Komets

The Komets were a loose bunch at practice today, laughing and making jokes. They are all excited about Friday's game at Kalamazoo, looking forward to how they match up against the defending champs. No one was talking trash or anything, but they seemed confident and curious to see how the Wings look. They only have two games this weekend, expect them both to be tough, and then next week they have a very tough schedule going to Rockford on Wednesday before hosting a good Elmira team on Friday and Greg Puhalski's return on Saturday with the Chicago Hounds.

Is about what it takes for players to come back from long-term injuries. I spent a lot of time talking with Pascal Morency and David Hukalo. It's always interesting to me how the effects of such an injury are as much mental as they are physical.

Komets General Manager David Franke said forward Daniel Goneau had a doctor's appointment today to check out his broken cheekbone and will be able to play this weekend. Goneau suffered the injury when he was hit by a shot during the first period Friday in Quad City. He missed Saturday and Sunday's games, but will be able to return to the lineup Friday in Kalamazoo wearing either a cage mask or a full shield. He will not require surgery.

The United Hockey League (UHL) announced Monday that Elmira Jackals forward Brent Cullaton has been named Sher-Wood UHL Player of the Week and Fort Wayne Komets goaltender Kevin St. Pierre has been named Southern Sports Supply UHL Goaltender of the Week for the period ending Sunday, November 5, 2006.

On McWhinney: “He made some timely saves and the guys didn't quit in front of
him,'' Komets coach Pat Bingham said. “He rose to the occasion and worked hard.''

We need some nicknames for the players.
I heard Bob call the line of J.F. Labarre, Pascal Morency and Martin Gascon the Scooters today. I like it!

I also like calling Bruce Richardson, Jonathan Goodwin, Daniel Goneau, Guy Dupuis and Mario Larocque the Triple Threat Group because they can score short-handed, even-strength and on the power play.

There's also got to be a name for J.C. Ruid, K.J. Voorees and Bogdan Rudenko.

Got any ideas?

The Fort Wayne crowd actually booed when a penalty was called on a visiting player. That's how bad the officiating was in the second period Saturday night. And no, I really don't blame Ken Gallagher (so I didn't break my own rule).

Part of being an official is having a feel for the game, and the current UHL style of calling everything in some ways takes that feel of the game away from the officials. It's sort of like the three strikes rule with federal sentencing. It takes away from allowing the judge to use any common sense. It's the same thing with the UHL rules.

Thanks to Shutterbug for finding this link

For a man facing a six-hour bus ride home and then two games
within 24 hours, Komets coach Pat Bingham was extremely happy Friday night
after the Komets 3-2 shootout win at Quad City. The win give the 5-1 Komets
their best start since they began the 2001-02 season 7-0-1.

``I saw good things from a lot of guys,'' Bingham said. ``That
was a total team win with the guys playing the quintessential road game.
Everybody who dressed contributed tonight. There was a lot of sacrificing to
make plays.''