By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – The Muskegon Risers had a tough mountain to climb, hosting a team that has already scored 56 goals in just three games.
The Risers managed to keep the high-powered St. Louis Ambush2 to just five goals during the first three quarters, but a six-goal fourth spelled doom for Muskegon as it fell, 11-6 on Saturday at Trinity Health Arena.
Muskegon is now 0-3-0 on the season and will look to earn its first win of the season during its next game which will be January 10th on the road against the Minnesota Conquerors. Kickoff is slated for 8:00 p.m.
“A huge upside is we managed to keep them close during the first three quarters of the game,” said first-year Risers coach Michael Boogaart. “We struggled against them during the entire game last time. It helped that we had more players who have played together but it is coming together, and the team will start clicking more for a whole game. as the season progresses.”
Photo/Jason Goorman
Muskegon managed to keep the high-potent Ambush2 offense off the scoreboard during the 15-minute first quarter.
The Ambush2 had the lone man advantage during the first quarter but failed to score due to some brilliant defense by the Risers.
Both teams were scoreless heading into the second quarter.
The Risers opened the scoring off a 2-on-1 break, resulting in a goal by Elmedin Zukic with 8:23 remaining in the second quarter. Fikret Hasovic assisted on the tally.
Photo/Jason Goorman
St. Louis finally ended its longest scoring drought of the season with a goal from Aamahn Murvin with 3:55 remaining in the first half.
The Ambush2 took their first lead of the game late in the second period with 1:37 remaining on a goal by Triston Austin.
St. Louis held a slim 2-1 lead over the Risers at halftime.
Both teams changed goalies after the halftime break, and it resulted in much more offensive chances for each squad.
Ambush2 increased the advantage to 3-1 with a goal from Luis Felipe just 23 seconds into the third quarter.
The Risers bounced back with a pair of goals as Cam Will scored with 13:58 remaining, then Jai Tahlan tied the contest 3-3 with a goal with 13:27 left in the third frame.
St. Louis responded with 6:14 left in the third quarter, scoring short handed on a goal from Triston Austin.
Muskegon tied the game 4-4 with 5:04 remaining in the third quarter on a goal from Pedro Aquillon. Taylor Pill was credited with an assist on the play.
Photo/Jason Goorman
Pill put the Risers ahead for the first time in the contest with a goal with 3:20 remaining in the third.
Ambush2 closed out the third period with a goal from Amer Rados with just 1:12 remaining to tie the contest 5-5 heading into the fourth quarter.
But the Risers fight ended at this point as they were outscored 6-1 during the final 15 minutes of play.
Ambush2 took advantage of a goal scored by the Muskegon defense with 13:46 remaining, then Brennon Austin added a goal with 10:44 left in the fourth to give St. Louis a 7-5 lead.
Zukic closed out the scoring for Muskegon with his second of the game with 9:49 remaining to cut the Risers deficit to 7-6.
The Ambush2 exploded for the next four goals to close out the scoring as Murvin scored his second of the game with 9:33 left and Triston Austin put the ball in the net with 3:32 left to give St. Louis a 9-6 advantage.
Rados Amer (1:55) and Josh Szidik (:15) closed out the scoring with late goals for Ambush2.
St. Louis outshot the Risers 30-16 during the 60-minute contest.
Starting goalkeeper Jake Lofgren stopped 13-of-15 shots faced during the first half, while Austin Salazar stopped 6-of-15 shots faced during the second half.
Photos by Jason Goorman
