Van Drunen’s double-value goal tips Houston’s 5–4 win

Houston Comets (3–3–1) beat Phoenix Scorch (2–5–0) 5–4 in XHL scoring points, although the physical goal count is 4–4. Justin Van Drunen supplies the only two-point goal and adds two assists for four player points. This is a regulation decision; no pregame tiebreak point is added.

Anže Kopitar puts Phoenix ahead at first-period minute 2. Van Drunen answers unassisted at minute 8 with a double-value goal, putting Houston 2–1 ahead on the scoreboard. Brandon Sea equalises at the period’s twentieth minute: two Phoenix goals and one Houston goal leave the scoring points level at 2–2.

Drew Bueche and Corey Lambert score at second-period minutes 2 and 6, with Van Drunen assisting both. Dmitri Tsygurov replies unassisted at minute 7. Corey Juhasz adds Houston’s fifth scoring point with a short-handed goal at minute 14, assisted by Sean Kelleher.

Elli Lumme scores for Phoenix at third-period minute 18, assisted by Stefan Clarke and Walker Prowell. The Comets retain their one-point margin. Van Drunen’s total is one physical goal, one extra point for its double value, and two assists.

Team records are wins–regulation losses–pregame-tiebreak losses, including this game. Pregame targets are excluded from player goals and assists.