MUSKEGON – The Muskegon Lumberjacks showed a lot of fight on Saturday night.

Unfortunately their scrappiness did not lead to a much-needed victory.

A lot of people were questioning the team’s toughness on Friday, after a Team USA player plowed into Muskegon goalie Aleksandr Kuleshov, nobody retaliated on his behalf, and the Lumberjacks limped off with an 8-4 loss.

Saturday was a different story, at least from a physical perspective.

The Jacks showed their willingness to drop the gloves in a big brawl in the second period, which included three fights on the ice at the same time.

The brawl was costly though, because Jacks goalie Chase Clark was kicked out of the game for joining the skirmish, and the Jacks were hit with a five-minute major penalty.

The Team USA 18-Under squad took advantage of the long power play, scoring two quick goals to break open what had been a tied game. The visitors added four more in the third period and handed the Jacks another 8-4 loss in front of a big crowd at Mercy Health Arena.

While Friday and Saturday’s scores were identical, Lumberjacks Coach Mike Hamilton was much happier with his team’s effort and willingness to get physical with the 18-Unders.

On the other hand, he admitted that the brawl came at an inopportune time, with the game tied 2-2.

“It probably wasn’t the smartest point in the game for that situation,” Hamilton said. “We had come back to tie it 2-2 and we had the momentum, then we gave it right back to them with a five-minute power play.

“The good part is that the guys didn’t quit, which was a step in the right direction. I really didn’t like the way they responded last night. They hit our goalie, and the guys probably should have stood up for their teammates more. Tonight they at least stood up for each other, which we love to see.

“If the guys keep working hard, we have a team that can do some things.”

Muskegon fell to 25-17-3 on the season. The loss was the Jacks’ fifth in the last six games, and their third straight at home.

A few weeks ago Muskegon was in the middle of the battle for first place in the USHJL’s Eastern Conference. With their recent cold streak, however, they Jacks are struggling to remain in the mix.

They came into the game in third place, nine points behind first-place Dubuque, eight behind second-place Chicago and only four in front of fourth-place Youngstown.

The Jacks will host Dubuque next Friday and Saturday night in a pair of very big games.

“It’s not a good time for it, that’s for sure,” Hamilton said about the recent slump. “Youngstown has played two fewer games than us, and has been playing real well. We have Dubuque coming in next week, so it won’t get any easier. We have to figure out a way to get some W’s.”

The first period went badly for the Jacks, who were outshot 19-4.

Team USA’s Brady Berard scored at the 2:28 mark and Ryan Chesley added a goal with 25 seconds left in the period, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead at the first break.

The Lumberjacks battled back in the second period, getting goals from Joey Larson at 8:51`and Owen Mehlenbacher at 12:56 to tie the game at 2-2.

The big fight occurred near the Lumberjacks’ net at the 13:17 mark of the second period, with three lively skirmishes happening on the ice at the same time. Clark jumped into the brawl and did his share of scrapping, but his participation led to a game misconduct penalty for him and a five-minute major for the Jacks.

There were a total of 71 penalty minutes handed out in the second period alone, and 81 minutes in the game.

Clark had been playing well in goal, stopping 23 of 25 Team USA shots. He was replaced by backup Cameron Korpi, who came into the game cold and struggled against the talented 18-Unders.

Team USA quickly capitalized on the five-minute power play with goals by Jimmy Snuggerud at the 13:27 mark and Logan Cooley less than a minute later, and suddenly the visitors led 4-2.

The Jacks kicked up their heels again when Jacob Guevin scored at 16:14 of the second period, and the 18-Unders led 4-3 at the second intermission.

The game got away from the Jacks in the third period. Team USA built on its lead with goals from Will Smith at 7:18 and Rutger McGroarty at 10:53 to take a 6-3 lead.

Larson collected his second goal of the game at the 16:20 mark for Muskegon, making the score 6-4. Larson also had two assists in the contest.

The visitors added two late goals from Lane Hutson and Smith to wrap up the scoring.

Team USA outshot the Jacks 45-33. Korpi made 13 saves on 18 shots in relief of Clark.