Heading into Rockford on Saturday night, a lot of things could have gone wrong for the Fort Wayne Komets. The Komets were coming off a poor performance the night before in a 2-1 home loss to Muskegon, they had been embarrassed 5-1 in their last trip to Rockford and it was their third game in three nights.
The Komets pulled together to win 4-3 in a shootout and extend their Western Division lead to six points over the IceHogs. They also improved their road record to 4-3.
``We played really well,'' Komets coach Pat Bingham said. ``That was perhaps our best team win where everybody in the dressing room contributed.''
The Komets had led throughout the game and had a 3-2 lead until halfway through the third period when Rockford scored on a two-man advantage.
``Their crowd was giving them a lot of energy, and we still had a penalty to kill and I comtemplated a time out and asked the guys if we needed one,'' Bingham said. ``They all felt confident enough that they were OK, and we went back out and killed it. That was a big momentum swing, and by the last shift of the game we had them bottled up in their own zone, and they were playing preventative because we were getting chances. It was nice to see that confidence and the will to win.''
The line of Bruce Richardson, Jonathan Goodwin and Daniel Goneau broke a slump with three goals, including two by Richardson. J.C. Ruid scored in the shootout, and goaltender Kevin St. Pierre stopped all five Rockford shooters.
``There were several players that showed us more than they have,'' Bingham said. ``It's a challenge involved here because it was a tough task to go in there. I thought we got good solid performances from everybodd and that's what you hope for. I like the way everybody responded and rose to the challenge. They didn't try to do too much, they just played very hard and were mindful of the details.''
The Komets come home to play Quad City on Friday and Rockford on Saturday and end a stretch of playing seven of nine games at home. Then they hit the road for three straight road games and seven of 10 away from Memorial Coliseum.
Comments
Couple of things here that I just couldn't resist.
One, the Bears comment you made Hit was just classic. Are you the pot or the kettle? That was really funny.
Two, this whole Frenchy playing too much. Take a good look at the other goalies in the league and you will find that what Fort Wayne is doing is no more off keel than what anyone else is doing. On top of that...he is winning games, making great saves, and really is on top of his game. What is wrong with that?
I believe he has stated already this year that this season he is excited about the team, the players, and the coach which in some way has sparked him to elevate his play. Again, what is wrong with that?
Could he break down? Sure. I could also get hit by a bus today but I don't worry about my day thinking of "what ifs". Minor or major injuries could happen at any time. I have every bit of confidence he will remain sharp throughout the season.
I wouldn't mind seeing what McWhinney can do but this is not YMCA basketball where everyone gets a chance to play. You go with what you feel is the best option to win and Frenchy has been that option. Its too early to worry about starts and rest. McWhinney or whomever will get their 20 starts or so as the season progresses.
Finally....I'd like to make a wager with you. I will bet a pop or hops on McWhinney starting one of these games this weekend. I kind of feel at a disadvantage since it seems you had lunch with Bingham and got all this inside knowledge of our goaltending situation. Who bought? But I will still take that bet.
Scoops is back already? Just for reference, which scoopguy might you be?
I knew it was too good to be true. LOL. He might be afraid that you would track him down and throw scoops back at him. That would be a tragedy. Save Scoops!!!!!!! LOL
St. Pierre's playoff history with the Komets SUCKS!!! There's no other way to put it and I don't buy that the teams around him weren't very good. The first year they were Tarry Cup Champs and barely got into the second round before blowing it to Muskegon, and I don;t even want to go into his prefomance last season. Is St. Pierre a good regular season goaltender? Yes, the stats prove it. Can he do it in the playoffs? I haven't see it and other than that one time back in the CHL he hasn't shown much. My critizism will really come around playoff time. Will he be ready???
How can you say a goalie's playoff record sucks when he carried the team to the finals in 2005? Are you kidding me? Doesn't anyone remember who they were down 3-1 to Rockford? Then he came back to stop 26 of 28 to win in overtime, 23 of 24 in Rockford and then 36 of 37 to win Game 7 in overtime. How in the world can that be over-rated.
