The Fort Wayne Komets advanced to the next round in the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs on Saturday with a 3-2 win over Quad City in Game 5 of the Central Division Semifinals. Fort Wayne wins the series 4 games to 1, and will meet the winner of the Toledo/Kalamazoo series in the Central Division Finals. The Walleye lead that series 3 games to 2 with Game 6 set for Sunday.
In Saturday's game, the Komets jumped out to a 3-0 lead off goals from Trevor Cheek, Jamie Schaafsma and Kyle Thomas. The Mallards fought back with goals from Grant Arnold and Chris Francis but the three goal deficit proved too much to overcome.
Mike Cazzola led the Komets with eight points (3G, 5A) in the series. Cazzola, Thomas, and Schaafsma each had three goals in the series, while Shawn Szydlowski led the Komets in assists with seven. Pat Nagle had a .911 Save Percentage in five games and a 2.25 GAA.
Josh MacDonald was the points leader for the Mallards with six (1G, 5A). Alex Petan, Arnold, and Sam Warning all had two goals each, and C.J. Motte had .912 Save Percentage and a 3.03 GAA.
This marks the fourth straight season that Fort Wayne has reached at least the second round of the playoffs, the only team in the ECHL to accomplish the feat over that span.
Click here to view the complete schedule and results from the 2017 Kelly Cup Playoffs.
Adirondack Thunder
Allen Americans
Atlanta Gladiators
Bloomington Bison
Cincinnati Cyclones
Florida Everblades
Fort Wayne Komets
Greensboro Gargoyles
Greenville Swamp Rabbits
Idaho Steelheads
Indy Fuel
Iowa Heartlanders
Jacksonville Icemen
Kalamazoo Wings
Kansas City Mavericks
Maine Mariners
Norfolk Admirals
Orlando Solar Bears
Rapid City Rush
Reading Royals
Savannah Ghost Pirates
South Carolina Stingrays
Tahoe Knight Monsters
Toledo Walleye
Trois-Rivières Lions
Tulsa Oilers
Utah Grizzlies
Wheeling Nailers
Wichita Thunder
Worcester Railers