Komets

But I don't assign any blame from this game to Neil Christopher. The Komets did this to themselves. Did he miss the first calls and then call the retaliation calls? Yes, welcome to hockey. The Komets have had this problem the ENTIRE season, and they talk and talk and talk about needing to stay away from penalties and they can't do it, no matter who they are.

Komets don't look very good so far. Sloppy with the puck, turning it over several times in their own end to lead to Rockford chances. The IceHogs goal was a total fluke, but it really wasn't surprising because of the way the Komets were scrambling around. Rockford's power play has looked better and is starting to get stronger chances.

How do you feel about this one?

I don't really have a good feeling because I think Rockford's power play is about to bust out.

Komets are starting Jorde, Galbraith and Campbell along with Goodwin and Luciuk. Could be interesting. Rockford is going with Mizzi, Carrigan, Yetman, Watson and Letizia.

This could be very interesting right away.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/14437019.htm

The Komets believe Rockford goaltender Scott Dickie should be ineligible because the UHL rules say a third goaltender should be an amateur without any pro experience. The IceHogs say the rule says it just has to be an amateur, and there are no other stipulations.

Dickie played 44 games two years ago with Adirondack, but regained his amateur status by sitting out a year so he could then play college hockey in Canada this season.

The UHL has officially decided not to suspend Komets center Andrew Luciuk for his altercation with Rockford goaltender Michel Robinson in Game 2 on Sunday.

League officials are also saying they don't expect Robin Big Snake to face a suspension for his actions in Game 3.

I always wanted to ask this of someone because I have a ton of respect for these folks. Why do you officiate games? Why put up with all the crap from fans, parents and such? It can't be because the money is that good, and I'm not sure I'll buy giving back to the game from 95 percent of the officials who say that. So why do it? There have to be less stressful and more enjoyable alternatives, right? It has to weigh on you at least a little that no matter what you do, there are always going to be people out there who hate you when they don't even know you.

The Komets won, and they looked a little better, but I'm not sure they'll be able to win the series unless they continue to improve. What do you think?

That looked more like the Komets. A couple of things are different from the first two games. They are going to the net a lot harder, and seem to have found a hole top shelf gloveside on Scott Dickie. They are also skating much, much harder, trying to force the action by keeping the IceHogs penned in their own zone. The Komets are trying to cycle more on the Rockford zone, something they did very rarely in the second game.

Kevin St. Pierre and Guy Dupuis were named second-team all-United Hockey League today.

Also, now it turns out Scott Dickie will be starting in goal for the IceHogs. According to the IceHogs, the rule says a third goaltender must be an amateur, and it doesn't say anywhere in the rule that they are an emergency back-up. They have to be activated in order to play. It's a mess.

Former Komet Tracy Egeland was also fired today as coach of the Central Hockey League's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees. He had a three-year record of 84-87-17.