MOLINE, Ill. – Miles Koules scored scored 25 seconds into overtime to give the Wichita Thunder (13-33-12) a come-from-behind 3-2 win over the host Quad City Mallards (26-24-6) Saturday night.
The Mallards did earn one point for the sudden death setback and remain in third place in the ECHL’s Midwest Division and ninth place in the Western Conference.
Koules, who was traded the to the Thunder by the Mallards last week, scored from the left wing circle to consign his former club to defeat.
The Thunder rallied from a 2-0 deficit with two goals from Domenic Alberga. Alberga tied game at two by burying a rebound at 6:25 of the second period after scoring the first Wichita goal from the slot at 12:30 of the first period.
The Mallards jumped on the Thunder for two early special teams goals. The Mallards were on the power play when Vladimir Nikiforov snapped home the opener on the power play at 2:14 of the first. Just two minutes and 15 seconds late Matt Neal doubled the lead on a shorthanded breakaway but Thunder goaltender Adrien Lemay would shut the door on the Mallards the rest of the way.
The Mallards return to action on the road next Wednesday night against the Evansville IceMen. The Mallards next play at home Sunday, March 20 at 4:05 p.m. against the Indy Fuel. The first 1,000 fans ages 12 and under through the doors for the March 20 game will receive free Mallards youth replica jerseys courtesy of WQAD News 8.
With Quad City Mallards release
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