COMETS WIN STREAK GROWS TO THREE GAMES

KANSAS CITY (Feb. 2, 2019) – The Kansas City Comets extended their win streak with a 5-4 late minute victory over the Florida Tropics at Silverstein Eye Center Arena. Leo Gibson scored the game-winner with 2.5 secs remaining in the game and defender John Sosa led all scorers with two goals.

One of Florida’s newly acquired players, Antonio Manfut, started the scoring early off a pass from Ricardo Diegues. Anthony Arico followed less than a minute later after a giveaway by the Comets. Keeper Mark Saxby made a sliding save at half against former Comet Andre Braitwaite, but could not stop Arico.

However, things started to go Kansas City’s way when they went on the Power Play on a blue card from Braithwaite. Bryan Perez reached his 250 career points with the assist to John Sosa on the power play goal. Sosa rocketed another one in only three minutes later to bring the Comets back to a tie game.

Sosa is now only 1 point away from reaching 225 points in his career.

The second quarter was a time of excitement. Right away, Florida’s Victor Parreiras pounded in a pass from another acquisition, Matt Clare. Less than a minute later, Kansas City found the equalizer. After a failed bicycle attempt for Florida, Kansas City responded quickly and Adam James found the net to even the score at three early in the second quarter.

The next goal also came for the Comets 30 seconds later. Lucas Rodriguez hit one home on an assist from Nacho and helped Kansas City gain the lead for the first time in the game. Rodriguez is only 1 goal away from reaching 100 career goals. Kansas City’s only blue card of the night was given to Kiel Williams for tripping, which led to a power play goal from Andre Braithwaite to even the score once again.

After a goal-filled second quarter, the third quarter was relatively quiet with no goals for either side. Mark Saxby came up big for the Comets with two saves to maintain the tie. Tropic’s goalkeeper, Jorge Navarrete, recorded five saves to add to Florida’s defensive efforts.

A tripping foul from John Sosa midway through the third quarter gave the Tropics an opportunity to score, but Florida couldn’t find the net. Despite multiple attempts from Leo Gibson and Anthony Grant, the Comets were unable to put one in before the buzzer sounded to end the third quarter either.

Florida’s Braithwaite went on a 3-vs-1 early in the fourth quarter, but could not get past the Comet’s lock-down defense. Midway through the fourth, Florida had another blue card, this time to Rafa Alves, to give the Comets a chance at gaining the lead. There were multiple shot attempts from Gibson, but the Comets were unable to convert.

With the game seemingly headed towards overtime, Florida’s Rafa Alves was issued a blue card for tripping Kansas City’s Gibson on a break towards goal. With 5 seconds remaining in the game, the Comets were awarded a shootout opportunity.

The Comets all-time scoring leader Gibson was cool and calm as he easily beat Silva on the opportunity and, with 2.5 seconds remaining, put Kansas City ahead for good.

After four-straight at home, the Comets will head to St Louis next week for a cross-state matchup against the Ambush. The February 9 match kicks off at 7:05 p.m. CT and will be streamed live on MASL.tv.

The Comets return to Silverstein Eye Centers Arena February 16 for the annual Pink Game. The team will be wearing special pink jerseys that will be auctioned off throughout the game to benefit The Ali Kemp Foundation. For tickets and information call 888.9.COMETS or visit KCComets.com

MASL Match Report
Match: Kansas City Comets vs Florida Tropics
Date: February 2, 2019
Venue: Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, Independence, MO
Kickoff: 1:07 p.m. CT / 2:07 p.m. ET

Scoring Summary