(Photo Credit: Blake Sebring / The News-Sentinel)
FORT WAYNE, IN. - The Fort Wayne Komets (38-17-5-2) used a late-third push to break away from a see-saw affair against the Norfolk Admirals (24-35-4-0) on Wednesday night.
There was just one goal in the opening 20 minutes of play in Indiana, coming from the home team's Travis Ewanyk. Along the glove side wall of Philippe Desrosiers, the former Idaho Steelhead sent a strong pass in front, looking for Garrett Thompson. The puck found its way past Philippe Desrosiers, deflecting off the inside of Paul Cianfrini's skate and in.
Less than three minutes into the second period the Admirals were able to knot the score at 1-1 though, thanks to Trevor Gerling. While shorthanded, Cianfrini cut into the zone and left the puck for new forward Scott Jacklin. Jacklin found a streaking Gerling behind his defender and able to deflect one behind Pat Nagle for his first as an Admiral.
Prior to the second period coming to a close, Fort Wayne snagged the lead once again on Gabriel Desjardins' first of the evening. After receiving a pass in the neutral zone, the fourth year pro skated into the Admirals defending end, used Gerling as a screen and fired one past Desrosiers to give his team a 2-1 advantage.
Both teams used the final frame of regulation to catapult their offense, combining for six goals over the course. Domenic Alberga set the score back to even just 1:35 in, coming on the power play.
After seven minutes of scoreless play, the two most recent goal scorers, Desjardins and Alberga, traded another one each, pushing it to a 3-3 game.
However, rookie sensation Mike Cazzola had a fourth Fort Wayne goal in store, coming with just 4:38 left in regulation. Left unmarked down low, a Derosiers rebound was kicked right to the Acadia University product for a slam dunk to put the Komets ahead 4-3.
Brett Perlini would capitalize on a two-on-none and Cody Sol hit an empty netter for Fort Wayne as well, sounding the buzzer with a 6-3 final in their favor.
The Admirals will now head to Kalamazoo to take on the Wings this Friday and Saturday, followed by a Sunday evening battle in Toledo.
After that the team will return to Norfolk for a Wednesday evening contest at Norfolk Scope Arena to take on the Atlanta Gladiators at 7:15. Tickets are on sale now on Ticketmaster.com and at the Scope box office.
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