The Muskegon Lumberjacks put themselves in position to get a win on the road with a three-goal outburst in the second period on Friday night.

That gave the Jacks a one-goal lead headed into the third period, and a good chance to break their two-game losing streak.

But the Team USA 17-Under squad was up to the challenge, scoring the only two goals of the third period to beat the Jacks 5-4 in Plymmouth, Michigan.

Cole Hutson scored the game-winner for Team USA with 5:28 remaining in the game.

The Lumberjacks have now lost three straight and are 15-16-2 on the season, good for 32 points and a tie for sixth place and the final playoff spot in the USHL’s Eastern Conference.

Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Owen Mehlenbacher, who scored two goals on Friday.

The Jacks will try to get back on track at home on Saturday night with a game against the elite Team USA 18-Under squad.

The 17-Unders had a 2-0 lead after the first period with goals from Brodie Ziemer (7:25) and Teddy Stiga (11:20).

The Lumberjacks cut their deficit to 2-1 at the 9:09 mark of the second period with a goal by Owen Mehlenbacher.

Team USA regained its two-goal advantage after John Whipple scored 9:57 into the second period.

The Jacks found their burst of offense at that point with three unanswered goals over the last half of the second period to take a 4-3 lead.

Matthew Morden scored at the 10:35 mark, Mehlenbacher added his second tally at 12:28 and Cody Croal found the net at 16:09.

Team USA regained the advantage in the third period with a goal by Stiga at the 6:30 mark and Hutson at 14:32.

Team USA outshot the Lumberjacks by a 38-26 margin. Muskegon goalie Conor Callaghan stopped 33 of 38 shots.

The Lumberjacks were 0-for-3 on the power play and killed all four Team USA power plays.