Komets

After killing off two Fort Wayne power-plays to start the third period, Muskegon took a 4-3 lead on a disputed goal. The Fury's Rafal Martynowski chipped the puck on the Fort Wayne net, and Komets center Matt Reynolds whipped it off the goal line before it went completely over. Hawthorne consulted with the goal judge and then ruled the puck was a goal.

The Komets were up 3-1 when Muskegon scored 5-on-3 to cut it to 3-2. Immediately after the goal, Komets goaltender Nick Boucher skated toward the corner and said something to Komets defenseman Kevin Bertram who then hit Boucher twice in the facemask with his gloved fist. The linesman had to step between them.

Bertram skated to the bench, and the incident was completely over. No one seemed to say anything to either Bertram or Boucher, and Bertram took his next shift on turn. He didn't appear to say anything to Boucher during his shift.

Terry Marchant scores the Komets' first-period goal off a pass from Matt Reynolds Saturday night.

I was really hoping to go to that event, until the playoff schedule game out. Somebody please give me a report on how things went. I hope it was a lot of fun.

This will be fascinating. Both coaches complained about the lack of calls in Friday's game, and that's never been a problem for tonight's ref, Jim Hawthorne who consistently calls the most penalties in the league. I can't wait to see how the players react to this.

First one is here, and the second one is here. I'm off to Muskegon.

First one is here, and the second one is here. I'm off to Muskegon.

How much fun was that?

How good was Isaac Reichmuth tonight, too? He and Kevin Reiter going mano-a-mano.

I was suprised the Komets weren't more exhausted after the game, but they seemed pretty good. They are sleeping here tonight and then driving up tomorrow to Muskegon. I've got a feeling the Komets better be prepared to kill some penalties tomorrow because they may get the majority of the penalties tomorrow.

The weird thing about this game is that both teams executed their gameplans pretty flawlessly, but neither could capitalize thanks to the goaltenders.

Al Sims' 55th birthday and he was booted by Referee Bob Langdon with 45.9 left in the second period, pretty obviously for abusive language. Sims had been on Langdon all night to call more penalties, and the ref has thus far chosen not to. With a smaller than normal Memorial Coliseum crowd, you didn't need to be able to read lips to tell what Sims has been saying all night.

The last Komets' coach to receive a game misconduct? Grant Sonier on Dec. 12, 1998. Assistant coach Gerard Gallant received one April 1, 1999.

Olivier said he still feels like he's part of the team, and said he'd have no problem returning next season -- provided he doesn't get a chance at a higher league. He seemed in really good spirits as you can tell.