COMETS TAKE COYOTES TO OVERTIME BUT UNABLE TO GET WIN

Bryan Perez scores four goals in comeback effort

EL PASO, TX (February 25, 2018) – The Kansas City  Comets lost 14-13 in overtime tonight after nearly completing a comeback  from a 9-2 deficit at halftime. Bryan Perez led all scorers in the  match with four goals and an assist. Leo Gibson contributed three more  goals and two assists, but they were not enough as the El Paso Coyotes  scored two and a half minutes into overtime to snatch the win away from  the Comets.

Tonight’s match was delayed over an hour after the arena experienced  delays in preparing the field. After the game did begin both teams  seemed cautious in their approach. El Paso took a 1-0 lead four minutes  in, but the Comets answered right back with goals from Nacho Flores and  Gibson. The game was tied 2-2 at the first break after Diego Salas  scored for El Paso.

The second quarter was not one for the history books. The Comets were  shut out in the period but allowed seven straight Coyotes goals and  fell behind 9-2 at halftime.

Whatever speech head coach Kim Roentved gave at halftime seemed to  energize his team. The Comets came out from halftime with five straight  goals from Anthony Grant, Perez, Gibson, Carlos Trombini and Lucas  Rodriguez. El Paso scratched one back, but Perez added his second of the  quarter just before the period ended to bring the Comets to within 10-8  heading into the final stanza.

The fourth quarter opened with the two teams trading goals as  Rodriguez and Gibson got the team to within 12-10 midway through. Perez  scored two goals within a minute of each other to tie the game at 12  with a little over five minutes to play.

El Paso briefly retook the lead, but with one minute remaining Gibson  found Guerrero Pino sitting alone at the back post and Pino took the  pass and tapped it in to tie the game.

Roentved saw an opportunity to push the attack on El Paso and  inserted the sixth attacker shortly after overtime began. Controversy  ensued as a foul was called two minutes into the extra period. Rather  than place the ball at the spot of the foul, El Paso opted for a quick  restart near the middle of the field, away from any Comets presence. The  restart found an open forward who was able to end the game by tucking a  shot into the near post.

The Comets will continue their road trip, traveling to play the  Tacoma Stars on Friday, March 2 at 9:35 p.m. CT. The game will be  broadcast live on MASLtv.

The Comets return home to finish their season against the Florida  Tropics at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena on March 4 at 5:05 p.m. CT with  the Annual Mascot Game will be played at halftime. Tickets for this  annual fan-favorite are available here.