Box Score

What a battle between the two top clubs in the Turner Conference on Friday night in the first of back-to-back games as the visiting Evansville IceMen ended a five-game losing streak with a 5-4 shootout win against the Fort Wayne Komets.

The IceMen now lead the conference by a point over the Komets as both teams entered the game with 76 points.

Evansville jumped all over the Komets in the first period scoring three times.  John Ronan started the scoring just over two minutes into the game and Josh Beaulieu and Malcom Gwilliam later added scores making the count 3-0 after 20 minutes.

The Komets got their offense rolling in the second period when Brett Smith started the comeback just over three minutes into the period.  Jean-Michel Rizk scored just 13 seconds after Smith’s goal and Kaleigh Schrock tied the game at the 13:22 mark.

In the third period, Matt Gens power play goal at the 2:57 mark regained the lead for the IceMen but Colin Chaulk brought his team back once again tying the game at the 5:18 mark.

The game would go to overtime where the teams combined for nine shots on goal (5-4 in favor of FTW) but the goalies were sharp sending the game to a shootout where Nicklas Lindberg landed the game winner giving the IceMen the extra point.

Bryan Gillis made 34 saves earning the win and Gerry Festa takes the loss despite stopping 21 of 22 shots in relief of Nick Boucher who allowed the three first period goals by Evansville.

Todd Robinson finished the game helping on three of the IceMen scores giving the MVP candidate a league leading 86 points on the season

The two teams go at it again on Saturday night with first place once again in the balance.