MUSKEGON – The Muskegon Lumberjacks entered this weekend’s three-game homestand knowing they had had a chance to take a few steps up the ladder in the USHL’s Eastern Conference standings.

They didn’t waste any time doing just that.

The Jacks started the weekend in sixth place, but by the time they beat the Cedar Rapids Roughriders 4-2 on Friday at Mercy Health Arena, they were suddenly in fourth place.

The Lumberjacks are now 8-8-3 on the season for 19 points in the standings. Cedar Rapids and Youngstown, which also lost on Friday, both have 18 points.

Muskegon’s Ethan Whitcomb chases the puck near the Cedar Rapids goal. Photo/Jeremy Clark

Muskegon has a chance to solidify its hold on fourth place with two more home games this weekend against Cedar Rapids, on Saturday at 7:10 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.

“That was heavy playoff-like hockey,” said Lumberjacks coach Mike Hamilton. “There were some big hits and lots of talking going on out there. It was a fun atmosphere to be a part of.”

Muskegon trailed 1-0 at the end of the opening period, while failing to score on three power play opportunities in the first 20 minutes of the game.

“I didn’t like how we started,” Hamilton said. “I thought we came out flat during the first period.”

The Lumberjacks took control in the second period, scoring four unanswered goals to take a 4-1 lead, which included a two-goal outburst in a span of 28 seconds, from Ethan Whitcomb and Parker Lindauer.

Quinn Hutson unleashes a shot for the Lumberjacks. Photo/Jeremy Clark

There was no scoring in the third period, but the Lumberjacks successfully killed off a 5-on-3 shorthanded situation for 1:18 early in the period, and a four-minute penalty for high sticking that was called late in the game.

The Lumberjacks were led offensively by Phil Tresca with two goals, while Jacob Guevin chipped in with two assists.

“We weren’t too happy about our first period performance,” Tresca said. “We settled it down in the room during the intermission and I was able to get a rebound and put the puck in. We weren’t too thrilled with the start of the season, but our confidence has never dwindled and we knew we were a better team.”

Muskegon needed both of the goalies that dressed for the game to complete the victory. The starter, Cameron Korpi, left the game at the 13:45 mark of the second period with stomach issues after allowing one goal on 12 shots.

He was relieved by Alexander Kuleshov, stopped 15 of 16 shots in relief.

Muskegon’s Emil Jarventie beats an opponent to the puck. Photo/Jeremy Clark

One not-so-great part was the Lumberjacks’ performance on the power play.

The RoughRiders are no strangers to the penalty box, with more than 400 penalty minutes, which is more than 100 minutes more than any other team in the Eastern Conference.

Cedar Rapids remained undisciplined on Friday, committing seven penalties for 14 minutes. But the Lumberjacks only connected on one of their seven power play opportunities.

SCORING SUMMARY

First Period

Cedar Rapids- 5:18, Logan Morrell (Carson Peters, Grant Ahcan)

Second Period

Muskegon- :23, Phil Tresca (6) (Jack Williams)
Muskegon- 2:03, Phil Tresca (PP) (7) (Jacob Guevin, Quinn Hutson)
Muskegon- 7:09, Ethan Whitcomb (3) (David Hymovitch, Jake Braccini)
Muskegon- 7:37, Parker Lindauer (3) (Tyler Hotson, Jacob Guevin)
Cedar Rapids- 16:39, Nate Hanley (Cole Burtch, Zaccharya Wisdom)

Third Period

No Scoring