Mallards Edge Komets 3-2 in Shootout

The Fort Wayne Komets (11-5-1) probably imagined their weekend getting off to a different start prior to their game against the last place Quad City Mallards (5-7-3). But the Mallards wound up giving the Komets a fight they weren't quite prepared for. After a scoreless first period, everything seemed to be going according to plan to begin the second period. First, with Quad City's Patrick Levesque off serving the remainder of a late first period elbowing penalty, Justin Chwedoruk deflected a P.C. Drouin shot from the point past Quad City goalie Kyle Jones to get Fort Wayne on the board just 26 second in. Guy Dupuis was also awarded an assist on the power play goal. Then at 1:10 of the frame -- just 44 seconds later -- Tomas Klempa one-timed a shot from the top of the circle off a pass from Colin Chaulk to put the Komets up 2-0. Content with their lead, Fort Wayne seemed to sit back a bit as the period progressed, allowing Quad City to outshoot them 15-4 during the frame. The Mallards took full advantage of the lax play, cutting the Komets lead in half with a power play goal of their own at the 9:30 mark. With Danko Mironovic in the box for holding, Patrick Levesque put a shot past Fort Wayne goalie Tim Haun to give his team new life in the contest. At 14:36, Jason Goulet did the same with his fists, when a fight broke out between him and the Komets Blair Stayzer after a play. The third period began with a scare for Fort Wayne when Patrick Levesque ran into Haun, causing the goalie to hit his head against the right post and lay motionless on the ice for a few seconds. With the Komets top goalie Nick Boucher out with a broken finger, Haun's only back-up was emergency signee Tyler Sims, Coach Al Sims' son. Haun, fortunately, was able to shake off the blow and stayed in the game. Levesque received a goalie interference penalty, but it was cancelled out by a roughing penalty to the Komets Kevin Bertram, who had come to the defense of his fallen teammate. Fort Wayne pressed hard for the remainder of the period, outshooting the Mallards 17 to 3, but at 4:48, it was Quad City's Patrick Levesque that got the equalizer. Juris Stals and Jason Goulet assisted on the tally. Fort Wayne had several good chances to close out the period but failed to convert, sending the game into overtime. Both teams pressed for the victory, with shots an even 4-4, but the extra frame ended without a resolution, ushering in the shootout. It wasn't until the fifth round of the contest that the Mallards Mike Zbriger beat Haun, finally bringing the game to an end. Zbriger's shot was preceded by unsuccessful attempts from Quad City's Juris Stals, Patrick Levesque, Chris Lipsett and A.J. Bozoian and Fort Wayne's David Hukalo, P.C. Drouin, Justin Chwedoruk, Sean O'Connor and Leo Thomas. Kyle Jones stopped 31 of 33 shots for the victory. Tim Haun made 26 of 28 saves prior to the shootout. It was the Komets first loss in games that have gone beyond regulation or when leading going into the third period this season.

Notes: The Komets wore red, white and black throwback jerseys that harkened back to those worn by the team in the 1959-1962 seasons. They will be wearing the retro jerseys at home games throughout the month of December. David Hukalo's name was misspelled as "Hulako" on the back of his jersey. With his tally, Justin Chwedoruk stretched his goal scoring streak to 6 games, the longest in the IHL so far this season. Quad City was 1-3 on the power play. Fort Wayne went 1-4. Announced attendance was 7224. By picking up a point, Fort Wayne moved into a tie for second in the IHL standings with Port Huron, while maintaining the more favorable win percentage -- .676 to the Ice Hawks .639.