Muskegon, MI- A rough second period for the Muskegon Lumberjacks (7-7-0-2, 18pts.) created too much offensive opportunity for the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders (13-4-0-0, 26 pts.), contributing to their 5-2 loss on Friday night.
 
The first period saw a goal from both teams, with an early tie promising an exciting game. Cedar Rapids took the first lead as Nathan Chorlton sent it between the bars with help from Henry Lechner. The Jacks saw the back of the net with a goal from Gustas Zemaitis (Barrington, IL), who picked up the puck from Zaac Charbonneau (Gatineau, QC, CA) after a pass from Aiden Janz (Northville, MI). Tonight marked Zemaitis's second goal of the 2026-2027 season.
 
The tie was quickly broken, though: Chorlton and Jackson Fox from Cedar Rapids scored in quick succession, giving the Rough Riders a 3-1 lead. This lead for the Rough Riders foreshadowed the rest of Friday's game.
 
The second period saw intense back-and-forth from Muskegon and Cedar Rapids. Both teams had something to prove, but the only shot that made it past Samuel Doyon-Cataquiz (Montreal, QC, CA) in the second was from Braiden Scuderi. Scuderi's goal solidified the Rough Riders lead heading into the final period.
 
Henry Lechner had something to prove to his younger brother, Teddy Lechner (Bloomington, MN). Henry, the USHL's top scorer, couldn't leave the ice on Friday without scoring for the Rough Riders and found the back of the net early in the third. The Lumberjacks did not go down without a fight, though. Nicholas Kosiba (New Boston, MI), the future Western Michigan Bronco, fought past Joseph Skidmore's powerful net defense and scored the final point of the game 16 minutes into the period.
 
Kosiba had a little help from his friends: the newest addition to the Lumberjacks, defender Josh Toll (Rosemount, MN), and Slovakia native Maxim Simko (Poprad, Slovakia) helped set up Kosiba's fourth goal of the season.  
 
Cedar Rapids' unmatched offense made for a rough ride for Muskegon in their first game back on home ice since early October.
 
The Jacks are back at Trinity Health Arena tomorrow, Saturday, November 14th, closing out the weekend with another game against Cedar Rapids at 6:00 pm Eastern time. The Lumberjacks are honoring Veterans on  Saturday for Military Appreciation Night with a special jersey auction immediately following the game.
Tickets are available at muskegonlumberjacks.com or by calling 231-799-7000.