Kyle Thomas scored a power play goal just 22 seconds into overtime to give the Fort Wayne Komets a 4-3 victory over the host Quad City Mallards Wednesday night and a commanding three games to none lead in the best-of-seven Central Division semifinals.

Thomas converted a Mike Cazzola centering pass to end the game with the only shot of sudden death and push the Mallards to the brink of elimination.

The Mallards forced overtime after Alex Petan knotted the contest at three at 12:40 of the third period. Petan pounced on the rebound when Josh MacDonald's drive from the left wing circle hit the post.

The Komets twice took the lead in the second period. Gabriel Desjardins broke a 1-1 deadlock by redirecting the puck home from the doorstep at 3:14 of the second. After the Mallards' Sam Warning buried a goalmouth feed from Brady Brassart- who had three assists- at 14:20, Shawn Szydlowski scored from close range to put the Komets back on top 3-2 at the 17:16 mark.

It was the Mallards who had grabbed the lead in the first period when Michael Parks scored the opening goal from the slot just one minute and 27 seconds into the game. Cazzola's tip-in tied the score at one 9:56 of the first period.

The Mallards must win game four on home ice Friday night at 7:05 p.m or their season will come to an end. If a fifth game is necessary, it will be played Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. at the iWireless Center. Should a sixth game be required, the series will shift back to Fort Wayne next Monday. If the series goes to a seventh game, the Komets would host the deciding contest next Wednesday.

Tickets to Mallards home playoff games are now on sale at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000. The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.