Mallards come from behind to defeat Hudson

For the first time this season the Rum River Mallards defeated the Hudson Havoc on Friday in an overtime thriller 5-4. Vladimir Fadeev netted the OT winner just :49 into the extra frame to complete the four-goal comeback victory.

The game took place in front of an energy-packed Isanti Civic Arena with both teams flying from the start. Rum River struck first at 8:59 when local product Derek Becklin (Cambridge-Isanti ’18) scored his 10th of the season.

That advantage would prove to be short lived though as Tyler Kulas evened things at 13:36 of the first. The score remained deadlocked at intermission despite Hudson outshooting the Mallards 18-9 in the opening frame.

The division leading Havoc took control in the second scoring three times to build a 4-1 lead. Momentum had shifted in a big way, but Rum River refused to quit. Fadeev got the home team back in the game scoring in the final minute of the second. Assisting on the goal was Scott Moyer and Pete Meyer – his first of three helpers in the game.

Former Delano High grad Sam Voss was next to find the back of the net for the Mallards making the score 4-3 at 3:39 of the third. It was his career best 10th of the season for the three-year junior veteran.

Rum River continued to put pressure on the Havoc and were rewarded at 9:11 when Akhmed Malsagov tied it with his team best 24th goal. The 19-year old Russian is having a breakout year with 57 points in 37 games played so far.

The teams would skate the final 10 minutes without a goal, despite the Mallards holding a 15-8 shot advantage. Goaltender Austin Bartell made 37 saves on the night as the teams both put 41 shots on net.

🚨🚨 OT winner! Vladimir Fadeev scores in overtime to complete the comeback victory over @Hudson_Havoc 5-4! https://t.co/KU1n5820I4 #USPHL pic.twitter.com/jBMr8aNay3

— Rum River Mallards (@RRMallards) February 8, 2020

Rum River Mallards (21-16-1) are back in action on Saturday night hosting the Rochester Vipers (6-31-0). Game time is scheduled for 7:05 PM.