The Quad City Mallards continued their exercise in futility tonight, losing 7-4 against the Fort Wayne Komets in a gritty seesaw battle at the iWireless Center. The Komets dominated the first period, the Mallards not getting a shot on goal until there was only five minutes left in the period. The second period was more evenly matched, the home team getting more shots on goal to add to their measly collection from the first period.
Tonight’s game was a battle for first place in the Midwest Division. With the Mallards’ loss, the team now sits at second place and three points out of first place.
The aggressive play began from the opening face-off, Ryan Tesink boarding just 47 seconds into the game and receiving two minutes in the sin bin. Alex Belzile negated the Komets’ powerplay by being called for roughing 47 seconds into the powerplay. Belzile forced Brady Brassart into the stanchion between the two benches to earn the penalty. Belzile had been talking with Olivier Archambault and Raphael Bussieres during warmups along the line near the penalty boxes.
The Komets scored two goals in quick succession, Joe Perry scoring the first off a rebound while Jamie Schaafsma scored the second. Perry’s goal was assisted by another former Mallard, Kyle Thomas. Perry had been a top-scorer for the Mallards last season when he wasn’t called up to the Iowa Wild. He has scored a goal in almost every game he has played against the Mallards. Perry also got an assist on Schaafsma’s goal.
The Mallards answered back in the form of Kevin Henderson scoring his first goal of the season in his first game back after a concussion at 19:16 of the first. Henderson missed 15 games while injured. Henderson was assisted by Tesink and Tanner Eberle. Eberle also made his return to action after missing seven games. Austin Coldwell scored the Mallards’ second goal while on a carry-over powerplay on Will Weber’s double minor for roughing call. Guillaume Gelinas and Matt Neal received credit for assisting Coldwell’s tally.
Before Coldwell’s goal was finished being announced, Perry scored again. Cody Sol received a ten minute game misconduct for unsportsmanlike conduct at the same time as Perry’s second goal.
Ryan Tesink and Jordon Southorn squared off at 5:13 of the second period, ending up infront of the penalty boxes before Southorn took Tesink down. Tesink only got a couple of punches in while Southorn pummeled him.
On the Mallards’ eight shot on goal of the night, they scored their third goal. Matt Carey tipped in a pass from Coldwell and Kevin Gibson. Gibson made his return to the line up tonight after not playing the past ten games.
Shawn Szydlowski broke the 3-3 tie to give the Komets a 4-3 lead into the second intermission at 14:23 of the middle frame.
Perry got his first career hattrick at 8:13 of the third period off a pass from Szydlowski and Southorn. This goal, more than others of the night, was greeted with booing from the fans. Garrett Thompson scored at 12:55 to make it 6-3 Komets, and many fans began to leave.
Sam Warning gave the Mallards another spark a minute after Thompson’s goal, scoring with help from Tesink and Mike Monfredo. However, it was for naught, as an empty net goal was scored with a minute and 31 seconds remaining in the game.
The three stars of the game were
Brody Hoffman made 32 saves on 38 shots for Pat Nagle’s 26 saves on 30 shots.
The Mallards and Komets face off again on Sunday at 4 PM. Monfredo will not be having tomorrow night off, as he will be at the iWireless Center again to be a guest opponent against the Harlem Globetrotters. After the game on Sunday, fans can join the Mallards on the ice in the Post game Skate presented by B100.
