LocalSportsJournal.com

GENEVA, Ill. – The Muskegon Lumberjacks have been getting solid goaltending through the early games of the United States Hockey League season.

The same held true on Saturday night, but a lack of offense cost the Lumberjacks in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Chicago Steel.

Goaltender Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev stopped 21 of 23 Steel shots, but suffered the setback in net.

Muskegon, which has played five games on the road to start the season, dropped to 1-1-2-1 for five points and seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Lumberjacks have more road games before their home opener at the refurbished Trinity Health Arena on Oct. 26.

On Saturday night, Luke Goukler opened the scoring for the Steel in the opening period.

After a scoreless second period, Muskegon tied the game in the third period on Teddy Spritznagel’s first goal of the season. Danny Klaers and Cameron Aucoin drew the assists.

With 59 seconds remaining in overtime, Hudson Gorski scored the game-winning goal for the Steel.

Muskegon had a 29-23 advantage in shots on goal.

The Lumberjacks’ next road trip takes them to Iowa next weekend. On Friday, the Jacks will be in Waterloo and in Des Moines on Saturday.