It took another dominant performance from Mallards goaltender Thomas Heemskerk and another great performance from playoff-blooming Jordan Mayer to get the Mallards to the extra period.

Trailing 2-1 after giving up two third-period goals, the Mallards pulled Heemskerk with 1:28 remaining in the third period for an extra attacker. Mayer scored his team-leading seventh goal of the playoffs, putting the puck through Pitton's five-hole with 50.6 seconds left to tie the game.

"It was very nerve-wracking being down 2-1," Mayer said. "It was pretty scrambled (in front of the net). I just decided to keep it low because there were bodies everywhere and it worked out."

The Mallards were fortunate to be able to tie the game after suffering through an American offensive onslaught in the second and third periods. The Americans outshot the Mallards 43-26 in regulation and 47-32 in the game, but Heemskerk made save after save — 45 in total — to keep the game close.

"That was a busy one tonight," Heemskerk said. "The majority in the second and quite a few in the third, but pretty busy tonight."

Heemskerk couldn't make every save, though as the Americans scored twice in the third period to take the one-goal lead.