And then remember, if he doesn't get run in Game 1 against Muskegon that year, with the Komets leading 2-0, they probably win the first two games of that series.
And then last year I don't care who is in goal, nobody stops those point-blank missiles he was getting shot at him. You could blame that one on the defense as much as anybody, and name me one other player who did anything in that playoff series, forward or defenseman. Pokey Reddick in 1993 would have lost that series.
Then let's look at the scores they lost to Muskegon by in 2004. It was 1-0, 2-1, 3-1 with an empty netter. The fourth game was 5-2.
There's no way that playoff history sucks.
Wow I did not mean to open up this can of worms. Bottom line #1, who gave the Komets the best chance to beat Rockford?
Bottom line #2 if you lose to Rockford with the backup in net and take only 2 of 6 points on the weekend, fans would be wondering why you put the backup in against one of the better teams and fall further behind Muskegon. I do think if they beat Muskegon playing Dan was an option. This discussion is a great Monday Morning armchair quarterback discussion but I will put my confidence in Coach Bingham that he knows what he is doing handling these two goalies.
One thing that needs to be pointed out...how many goalies did the Komets run through the first 20 games last year, both in game and on tryout?
Notice the stability this season?
How can I say it?
Very Simply.
13-18 record SUCKS.
And no I'm not kidding you.
Another thing to consider, the Komets felt Frenchy got worn out last year from his off-ice commitments as well and have asked him to cut back on them. That may or may not be a factor. I'm guessing with seven games in 10 days coming up, Dan will get plenty of time to show what he can do.
Something else to consider right now, even though it's very early, Muskegon is already 12 points up. Are you ready to concede the Tarry Cup already? If not, and I don't think they are, why wouldn't you play your best possible lineup every night.
Heaven forbid you let facts get in the way of a good opinion.
They can have the Tarry Cup. Who gives crap about that!?...
Doc put me on some medication so I can chat with all my good buddies here on the blog. And its #19, section 212, row 17, and the seat varies but its usually #10. Come on over and we'll have a hug. It would be nice to put some names with these wonderful voices. If you happen to catch a scoop and feel the urge to throw it back, please look around and give it to one of the little kids in your section. The satisfaction it gives them for getting something will last longer than your for throwing something.
Didn't years ago the Komets do a radio show from Legends Sports Bar with Bob Chase and usually a player or the coach? It would be nice to roll that back into the fold so all these worry warts could address their concerns they may have.
Was it Legends or Pizza Hut?
I'm with JM. Winning the Tarry Cup does mena you have home ice throughout the playoffs, but that hasn't meant squat.
Bottomline is how many championships.
Sorry, that should have read playoff championship.
Scoops, nobody was offering hugs, buddy. Or fisticuffs for that matter. I was just curious as to which scoopguy you were like you said, its nice to put a face with a name.. I'll drop by and say hi sometime.
Completely off subject, but is anyone going to Kalamazoo for the game on December 16th? I'm going but wanted to see if anyone else is so I know where to sit.
Ok...my seats are in Charlotte, but you guys entertain me so well, I might have to come to Indiana just to meet some Scoops, Jungle Monkey & Hit Somebody! Keep me smiling!
The majority of Komets fans sit behind the visiting team's bench which I think is in the middle of sections 22 and 23.
The phone number for the Wings Stadium Ticket Office is (269) 345-5101.
Wow, there goes another opinion of mine down the old poop hole. For now on, just like you guys that had to send your breaking news to Komet Warrior and his OHIC to be approved, I will now e-mail my opinions to Scoops for his approval, or who am I kidding.....disaproval... so that he can e-mail me back my new opinion that conforms with his way of thinking. Wait a minute, does he have an opinion, or does he just like to pick holes in everyone elses thought? I should e-mail KW to aak him what he thinks before we post any breaking news on this subject.
