Muskegon erased a two-goal deficit in the third period and won in the second overtime

Wow. Few more words can describe what happened inside Trinity Health Arena on Friday night.

With the Green Bay Gamblers and Muskegon Lumberjacks playing in a decisive Game 5 in the 2024 Clark Cup Playoffs, the Jacks scored twice in the third period to erase a two-goal deficit.

In double overtime, Ethan Whitcomb completed the comeback with a backhander in the low slot, sending the Muskegon faithful into a frenzy.

With the win, the Lumberjacks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals and will face the No. 1-seed Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Let's get to our takeaways from Friday.

No Quit In Jacks

Combined with a 3-1 lead and Adam Gajan not allowing much through the first 40 minutes, the Green Bay Gamblers had a stranglehold on a trip to the Conference Finals.

Until they didn't.

Justin Solovey's long-range shot through traffic brought Muskegon back within a goal. With the tally, Solovey collected four goals in the five-game series.

Then, with the extra attacker on the ice, Joe Connor wired a shot from the top of the right-wing circle that found the back of the net.

Tied at three goals apiece, the Gamblers and Lumberjacks, who finished tied in the standings with 78 points during the regular season, appropriately needed more than 60 minutes to decide the outcome.

Whitcomb Plays Hero

Ethan Whitcomb had been quiet through the first four games of the series and the first 80 minutes of play in Friday's Game 5. However, the third-year forward delivered when his team needed him.

Just 4:30 into the second overtime period, Cody Croal delivered a pass from below the net to Whitcomb in front. The latter turned and sent a backhander into the Green Bay net.

The Lumberjacks will have little time to celebrate the win as Muskegon will travel to Dubuque on Sunday. The Jacks won just one of the five regular-season meetings between the two teams.