Allen, TX – A near capacity crowd at the Allen Event Center saw one of the most dramatic comebacks in Allen Americans history on Saturday night, with the Americans erasing a 5-2 deficit in the third period and then taking the win in overtime.
The Americans came out with a good jump in their step, netting the first goal of the game when David Makowski fired a shot past Pat Nagle at 6:54 of the opening frame.
As the period wore on, the Komets stole away the Americans early momentum and it paid off when Cody Sol lit the lamp with just 14 seconds remaining in the period to bring the game level at 1-1.
Fort Wayne went into the driver’s seat in the second period, netting four goals to Allen’s one and took what looked to be an unbeatable 5-2 lead into the third period. Goal scorers for the Komets were Mike Embach, Shawn Szydlowski, and Garrett Thompson with a pair, while Gary Steffes netted the lone Americans goal.
The big story for the night came in the third period with Allen looking up at Fort Wayne who had dominated them through the first two periods and led 5-2. Allen finally got their power play working full tilt in the final period, cashing in twice with the man-advantage on goals by Tristan King and Greger Hanson within the first five minutes and the Komets could sense their lead in serious danger.
Near the midway point of the period, David Makowski fired a wrister past Nagle to tie the game at 5-5 which opened up the last half of the frame to run-and-gun action at both ends. Both clubs battled fiercely through the remainder of regulation but neither team was able to get that final marker.
With game five slated for 4:05 Sunday afternoon, both teams were looking for a quick finish and it was Allen who answered the call. A rebound came loose in front of the Komets net and J.P. LaFontaine was there to jam in the rebound and cap and amazing comeback by the defending Kelly Cup Champs at 3:46 of the first overtime period.
The Americans take their 3-1 series lead into Sunday afternoon’s game with a chance to close out the series and move on to the Kelly Cup Finals for the second straight year.
Game five of the Western Conference Finals is set for Sunday afternoon at the Allen Event Center with the puck drop scheduled for 4:05PM CDT.
Contact the author at maurice.fitzgerald@prohockeynews.com
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