The Muskegon Lumberjacks fell just short of an impressive comeback on Saturday night, falling to Dubuque 5-4 on the road at the Dubuque Ice Arena.

Muskegon gave up three unanswered goals to start the game, two in the opening period and one early in the second.

The Jacks rallied and tied the game 3-3 after two periods but were outscored 2-1 down the stretch.

The Lumberjacks are now 8-7 on the season, good for 16 points and a fourth-place tie in the USHL’s Eastern Conference. They will return home next Friday and Saturday night when they host the Madison Capitols.

The Lumberjacks’ Gavin McCarthy (14), who scored two goals on Saturday night. Photo/Tonya Pardon

Dubuque’s Shawn O’Donnell, Theo Wallberg and Ryan St. Louis each found the back of the net for the Fighting Saints in the first period.
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Muskegon’s David Hymovitch scored 6:43 into the second period, then Gavin McCarthy added two goals, at the 13:43 and 17:40 marks, respectively.

The Fighting Saints jumped back ahead with goals from Lucas St. Louis and Ramed Reeder to take a 5-3 lead halfway through the third period.

Ethan Whitcomb scored for the Jacks at 13:01 of the third, but Muskegon could get no closer.

Muskegon outshot the Fighting Saints by a 23-20 margin. The Jacks were 2-for-6 on the power play while allowing two Dubuque goals in three power play chances.
Conor Callaghan suffered the loss in net for the Lumberjacks, stopping 15 of 20 shots on goal.