LocalSportsJournal.com
It’s tough for a team to come back when the other team keeps scoring.
The Muskegon Lumberjacks went into Saturday’s second game of the Eastern Conference finals with an impressive streak of come-from-behind wins. They rallied in all three wins of their first round series, then again on Friday in Game 1 against Dubuque.
But there was no chance for a comeback on Saturday.
The Jacks scored the first goal of the game, then watched Dubuque light up the scoreboard. The Fighting Saints emerged with a 7-3 victory on their home ice to even the series at one game apiece.
The best 3-of-5 series will resume with Game 3 next Friday in Muskegon at 7:15 p.m.
Mark Petaccio opened up the scoring at 6:57 of the first period, giving the Jacks a temporary lead.
Dubuque responded with three quick goals late in the first period and never looked back.
Seamus Malone scored at 12:04, Brett Boeing added a power play goal at 15:16, and Evan Smith scored at 16:56.
Nate Sucese scored a shorthanded goal for Dubuque at 5:13 of the second period, giving the Fighting Saints a commanding 4-1 lead.
Corey Schueneman scored his fourth goal of the playoffs at 6:12 of the second period on a 5-on-3 power play, cutting the Jacks’ deficit to 4-2.
Dubuque’s Hayden Shaw answered with a goal at 8:24.
The Jacks and Fighting Saints each got a goal in the ninth minute of the second period. Tom Marchin scored for the Jacks while Jacob Benson scored for Dubuque at 9:19 and 9:50, respectively.
The Fighting Saints led 6-3 at the second intermission.
Dubuque’s Mitchell Smith scored the only goal of the third period at 6:32.
They Jacks were outshot 38-28. The game was marred with penalties, with Muskegon getting 69 minutes in the box and Dubuque 46.
Muskegon was 1-for-6 on the power play while Dubuque was 1-for-8.