Tyler Spezia is becoming the Fort Wayne Komets worst nightmare.
After getting a goal and an assist in Game 1 of the Central Division Finals, the Toledo Walleye forward played hero Wednesday night by scoring the game-winner in double overtime for a 3-2 victory over the Komets.
The win evened the best-of-seven series at 2-2.
The Walleye were dominant in the opening period. At 13:34, Colin Swoyer got his third goal of the playoffs from the blue line to put the Walleye ahead 1-0. Nolan Moyle and Mitch Lewandowski each picked up assists.
The score remained the same until the third period. Toledo killed off three penalties in a tight, defensive second period but couldn't add to their lead.
The Walleye finally tallied another goal to take a 2-0 lead at 8:47. Colby Ambrosio scored his second goal in two nights, as Moyle set it up in front of the net and Ambrosio finished it off.
The Komets finally swung the momentum in their favor late in the frame. James Stefan scored to make it a 2-1 game with a power-play goal in front of an empty net at 17:28.
With Fort Wayne goaltender Brett Brochu pulled for the extra skater, the Komets crashed Toledo's net. Walleye defenseman Matt Anderson gloved the puck, forcing a penalty shot at 18:55.
Komets captain Jack Dugan took the shot and didn’t miss, beating goalie Carter Gylander for the game-tying goal.
Although both teams had several chances, one overtime wasn’t enough to determine the outcome.
It only took 26 seconds of the double overtime for Spezia to work his magic.
Spezia went to the net alone and notched the game-winning goal for a hard-fought 3-2 win. Spezia had been out the past two months with an injury and came back in this series, much to the delight of the Walleye and chagrin of the Komets.
With the series now tied, Toledo is guaranteed to head back home. The teams will stay in Fort Wayne for Game 5 on Thursday, with puck drop scheduled for 7:35 Pm ET.