PLYMOUTH, MI - Riding a three game winning streak coming out of the holiday break the Muskegon Lumberjacks (15-10-1-1, 32 pts.) traveled to the east side of Michigan for a Thursday afternoon game against the United States development Program's Under-18 team (10-11-1-1, 22 pts.). Despite a close score through the first half of the game the NTDP took over in the third for a 9-3 win.

The NTDP opened the scoring in the first period on the back of a goal from Lukas Van Vliet at the 3:12 mark. Van Vliet got the puck on the near side of the neutral zone and worked into the Muskegon end before ripping a shot under the arm of Beau Lane (Pembroke, MA) and into the back of the net.

Muskegon tied the game moments later at the 5:14 mark thanks to a strong forecheck from Hunter Anderson (Manhattan Beach, CA) and Joe Connor (Amherst, NH). Anderson found the puck in the near side corner and sent a pass to the middle of the slot for Cody Croal (North Branch, MN). Croal caught the pass and fired a shot in one motion for his 10th goal of the season.

Before the end of the period the NTDP regained their lead on a solo effort from Brendan McMorrow. The Minnesota native held the puck on the near side of the net before popping out front, turning, and firing for his first USHL goal of the season.

Both teams found the back of the net twice in the second period to carry a 5-3 scoreline into the final frame. First, with just one second remaining in a powerplay, Christian Humphreys hammered home a one-time blast just 35 seconds into the period.

The Jacks responded with a goal from Ethan Whitcomb (St. Catherines, ON, CAN) just two minutes later. Whitcomb found a puck on the far side of the slot and sent it toward the net and past the unsuspecting goaltender.

Shane Vansaghi was able to beat Lane with a redirection in front off an initial shot from EJ Emery at the blue line at the 9:13 mark to make it a 2-goal game again, but the Muskegon Responded just a minute later with a power play goal. Sacha Boisvert (Trois-Rivieres, QC, CAN) found a rebound in the slot after Gridin had given Easton Young (Grand Rapids, MN) a pass at the top of the blue like to shoot.

Back on the power play at the end of the period Brodie Ziemer finished off a beautiful passing play by the program for his 3rd USHL goal this season and a 5-3 NTDP lead.

The third period belonged to the program with four goals in the final frame to pick up the 9-3 win and end the Lumberjacks winning streak at 3 games.

Lane (3-1-0-0) faced 44 shots and made 37 saves while the Program started with Jack Parsons in the first half. He made 7 saves on 9 shots while Nick Kempf followed in the second half with 4 saves on 5 shots.

The Jacks are back in action this weekend for a home series against the Youngstown Phantoms. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Trinity Health Arena. Tickets can be purchased at muskegonlumberjacks.com or by visiting the box office located inside the VanDyke Mortgage Convention Center on game day.