LocalSportsJournal.com

There is nothing like a shutout win and a three-goal third period.

At least the Muskegon Lumberjacks are saying that after their 4-0 blanking of visiting Youngstown on Saturday.

The win was a small revenge for the Jacks after they suffered an overtime loss to the Phantoms on Friday night, breaking a 10-game home win streak at Mercy Health Arena.

Shutout by Lumberjack goalie Cameron Korpi was also a big win for a team who struggled to stop shots early in the season. The Western Michigan University commit posted his first shutout of the season with 20 saves. Korpi, now 4-2 in net, appeared in his ninth game in 2021-22.

The Lumberjacks offense waited through a period and a half of action to put their team on the board, taking a 1-0 lead midway through the second.

Ethan Whitcomb tallied the Lumberjacks’ opening goal and eventual game-winner off helpers from Nick Peluso and Tyler Hotson.

Ben Strinden and Tyler Dunbar started the third period celebrations for Muskegon. Strinden tallied his 16th and 17th goals of the season just 22 seconds apart near the six minute mark.

Dunbar posted assists on both plays and then assisted on Owen Mehlenbacher’s empty net goal that was his fifth goal of the season.

The win continues Muskegon’s push for sole ownership of the top of the Eastern Conference standings. It also places Muskegon tied with first-place Chicago, a feat that looked impossible in November.

As it is now, Muskegon is 21-10-2-2 and has 46 points, tying Chicago’s 46 points.

The Lumberjacks will look to continue their push to be the top team in the East on Friday, January 28, when they travel to Green Bay to start a three-game road trip.

Check out photos from the night’s win, shot by Sondra Workman.