SPORTS digest

Lumberjacks whack Phantoms

MUSKEGON, MICH.

Back-to-back four goal periods powered the Muskegon Lumberjacks to Friday’s 8-2 victory over the Youngstown Phantoms (4-7-0-2) at L.C. Walker Arena.

They will play again there tonight.

The Phantoms took a 1-0 lead on Brett Murray’s goal set up by Connor MacEachern and Jack Malone.

In the second period, the Lumberjacks’ Mikael Hakkarainen tied the game. Then Craig Needham scored for a 2-1 Phantoms’ lead. Dalton Messina set up the goal.

The Lumberjacks (11-1-0-0, 22 points) responded with seven unanswered goals.

Christian Stoever made 24 saves) for Youngstown before being lifted for Jon Mor.

Mor allowed one goal and made two stops in the final minutes.

Spielman to speak at Hearts & Stars Gala

COLUMBIANA

The Salem Regional Medical Center (SRMC) Foundation has announced former Ohio State All-American and NFL All-Pro linebacker Chris Spielman will be the featured speaker for its 2019 Hearts & Stars Gala on March 23 at 6 p.m. at The Vineyards at Pine Lake.

Proceeds raised through the event will be used locally to support cancer care at SRMC.

Spielman serves as an analyst for FOX Sports and is the author of “That’s Why I’m Here: The Chris & Stefanie Spielman Story,” which chronicles his family’s journey through his late wife Stefanie’s 11-year battle with breast cancer.

The 2019 Gala will feature a cash bar and appetizers, an upscale dinner and desserts, and a silent auction. Tickets cost $85.

To learn more about the Hearts and Stars Gala and sponsorship opportunities, contact Amy Reed at 330-337-2883 or foundation@salemregional.com.

New Castle swimmer chooses Salem

NEW CASTLE, PA.

Zachary Bell, a senior from New Castle High School and swimmer for the New Castle YMCA’s Silver Sharks Swim Team, has been offered a scholarship to attend Salem University in Salem, W. Va.

Bobrovsky leads Jackets past Caps

WASHINGTON

The Columbus Blue Jackets’ NHL-worst power play scored twice and Sergei Bobrovsky made 33 saves in a 2-1 victory over the defending Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals on Friday night.

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored in his return to the lineup and Anthony Duclair had his seventh goal of the season for Columbus, which has three power-play goals during its two-game winning streak. It entered the night 7 of 59 on the power play, an 11.9 percent conversion rate that was last among the league’s 31 teams.

Bobrovsky bailed his teammates out on a turnover-filled night that saw him face 34 shots. Fellow Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby did the same for the Capitals, stopping 34 of the 36 shots he faced.

Washington’s two-game winning streak came to an end despite a power-play goal from Matt Niskanen and strong play at 5-on-5. The Capitals haven’t allowed an even-strength goal in their past three games.

Wheeler, Connor propel Jets to romp

WINNIPEG, Manitoba

Blake Wheeler had an empty-net goal and four assists in the Winnipeg Jets’ 5-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Friday night.

Wheeler extended his point streak to nine games. He has two goals and 15 assists during the run, and is second in the NHL with 18 assists overall — one behind Colorado’s Mikko Rantanen.

Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms 2012-15) and Patrik Laine had power-play goals, giving the Jets at least one power-play goal in 11 straight games to add to a franchise record.

Mark Scheifele and Nikolaj Ehlers also scored, with Scheifele adding an assist.

Connor Hellebuyck made 27 saves.

Staff/wire report