Muskegon Lumberjacks hang on for dear life, sweep Omaha in two-game weekend series

LocalSportsJournal.com

OMAHA – The Muskegon Lumberjacks completed the weekend sweep, but only after the Omaha Lancers put a scare into them on Saturday night.

Muskegon led 5-1 past the midway point of the third period before the Lancers scored three unanswered goals to cut their deficit to a one-goal margin.

However, the Jacks were able to hang on and beat Omaha 5-4 to win their second straight contest and four of their last five games. Muskegon is now 21-12-2 on the season good for 44 points and third place in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings.

The Lumberjacks will return home next weekend for a three-game stretch starting on Friday night against the Des Moines Buccaneers. Faceoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Health Arena.

After a scoreless opening period, Muskegon’s Matvei Gridin opened the scoring for the Jacks for the second consecutive night, this time at the 6:25 mark of the middle period.

The Lumberjacks increased their lead to 2-0 with a goal from Ethan Whitcomb at 16:32.

Muskegon found the back of the net for a third time in the period. This time, Ty Henricks scored with just 4 seconds left in the middle period.

Muskegon added a goal 5:10 into the third period as Whitcomb scored his second of the contest to extend the Jacks lead to a commanding 4-0.

The Lancers finally scored their first goal of the weekend midway through the final period at the 9:29 mark on a goal from Will Elger.

Joe Connor closed out the scoring for the Jacks with a goal 12:50 into the third period to give Muskegon a 5-1 lead.

The Lancers started their comeback with a goal from Charlie Lieberman at the 14:03 mark of the third period. Jamison Sluys added a pair of goals at the 15:48 and 17:40 marks to cut the Lumberjacks lead to a 5-4.

Muskegon managed to hold on in the final two minutes of play to earn the victory.

The Lumberjacks dominated in shots on goal, 33-13. Goaltender Miles Roberts stopped 9-of-13 shots in net for Muskegon.

Muskegon struggled on the power play, only going 1-for-6, while the Lancers scored on both of their man advantages.