The Komets entered Game 3 of the Western Conference Final knowing a win was essential to stay alive in the series, but a 6-4 loss handed Kansas City a 2-1 lead.
Early in the first period, forward Josh Bloom opened the scoring for Fort Wayne, wiring a wrist shot past the Monarchs’ netminder after receiving passes from William Dufour and Austin Magera.
Midway through the second frame, Blake Murray’s five-minute major for slashing gave Kansas City a power-play advantage, and the Monarchs capitalized twice, turning a 1-1 tie into a 3-1 lead.
Second-period explosion fuels Monarchs' surge
Kansas City added three more goals before the period ended, extending their advantage to 5-2. Fort Wayne managed to pull one back when Austin Magera slipped a goal past the Monarchs’ defense, narrowing the gap to 5-3.
The third period saw a brief Komets rally. Jalen Smereck struck to make it 5-4, and later William Dufour converted a power-play chance to bring the final tally to 6-4.
Nathan Day turned in 23 saves for Fort Wayne, but the effort wasn’t enough as Kansas City sealed the victory.