Chris Clegg
NPHL.com Writer
A stunning comeback highlighted the hometown Manning Comets’ upset 6-5 shootout victory over the Falher Pirates Friday, Nov. 23.
The Pirates led 3-0 after one period on goals from Jay Bouchard, Trevor Mazurek and Dallas Brochu, and 5-1 after two periods. Brian Sommers and Jay Anderson scored for the Pirates while Josh Rutherford scored the only Comets’ goal.
But the third period was a different story. Dave Lawrence scored on the power play, then Michael Gillen short-handed and the Comets were back in the game trailing 5-3.
Thomas Dechant then scored on another power play with 4:06 left to pull the Comets to within one. Josh Rutherford was awarded a penalty shot and scored to tie the game with 2:13 remaining.
The Comets were awarded another power play in overtime with Dallas Brochu sent off for tripping with 29 seconds left, but the Comets failed to capitalize and the teams headed to a shootout. Rutherford, who was Manning’s third shooter, scored and Comets’ goaltender Braden Gamble stopped four of five Pirates’ shooters to seal the win.
Overall, Gamble stopped 45 of 50 shots as the Pirates outshot the Comets 50-36.
The Pirates had won four of their last five visits to Manning the last two seasons.
The win also marked the first time in the last 12 home games that the Comets scored six goals on the Pirates.
Of note, it was the first time in 17 games this season that an NPHL team who trailed after two periods came back to win a game.
And, the battle of the NPHL’s two most penalized teams held true. The teams combined for 82 PIMs, 49 to the Pirates and 33 to the Comets.
Pirates 5 at Comets 6 (SO)
Friday, Nov. 23
First period
1. FAL, Jay Bouchard 1 (Jay Anderson, Jeff Chalifoux) 6:27
2. FAL, Trevor Mazurek 2 (Brian Sommers, Rollie Gladue) 12:29
3. FAL, Dallas Brochu 8 (Taylor Cote, Trevor Tokarz) 18:22
Penalties: Dakota Mason FAL and Jarod Lorencz MAN (holding) 9:28, Dave Lawrence MAN (slashing) 12:39, Pat Rowan FAL (hooking) 12:47.
Second period
4. MAN, Josh Rutherford 6 (Dave Lawrence, Adam Larsen) 00:12
5. FAL, Brian Sommers 7 (Trevor Mazurek, Kevin Monfette) 4:59
6. FAL, Jay Anderson 2 (Jeff Chalifoux, Trevor Tokarz) 16:49 (pp)
Penalties: Comets’ bench minor (too many men, served by Taylor Paulovich) 1:42, Jeff Chalifoux FAL (slashing) 6:38, Brian Sommers FAL (slashing) 13:11, Darren Kramer FAL and Joel Henitiuk MAN (roughing) 15:56, Jarod Lorencz MAN (roughing) 16:12, Darren Kramer FAL and Josh Rutherford MAN (roughing after the whistle) 20:00.
Third period
7. MAN, Dave Lawrence 4 (Tyler Dillman, Thomas Dechant) 3:40 (pp)
8. MAN, Michael Gillen 1 (Tyler Dillman) 9:14 (sh)
9. Thomas Dechant 2 (Josh Rutherford, Jason Lambert) 15:54 (pp)
10. MAN, Josh Rutherford 7 (unassisted) 17:47 (penalty shot)
Penalties: Pirates’ bench minor (too many men, served by Trevor Mazurek) 1:18, Rollie Gladue FAL (slashing) 2:40, Jeff Chalifoux FAL (slashing, misconduct) and Jay Anderson FAL (fighting major, game misconduct) and Dave Lawrence MAN (roughing, fighting major, game misconduct) 3:39, Thomas Dechant MAN (roughing) 3:56, Britt Olischefski MAN (high-sticking) 8:34, Jay Bouchard FAL (boarding) 14:10, Pat Rowan FAL (tripping) 14:45, Michael Vreeling MAN (unsportsmanlike) 17:47.
Overtime
No scoring.
Penalty: Dallas Brochu FAL (tripping) 4:31
Shootout
Manning wins shootout 2-1.
FAL Shooters: Dakota Mason, no goal; Pat Rowan, no goal; Jay Bouchard, goal; Jeff Chalifoux, no goal; Brian Somers, no goal.
MAN Shooters: Tyler Dillman, goal; Taylor Paulovich, no goal; Josh Rutherford, goal, Michael Gillen, no goal, Thomas Dechant, no goal.
Shots on goal:
Falher 23 13 8 6 -50
Manning 9 17 8 2 -36 Goaltenders: Pirates, Dyson Loewen; Comets, Braden Gamble.
Power Plays: FAL 1-6; MAN 2-8.
Penalties in Minutes: FAL 49; MAN 33.