DUBUQUE, IA – Just how they ended the Conference Semifinals the Muskegon Lumberjacks trailed 3-1 after two periods of play, and scored twice to force overtime. Unlike last time though the Jacks wound up losing 4-3 in the extra period when Jayden Jubenvill found the back of the net for the Dubuque Fighting Saints.
 
After a scoreless first period the Saints struck for a pair of goals in the early stages of the middle stanza. Gavin Cornforth got the scoring started by finding the back of the net while leading a 2-on-1 rush into the offensive zone just 3:26 into the frame. Fisher Scott added a goal just two and a half minutes later to make it 2-0 in favor of the home team.
 
Keeping the game close the Jacks were able to break the goose egg at the 9:04 mark when Ty Henricks (Mission Viejo, CA) scored his first goal of the post season. Teddy Spitznagel (New York, NY) sent the puck down the ice for Henricks to receive in the offensive zone. While absorbing contact Henricks spun and fired a shot past the netminder to bring the game back to within one.
 
Just a few moments later Dubuque re extended their lead to 3-1. Teddy Merrill led a 2-on-1 rush, and just like their first goal he was able to put the puck across the goal line, and for the second straight game the Jacks exited the second period trailing by a pair of goals.
 
Coming out of the second intermission the Lumberjacks took complete control of the game.  At the 6:11 mark of the third Cody Croal (North Branch, MN) won a battle for position at the top of the crease in time to redirect a shot from the point and Joe Connor (Amherst, NH) to make it a one goal game once again.
 
The Jacks tied the game at 3-3 with 7:30 to play in regulation. David Klee (Castle Rock, CO) carried the puck into the offensive zone and took a hit to make a play. As he crossed the blue line Klee sent a pass to the near side of the zone for Jack Galanek (Hopkinton, MA) to receive. Galanek took the pass and fired a shot under the netminder's blocker. With the goal the Jack's forced overtime for the second time in as many games.
 
Overtime lasted just 4:44 before Jubenville was able to take the puck from the far side wall and towards the net before roofing it to end the game and give Dubuque a 1-0 lead in the best of 5 Eastern Conference Finals.
 
Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev (Makhachkala, RUS) (3-3) backstopped the comeback effort with 26 saves on 29 shots over the 65 minutes. Kevin Reidler (4-1) earned the overtime win with 27 saves on 30 shots.
 
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals is set for tomorrow, April 29^th at ImOn Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:05 pm CST (8:05 pm EST). Catch the game on the official live stream partner of the USHL, FloHockey, and for free on the Lumberjacks Hockey Network on Mixlr.