Comets fall to Wave in defensive battle

The Kansas City Comets lost 5-2 to the Milwaukee Wave, losing the opening game of the best of three series in the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs.

The Comets entered the game free of injury while the Wave were without Tenzin Rampa and Hans Denisen.

In the opening quarter, John Sosa’s handball gave the Wave a penalty, which Ian Bennett converted for the opening period’s only goal. Both teams exchanged a goal in the second quarter with Milwaukee’s Andre Hayne and Kansas City’s Kiel Williams making the score 2-1 Milwaukee at halftime.

Milwaukee added a third goal through Chad Vandegriffe in the third period, and Milwaukee added two more in the fourth quarter to close the game out after Leo Gibson scored a consolation, giving the Wave the 5-2 win.

The Comets weren’t able to finish their chances after outshooting the Wave 33 to 20 throughout the game, which forced Josh Lemos into several big saves to give him a .889 save percentage from 16 saves on the night. Kim Roentved’s side did stop Ian Bennett from doing any damage from the run of play, but KC failed to convert on the offensive end.

The Comets will fight for their playoff lives on Saturday in Milwaukee, where they must win their first game starting at 2:05 PM CT with a third mini game following immediately after to decide who moves on to the next round of the Ron Newman Cup Playoffs. Both games will be televised on Eleven Sports and Eleven Sports Next.