LocalSportsJournal.com

The Muskegon Lumberjacks have been digging themselves into holes to get out of so far in the 2022-23 season.

The 8-7 Lumberjacks have done pretty well at finding ways to win but still sit in fourth place of the Eastern Conference behind first-place Chicago.

Muskegon faced another tough test as it travelled to Dubuque for a weekend road trip.

On Friday, Muskegon came out with a 3-2 shootout win but fell 5-4 on Saturday. In both contests, the Lumberjacks had to battle from behind.

Muskegon nearly captured Saturday’s game, even after trailing 3-0 midway through the second period.

David Hymovitch started a three-goal rally for Muskegon in the second period as he tallied his fifth goal of the season to put Muskegon on the board. Gavin McCarthy followed up with back-to-back goals, his first and second of the season, and Muskegon held a 3-3 tie to start the third period.

The Lumberjacks could not keep the rally going as they allowed two straight Dubuque goals before the middle of the third period.

Ethan Whitcomb cut Muskegon’s deficit to 5-4 with seven minutes left to play, but the Lumberjacks were not able to make the comeback for the second-straight night.

Muskegon goalie Conor Callaghan took the loss on Saturday but held on to the win on Friday and is now 6-3 overall this season between the pipes.

In Friday’s win, Jake Richard lifted the Lumberjacks with a pair of goals in regulation. Callaghan came through in the shootout by not allowing a single Dubuque shot into the net.

The Lumberjacks next host Madison at Trinity Health Arena for two games on Friday and Saturday, November 25 and 26.