MUSKEGON, Mich – The Muskegon Lumberjacks returned to the home comforts of the L.C. Walker Arena for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final against the visiting Dubuque Fighting Saints seeking to regain the upper hand of the best-of-five series. A close affair saw the Lumberjacks jump out with a pair of first period goals that proved to 
be just enough as Eric Schierhorn provided the spark for the home team the rest of the way posting 46 saves in a 3-1 final to help Muskegon regain the series advantage at 2-1 while now being one win away from clinching a spot in the Clark Cup Final.
The Lumberjacks got off to a quick start lacing the first period’s lone two goals to take an early 2-0 lead going into the first intermission break. Beginning at the 8:59 mark, Tommy Marchin (2) redirected a power play goal in the low slot and through the five-hole of Jacob Nehama (4-2) that was helped by Corey Schueneman and Christian Wolanin.
Later in the opening frame, Muskegon doubled the advantage with a two-on-one odd man rush leading to Matej Paulovic (1) firing home a loose rebound on the backdoor and into the back of the open net past Nehama that was assisted by Griffen Molino and Schueneman.
The Lumberjacks outshot Dubuque during the opening 20 minutes of regulation by a 17-9 margin. Muskegon was 1-for-2 on the power play, while Dubuque started off 0-for-2.
The second period featured a goaltending showcase put forth by Schierhorn (5-2) in which the Minnesota commit stopped all 19 shots that came his way during the middle 20 minutes of regulation. The Lumberjacks continued to hold on to its two-goal advantage going into the final frame of regulation. Dubuque overtook the shots on goal battle, 28-21, after outshooting Muskegon during the second, 19-4. The Fighting Saints had the only two man advantage opportunities of the middle stanza but did not convert on either attempt.
The same score held firm for the bulk of the third period until the Fighting Saints broke the shutout with 2:58 remaining in regulation after pulling Nehama for the extra attacker. After mass chaos ensued in front of Schierhorn, Jacob Benson (3) found a loose rebound and eventually cut the deficit to 2-1 that went unassisted.
Ultimately, the Lumberjacks were able to seal the deal after Dubuque pulled Nehama again only to have Molino (3) sneak in a long range empty-netter with 1:53 left to cap off the night offensively for both sides. Paulovic and Joseph Cecconi aided on the marker.
Dubuque outshot Muskegon for the night, 47-35. Nehama posted a 32-save night for the Fighting Saints in the road setback. Muskegon finished 1-for-3 on the power play, while Dubuque went 0-for-3. Griffen Molino (one goal, one assist), Matej Paulovic (one goal, one assist), and Corey Schueneman (two assists) led the Lumberjacks’ offensive output with two points each. Schueneman, who set a new Lumberjacks team playoff mark in overall scoring surpassing Matt DeBlouw’s (2011) original total of eight, leads the Lumberjacks offense during the playoffs with ten points (four goals, six assists) followed by Molino with eight (three goals, five assists). Combined between the regular season and playoffs, the Lumberjacks improve to 4-3-0 this season against the Fighting Saints that includes a 2-1-0 mark at home.
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