The Muskegon Lumberjacks couldn't capitalize on the numerous chances they created throughout a 2-1 loss in their seventh and final game against Team USA on Saturday night at the L. C. Walker Arena. The Jacks (23-25-8, 54 points, fifth place in the United States Hockey League Eastern Conference) now trail Team USA (27-23-5, 59 points, fourth place in the East) by five points in the race for home-ice advantage in the first round of the Clark Cup Playoffs. Joel Vienneau had another solid outing, stopping 24 of 26 shots, while Mike Conderman notched the Jacks' lone goal on a wicked snap shot from just inside the left-side faceoff circle. The Jacks fell behind 1-0 four minutes into the opening period. Seconds after a successful Jacks penalty kill, Matthew Lane pounced on a loose puck and roofed a shot past Vienneau. Capitalizing on the momentum they'd built through the latter half of the first period, the Jacks equalized just 65 seconds into the second period on Conderman's wicked wrister that clanked off Rutledge's stick-side post and into the net. Team USA caught a break with 25.2 seconds left in the second stanza, when Frankie Vatrano's shot slithered its way through Vienneau's pads to restore Team USA's one-goal edge heading into the third. The goal proved the game-winner. The Lumberjacks will be in Lincoln, Neb., to take on the Stars on Friday before facing off with Waterloo on Saturday. They return to the friendly confines of the L. C. Walker Arena to close out the regular season against the Chicago Steel on April 8 and the Indiana Ice on April 9. To purchase tickets for the final Jacks' regular season home games visit the L. C. Walker Arena box office or dial (231) 726-2400 to get in on the Clark Cup Playoff push.
