LocalSportsJournal.com

For the second straight game of the USHL Clark Cup Playoffs, the Muskegon Lumberjacks came back from a two-goal, third period deficit. But this time the game didn’t end in their favor.

Fighting for a key, Game 1 victory against Dubuque in the Eastern Conference Finals, The Lumberjacks overcame a 3-1 deficit. Just like they did against Green Bay in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Lumberjacks scored the final two goals against Dubuque in regulation to force an overtime period.

Dubuque’s Jayden Jubenvill found the back of the net at the 4:48 mark of overtime to seal a 4-3 victory on Sunday night in Iowa.

The Lumberjacks cut their deficit to 3-2 with a goal from captain Cody Croal, six minutes into the third period.

Muskegon tied the contest at 3-3 on Jack Galanek’s first goal of the playoffs at the 12:30 mark of the third period.

Both teams failed to take the lead in the final minutes of regulation, leading to a 20-minute sudden death overtime period.

The Fighting Saints now lead the best-of-five Eastern Conference Finals, 1-0, and will look to take a commanding advantage in the series on Monday night for Game 2.

The Lumberjacks are slated to return home on Thursday for Game 3 and Friday night for Game 4, if necessary. The fifth and final game is to be played in Dubuque next Sunday if needed, to crown the Eastern Conference champion.

Game 2 is slated to face off at 8:05 p.m. from the ImOn Arena in Dubuque.

Both teams failed to score during the first 20 minutes of play as the Fighting Saints outshot Muskegon 9-5 during the opening period.

Dubuque jumped out to a 2-0 lead with goals from Gavin Cornforth and Fisher Scott at the 3:26 and 5:42 marks of the second period.

The Lumberjacks responded with Ty Henricks first goal of the postseason at the 9:04 mark of the second period.

The Fighting Saints countered with a goal 12:30 into the second period from Teddy Merrill to give Dubuque a 3-1 lead.

Dubuque outshot the Lumberjacks 23-14 through 40 minutes of action.

The Jacks tied shots on goal 27-27 after outshooting Dubuque 13-4 during the third period of play.

Jubenvill scored the game-winning goal for the Fighting Saints, who outshot Muskegon 3-2 during the extra frame, at the 4:48 mark of overtime.

Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev suffered the loss in net, stopping 27-of-31 shots faced.

There were no penalties handed out during the entire 64-plus minute contest.