Mavericks' Comeback Falls Short, Lose To Komets 5-4 In Double Overtime

The Missouri Mavericks fell in double overtime to the Fort Wayne Komets by the score of 5-4 in Game Four of the Turner Conference Finals Thursday night at Independence Events Center. The Mavericks overcame a two-goal deficit in the third period and led with 28 seconds to go in regulation before the Komets were granted a power play, converting the power play with 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Frankie DeAngelis scored the game-winner at 2:47 of double overtime, tying the series at 2-2. Charlie Effinger stopped 46 of 51 shots by the Komets. Game five is Saturday evening at Independence Events Center.
Both teams went scoreless in the opening period of play, but combined for eight penalties totaling 16 penalty minutes. The Komets outshot the Mavericks 16-9 in the period.
Ed McGrane got the Mavs on the board at the 8:25 mark of the second period with a power play goal to open the scoring. Andrew Courtney and David Pszenyczny assisted on the goal. Jean-Michel Rizk tied the game with six minutes to go in the second, bringing the score to 1-1. The goal was Rizk’s third in two games. The Komets added two quick goals towards the end of the period from Chris Auger and Brett Smith to take a 3-1 lead. The goals by Auger and Smith were scored within 58 seconds of each other. All three goals by the Komets were scored within 2:48. The Komets yet again outshot the Mavericks 17-11 in the period.
Andrew Courtney drew the Mavs within one goal at the 9:22 mark of the final period of regulation with a power play goal. Kris Hogg and Sebastien Thinel assisted on the goal. With an assist on Courtney’s goal, Thinel now has points in all eight postseason contests for Missouri. The Mavericks tied the game with 7:11 left in regulation on a redirection by Dale Mahovsky off of a David Simoes shot from the point. Missouri took the lead with 1:04 left in regulation on a goal from John-Scott Dickson. Assisting on Dickson’s goal were Ryan Jardine and Patrick Schafer. With a win seemingly in hand, the Komets were awarded a power play with 28 seconds remaining in regulation. Ed McGrane, who had committed just four penalties in the regular season and not been charged with a penalty all postseason, was called for tripping in the neutral zone. The Komets converted on their power play opportunity six seconds later, when Jamie Milam tied the game at 4-4, sending the game to overtime.
Both teams failed to score a game winner through the first overtime and the game headed to a second OT. 1:35 into the second extra frame, Dale Mahovsky, who had not been charged with a penalty all postseason, was whistled for tripping in the neutral zone. The Komets once again capitalized on an opportunistic man advantage with the game winning goal from Frankie DeAngelis at the 2:47 mark of double overtime.
The series is now tied at 2-2 with Game Five of the Turner Conference Finals Saturday night at Independence Events Center. Game six will be played on Tuesday at the Allen County War Memorial in Fort Wayne, If necessary, Game Seven will be next Thursday, also in Fort Wayne.