Komets Take Game 3, One Win From Title

CLICK ON THE VIDEO TAB TO SEE WANE'S COVERAGE AND EXTENDED INTERVIEWS WITH KALEIGH SCHROCK, COLIN CHAULK, AND AL SIMS.

FORT WAYNE - The Komets are now just one victory away from hoisting the Presidents' Cup as Fort Wayne topped Wichita 7-3 in game three of the finals on Thursday to take a 3-0 lead in the series.

Fort Wayne opened the scoring at 3:22 in the first period when Kaleigh Schrock would light the lamp on an assist from Tom Mele. Just 32 seconds later Bryant Molle would score, upping the Ks lead to 2-0. Wichita's Aaron Davis would score an unassisted goal at 9:43 to cut the Komet lead to 2-1 after one.

In the second period the Komets added to their lead at 8:34 when Daniel Maggio's slapshot found the net on a powerplay. Just 25 seconds later Colin Chaulk would score, giving the Komets a 4-1 lead. Leo Thomas would score at 10:07 to up the lead to 5-1. However, Matt Summers would close out the period with back-to-back goals, cutting the Fort Wayne lead to 5-3 heading into the final frame of regulation.

In the third period Chaulk would again find the net on a great pass from Mike Vaskivuo to make it 6-3 at 2:24. Schrock would net his second goal of the night less than three minutes later to increase the lead to 7-3.

Bryan Hogan started in goal for the Thunder as Wichita's no. 1 goal Adam Russo sat out with a concussion. He stopped 34 of 41 shots.

Nick Boucher stopped 26 of 29 shots for the Komets.

Game four is set for 8:15 p.m. Saturday night at the Coliseum.