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.
[1]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.
[2]