Komets' General Manager David Franke said they'll know after tomorrow's pre-game skate whether center Brett Smith will play tomorrow night.
If he's that close, he's playing. Smitty would probably try to break the arms of anyone who tried to hold him back.
If Smith is activated, the Komets do not have to release a player to make room for him on the roster.
Defensemen: John Hilworth, Carey Lucyk, Brian McKee, Chad Dameworth, Bob Phillips Sr., Martin Burgers, Kevin Bertram, Igor Malykhin
Forwards: Derek Ray, David Hukalo, Paul Kobylarz, Jim Logan, Derek Gauthier, Bob McNeill, Doug Rigler, Adam Lewis, Steve Salvucci, Ian Boyce, Kelly Hurd, Ron Leef, Dale Baldwin, Dustin Virag, Dave Norris, Steve Fletcher, Parris Duffus, Eddie Long, George Drysdale
Goaltender: Doug Teskey.
Coach: Robbie Irons, Assistants: Ron Burman, Reggie Primeau and Chuck Adamson.
...then you'll also understand that Justin Hodgman has signed for next year to continue playing in Norway.
Nick Boucher nominated for Most Outstanding Goaltenders; Frankie DeAngelis for Most Outstanding Defenseman.
You and see the full lists of nominations here.
The Fort Wayne Komets should have set their clocks ahead a few days early, because an hour into Tuesday's game, not even Daylight Saving Time could have helped them make up for a slow start.
It's 1-0 Gems and they lead in shots 8-1 in Dayton's favor. Komets are showing no intensity at all. Not even a hint. I've also seen bigger crowds at a Komets' practice. Too bad.
Because Brian Gratz is the Gems' coach, there should be no surprise at all that a Dayton team that doesn't have anything to play for is playing this hard.
The potential early home playoff schedule will not be too kind to the Komets.
The Memorial Coliseum has Disney on Ice scheduled for March 29 through April 1. There's a chance the Komets could open at home on Wednesday, March 28 and play a 6 p.m. game on April 1. The following weekend April 6 and 7, the Mad Ants are home so the Ks could play Thursday-Sunday again. Not sure that weekend will be an issue though because they'd likely be on the road.
The Komets have signed Larkin Saalfrank to act as an emergency back-up again. Nick Boucher is under the weather, and Gerry Festa will start in goal tonight. David Franke said he expects Boucher back on the ice Thursday morning.
The Komets have not activated Dustin Molle as expected. They'll keep him in reserve in case someone suffers an injury this weekend and likely activate him next week to play Laredo.
Brett Smith is now also questionable to be activated for this weekend, Franke said.
You can see today's feature here.
You can also pull up larger versions of both graphics by clicking on them.
The Bishop Dwenger and Leo club hockey teams will compete this Saturday in Indianapolis for state championships in Class AA and Class AAA. Bishop Dwenger will play Carmel Blue at Noon at Pepsi Coliseum for the Class AA title, followed by Bishop Dwenger against Crown Point at approximately 2:30 p.m. for the Class AAA title. Both teams qualified last weekend in pool play.
The state finals start at 9:30 a.m. with Evansville playing Bloomington in Class A, Hamilton Southeastern A playing St. Joseph's (South Bend) at 11 a.m. and Columbus vs. Culver Varsity at 1:30 p.m.
Glenn and I talk about the comeback, a trap game, what the Komets need to do to beat Evansville and, most importantly, is this a championship-caliber team?
Wichita builds a lead on Fort Wayne and Evansville.
Plus, some interesting notes on which teams have done the best against the toughest competition.
That led directly to J.M. Rizk's breakaway goal. Thanks to Otto Andrews and the Game of the Week gang for the video. The full game will play on Access Fort Wayne on Wednesday, 8pm, Noon Thursday, and PBS-4 Friday at 4pm, and Saturday at 1pm
Here's the direct link:
First, Bobby Chaumont scored to break his long goal-less streak.
Then the Komets killed off a long two-man Wichita power play before J.M. Rizk scored their second goal on a breakaway.