A tired, hurt, uninspired Frenchy....equals easy goals and early round play-off losses....however you guys like to slice it.
I am gonna go with Blake's comment on St Pierre. There is no way the Komets come back down 3-1 in that playoff series without Frenchy in the net. He played absolutely amazing. I specifically remember twice during the last 3 games of that series he shut down Rockford on 5 on 3 power plays. Also, the whole team was basically hurt! We lost Venedam and Nelson, 2 of our most important players on that team. Greg, you have to realize that only one team wins each year. The goaltender is a big part of the team but he can't steal every game. I actually thought he played fairly well last year against Rockford but the rest of the team took stupid penalities and didn't play well defensively in front of him at all. KSP is one of the best, if not the best goalie in the UHL. If your answer to who is a good goalie by just winning championships then there have been a lot of good goalies who must suck in your eyes because they haven't won championships. Doug Teskey was a pretty good goalie here and he didn't win a championship. Michel Robinson was a solid in Rockford but he never won. Scott Stirling in Danbury was an all-star but he didn't win. The list goes on and on. What more do you want KSP to do?
Rest his injury prone body every now and again so he will stay healthy and sharp...because he probably is the best goalie in this league and can't afford him to be out for weeks or in the middle of the playoffs. This is the basis of my point. Not that he is good or bad...only that he is healthy and not hurt. Is that ok with you Scoops?
Hit, I agree with your point that you should rest him every now and then. We do need him fully healthy come playoff time.
Tony E, I think the old Komet Korner show was at Legends....but I think that another establishment also hosted it....possibly the place that is now Ruby Tuesday's. I went to it live a few times, but it was a very short lived program.
Down the road there will be a more hectic schedule. Long road trips. More three in three nights. More Sunday and mid-week games. The playing time will be there at that point for whomever our backup will be. Currently we have had basically 2 games a weekend. There have been 4 to 5 days off between weekend matches. I think KSP could and has handled this very well.
My opinion....since you asked is that rest does not assure health for anyone. They are basically only gauranteed health on days they do not play. An injury can happen at any given moment for any given player. Rest does not assure sharpness. It did wonders for the Colts last season didn't it? Players are creatures of habit and routine. Doing everything as you normally would keeps the players sharp in itself.
I don't disagree with your thought but I disagree with your timing. We are 16 games into the season, not 60.
Being well rested when you need it is fine, but like anything else....too much of even a good thing isn't good for you.
BobbyDouglass...what an old name!! heck lets go back to Billy wade then.......
Missed the saturday game...had to work so i missed all the stuff you all are talking about. I hear if we play them as we did in third period we should be able to play them even up. Is that what you all think??
Tony-what do you think of the trade the Leafs did sending Tellqvist to the Coyotes for Tyson Nash? Do you think Seabass is going to be a capeable back up? And and the Leafs going for a tough aggitating team with Nash?
Can someone explain to me why it's ok for everyone else to disagree with one another, but it's a crime if Scoops disagrees with someone? When someone else does it, well that's ok because 'they use to play hockey so they understand better' or 'they aren't following what the Frankes are leading us to believe' or 'they're just shaking up the conversation a bit.' But when Scoops has an opinion those same people jump on him for disagreeing. It's not like he's just disagreeing for the sake to disagree; he has his own opinions and they are just as valid as anyone else's here.
I fail to see the 'personal attacks' from Scoops that people claim he takes. I don't know, maybe I'm not seeing something here??
Greg Telki was dead weight. The team lost confidence in him after his horrible play in back to back games against Montreal took them out of the playoff race last year.
Nash may end up with the Marlies. They already play an aggitating style with the likes of Tucker and a few others. Nash reminds me alot of Bogi. Both are undersized and maybe not the most skilled around but lots of heart and they play without fear when it comes to the physical aspects of the game.
Nash will be good insurance whether on the big club or in the minors.