Mallards rally for 5-4 shootout victory

The Quad City Mallards (10-23-3) rallied from a 4-1 deficit to the tie score with just one minute, three seconds left in regulation by ripping off three goals in one minute, 46 seconds and then went on to complete the stunning comeback when Chris Izmirlian gave them a 5-4 shootout victory over the host Kalamazoo Wings (20-13-4) by burying the only goal of a seven round shootout Saturday night.

Izmirlian, who was making his ECHL debut, ended the contest after Mallard goaltender Jake Paterson- who made 39 saves in regulation and overtime- stopped all seven Kalamazoo shooters and Wings netminder Joel Martin denied the first six Mallard shootout chances.

The Mallards seemed to be on their way to a regulation defeat when Matt Pohlcamp triggered the late fireworks by reducing Kalamazoo’s lead to 4-2 on a 2-on-1 rush with two minutes, 49 seconds left in the third period. The Mallards had just emptied their net by bringing Paterson to the bench for a sixth attacker when, with one minute, 29 seconds remaining, Keegan Kolesar cut into the slot to make it 4-3 with his second goal of the night. A mere 26 seconds later, just after the Mallards had again thrown on a sixth skater, Kyle Follmer’s blue line blast evened the score and shocked the Wings.

The Mallards found themselves in need of that late turnaround after the Wings twice built three goal leads earlier in the evening. Kalamazoo’s Tyler Heinonen tipped in the opening goal at 4:11 of the first period. The Wings then stretched their lead to three for the first time by scoring twice in just over two minutes in the second period. Charlie Vasaturo fired the second Kalamazoo goal home from the right point at 10:55 of second. At 13:10, Tyler Biggs’ drive from the high slot made it 3-0.

It was during a power play that Kolesar first sparked the Mallards by reducing the gap to 3-1 at 2:29 of the third period with a wrist shot from the right wing circle. At 5:52 of the third Aaron Irving’s rising one timer from the left wing circle stalled Quad City comeback hopes- but only temporarily.

The Mallards return to action on home ice tomorrow at 4:05 p.m. against the Cincinnati Cyclones. Fans can bring their skates to the TaxSlayer Center and skate with the Mallards after tomorrow’s game. In addition,  $1 sodas are available at TaxSlayer Center concession stands during each Sunday Mallards home game.