by Matt Gajtka

GREEN BAY, Wisc.– The venue changed but the result stayed the same as the Muskegon Lumberjacks fell to the Green Bay Gamblers for the second consecutive game, this time by a 6-2 count Friday night at the Resch Center.

 

Much like last Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena, the Gamblers rode a big second period and a productive night from Alex Broadhurst, who accumulated four points on the night to give him seven in two games against the Jacks.

 

Dakota Klecha and Tyler Heinonen found the net for Muskegon (7-8-0, 14 points), who will take the ice Saturday in Chicago to attempt to break a two-game slide. The Jacks remain two points up on the Steel for sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

 

Penalty trouble doomed the Jacks, as they were shorthanded by two men twice and were forced to kill eight Gamblers power plays in all. Muskegon scored a 5-on-3 goal of its own, but it wasn’t enough to counter Green Bay’s pair of power play markers.

 

C.J. Eick gave Green Bay (13-3-1, 27 points) the first goal for the league-leading 13th time, converting Nicholas Schilkey’s pass to the front 6:01 into the game. Reminiscent of their last matchup, though, the two sides would play even hockey until the Gamblers erupted in the second.

 

Immediately after Muskegon buzzed the Green Bay zone for an extended shift, Broadhurst lifted a wrister over Jacks goalie John Keeney to increase the lead to two with 6:46 to go in the middle frame.

 

Four minutes later, Broadhurst took over the team goal-scoring lead with his 10th just after a Green Bay two-man advantage expired, whipping an open look into the goal from the right circle.

 

Heinonen countered for Muskegon with 1:52 left in the period, as he and Travis Belohrad regrouped efficiently in the neutral zone before Heinonen cut to the middle and placed a perfect shot off the post and behind Ryan McKay.

 

However, the Jacks barely had time to work on a two-goal deficit before Nolan LaPorte (power play) and Ville Jarvelainen scored 26 seconds apart to increase the Gamblers lead to 5-1 at the second intermission. The two scores were the fastest in succession against Muskegon this season.

 

Jarvelainen potted his second of the game midway through the third against Paul Berrafato, who relieved Keeney after 40 minutes.  

 

Klecha victimized replacement Green Bay netminder Michael Rotolo to cut the margin back to four goals with 6:07 left. Alex Smith directed an accurate slap-pass to the doorstep, where Klecha guided home his team-leading eighth of the year during a two-man advantage.

 

The goal ended an 0-for-18 drought for the Muskegon power-play unit and was the second 5-on-3 conversion of the season for the team. Matt DeBlouw picked up the secondary assist, getting him back on the scoresheet for the first time in six games.

 

Click here for complete box score.

 

The Jacks and Steel match glares for the fourth time Saturday night at 8:05 p.m. Eastern time. Tune in to 92.5 The Outlaw (or visit 925fmtheoutlaw.com) approximately 30 minutes prior to puck drop for the Meijer Pregame Show!  

 

Muskegon returns home Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday Dec. 3 for a two-game set against Youngstown. Friday is Dollar Beer/Hot Dog Night presented by John Morrell and Saturday is Star Wars Night! The Cans From Fans food drive continues all weekend, as well. Anyone who brings three non-perishable items will receive a free ticket to the Dec. 18 game vs. Indiana.

 

Call the L.C. Walker Arena box office at 231.724.JACK(5225) for Lumberjacks tickets and information, or visit startickets.com or go to your local Meijer.