MOLINE, Ill. – Michael Parks broke a 3-3 third period tie and Adam Vay made 32 saves as the host Quad City Mallards (19-14-2) came from behind to end a six-game losing streak by defeating the Fort Wayne Komets (20-11-4) 4-3 Saturday night.
Parks one-timed the game winner from the left wing circle 8:50 of the third- just 46 seconds after Garret Thompson had evened the score from the doorstep for the Komets.
Parks’ goal was the Mallards’ second go-ahead strike of the third period. Andrew Panzarella completed a run of three straight Mallard goals by sweeping the puck home from the right wing circle at 3:18 of the third.
The stage was set for the third period heroics provided by Panzarella and Parks when the Mallards tied the game at two while on the power play in the second period. Fort Wayne goaltender P.J. Musico’s attempt to clear the puck out of the goalmouth caromed off the Mallards’ Chris Francis and into the Komet net to knot the contest at 12:50 of the second.
It was the Komets who had enjoyed the stronger start. Fort Wayne’s Jason Binkley swooped down the slot to score the opening goal at 5:27 of the first period. Brady Vail doubled the Fort Wayne lead on a breakaway at 12:16 of the first, but Justin Kovacs would start the Mallard rally by halving the Komet advantage from the side of the net at 15:12 of the opening frame.
The Mallards return to action on home ice with a Martin Luther King Day matinee game against the Tulsa Oilers Monday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.
With Quad City Mallards release
Contact the photographer: Rich.Guill@prohockeynews.com (Sean Flynn Photography)
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