By Dave Hart
LocalSportsJournal.com
MUSKEGON – The Muskegon Lumberjacks have overcome many different types of adversity throughout the season, but nothing like must-win situation they faced on Friday night.
Muskegon’s Ethan Whitcomb (11). Photo/Sondra Workman
The Jacks trailed 3-1 heading into the final period and managed to rally, scoring the only two goals of the frame, including the game-tying goal with just over a minute remaining after pulling the goalie for an extra skater.
For the first time this season, Muskegon had to play an extended game. It was the Lumberjacks’ second-longest game since joining the USHL back in the 2010-11 season.
Muskegon completed the comeback win, as veteran forward Ethan Whitcomb netted the game-winning goal to eliminate the Green Bay Gamblers and send the loud, cheering fans home happy with a 4-3 win.
“Our kids have shown a lot of resilience and character all season long, and finding a way to get that late goal and win it in overtime I am just very proud of their effort,” said Lumberjacks coach Parker Burgess. “They are an excited group right now, and we are off to Dubuque.”
The contest was just over 10 minutes shy of the longest game in franchise history, a late double-overtime win over Youngstown back in 2015 in another conference semifinal contest. During that season, Muskegon managed to get to the Clark Cup Finals for the first and only time in franchise history, and they are hoping that they can finally return.
The Lumberjacks will need just three more wins to get to the finals, as they will begin a best-of-five series with the first-place Dubuque Fighting Saints starting on Sunday on the road. Muskegon will play the first two games in Dubuque before returning home next Thursday for Game 3 and possibly Friday for the fourth game of the series.
“We didn’t need to get them ramped up to get through the long game,” Burgess said. “We just kept telling the kids to focus on small, manageable thoughts and tasks. It was just making sure our emotions were directed in the right way.”
The Lumberjacks were handed out the lone power play at the 7:34 mark of the opening period, but they failed to find the back of the net. The Gamblers scored the only goal of the first period at the 13:30 mark from Tanner Bruender.
Cody Croal catches the puck for Muskegon. Photo/Sondra Workman
Green Bay led 1-0 at the first intermission, despite being outshot 10-4 through the first 20 minutes of play.
The Gamblers increased their lead as former Lumberjack William Hughes blasted one in the net to put Green Bay ahead 2-0 at the 2:38 mark of the second period. The contest remained 2-0 to Green Bay, but the Lumberjacks got the crowd into the game 11:43 into the second period when Bauer Berry picked a fight with Hughes.
The fight gave Muskegon a little boost as Xavier Veilleux found the back of the net at the 14:18 mark of the second period to cut the Lumberjacks deficit to 2-1.
The Gamblers took the crowd out of it late in the second period with a goal from Aiden Park at the 18:54 mark, and Green Bay headed into the second intermission with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
The Lumberjacks scored early in the third period to get right back into the game. Justin Solovey continued his post-season tear, scoring his fourth of the series at the 1:53 mark of the third period to cut the Jacks deficit to 3-2.
The contest remained 3-2 until late. The Lumberjacks pulled their goalie with 1:48 remaining in regulation to gain the extra skater to try and score the game-tying goal. Muskegon connected with just over a minute left in regulation on a shot from the right face-off circle by Joe Connor.
Connor’s third goal of the playoffs forced a 20-minute, sudden-death overtime period.
Both teams failed to score during the first 20 extra minutes of play. Muskegon outshot the Gamblers 12-8 during the fourth period.
The Lumberjacks came out swinging in the second extra period and connected on their second shot as Whitcomb netted the game-winner from in front of the net 4:30 in.
“It felt good, and I just can’t describe it,” Whitcomb said after the game. “I am so happy for all the guys. We worked so hard for this. I always do my best to contribute and help the team.”
Muskegon had the only two shots during the second overtime, and outshot the Gamblers overall 48-30, as Shikhabudtin Gadzhiev stopped 27 shots on goal.
Matvei Gridin (92) looks to dig out the puck for Muskegon. Photo/Sondra Workman
Just Solovey voices his displeasure after the play for Muskegon. Photo/Sondra Workman
Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev makes save for Muskegon. Photo/Sondra Workman
Sacha Boisvert crosses the blue line for Muskegon. Photo/Sondra Workman
Ryan Koering (4) battles for the puck along the boards for Muskegon. Photo/Sondra Workman
Muskegon celebrates after the game winning goal. Photo/Sondra Workman
