Late Surge Lifts Mallards Past Gold Kings in Wild 6–4 Finish

January 10, 2026 — New England Sports Village, Attleboro, Mass.

The Norfolk Mallards closed with a furious final five minutes Saturday night, scoring three unanswered goals late in the third period to stun the Boston Gold Kings, 6–4, in a fast-paced, physical contest at New England Sports Village.

In a game defined by momentum swings, heavy shot volume, and escalating intensity, Norfolk erased a one-goal deficit and pulled away in the final moments, turning what looked like a hard-earned Boston road win into a statement victory.

Boston struck first midway through the opening frame when Brandon Garneau finished a power-play chance at 13:32, wiring home a feed from Cam Cordio and Brian Cebula to make it 1–0.

Norfolk answered late—and shorthanded. At 18:01, Ben Giovanella jumped on a loose puck and buried it past Kyle Mahan, with Gavin Alves picking up the assist, evening the score at 1–1.

The period also featured a major turning point when Norfolk’s Aidan Parker was assessed a game misconduct and major penalty for clipping, setting a physical tone that lingered throughout the night.

Just 1:52 into the period, Shawn Savela slid one five hole on a breakaway for an even-strength goal off passes from Matt Baldino and Joey O’Leary, giving the Gold Kings the lead back. Less than four minutes later, Brian Cebula extended the advantage at 5:50, finishing another even-strength chance, again with O’Leary setting the table.

Norfolk stopped the bleeding at 6:45, when Danila Belov beat Mahan with help from Paul Tower, trimming the deficit to one and keeping the Mallards within striking distance.

At 5:22 of the 3rd, Zachary Lewis tied the game, finishing a sequence started by Kyle Stevens and Paul Tower. Boston answered at 9:28, as Matt Baldino restored the Gold Kings’ lead with an even-strength marker assisted by Shamus Doherty. But that would be Boston’s last moment of control.

With just over three minutes remaining, Giovanella struck again at 16:36, converting a feed from Anthony Larkin to tie the game at 4–4. Less than three minutes later, Paul Tower delivered the decisive blow at 18:42, snapping home the go-ahead goal off passes from Zachary Lewis and Gavin Alves.

An empty-net goal from Kyle Stevens at 19:56, assisted by Kyle Mastroianni and David Piela, sealed the comeback and ignited the Norfolk bench.

Postgame Breakdown

Shots on Goal

• Norfolk- 50
• Boston- 56

Power Plays

• Norfolk- 1-for-2
• Boston- 0-for-2

Penalty Minutes

• Norfolk- 23
• Boston- 10

Goaltenders

• Norfolk: Justin Koulalis– 52 saves on 56 shots (Win)
• Boston: Kyle Mahan– 44 saves on 49 shots (Loss)

Coming up

• 1/17 Norfolk at Salem at 9:10pm @ The Salem Icenter
• 1/24 Hudson Valley at Boston at 7:20pm @ John A. Ryan Arena

Three Stars of the Game

1. Paul Tower (Norfolk) — 1 goal, 2 assists
2. Ben Giovanella (Norfolk) — 2 goals
3. Brian Cebula (Boston) — 1 goal, 1 assist