskegon’s Ben Strinden tallied his 11th goal of the season to cut Chicago’s lead to 5-4. 

That was all the Lumberjacks could manage as Chicago put in an empty-net goal to snap Muskegon’s five-game winning steak. 

Muskegon continues its four-game road trip on Wednesday when it faces Team USA. The Lumberjacks then head to Green Bay on Friday and Saturday.