Komets

Is there anybody besides me who is kind of secretly hoping the Komets don't climb out of seventh place in the standings so they can match up again with Rockford in the playoffs? After all, the boys have no fear of the IceHogs and last year's series was one of the best in Komets' history. I wouldn't even mind that they wouldn't have the home-ice advantage.

Think a few guys might be realizing they are fighting for their jobs right now, too?

What Saturday night's game really means is that the game Wednesday night will be a whole heckova lot of fun.

Goaltender Kevin St. Pierre broke out of a mini-slump on Friday with 29 saves during regulation and four more in a shootout, as the Komets won a critical road game at Missouri 2-1.

“Frenchy played really well and our penalty kill was a lot better tonight,'' Komets coach Greg Puhalski said. “Good for him, and he was good in the shootout.''

The Komets announced today that they have claimed defenseman Mike Dombkiewicz off waivers. Dombkiewicz, 27, is in his second season as a pro after starting the year with Emira skating 27 games before being traded to Kalamazoo where he appeared in 21 games before being placed on waivers. Last year Dombkiewicz skated UHL stints with Kansas City, Richmond and Missouri and was selected to the UHL's All-Rookie Team.

It's not like we've got a ton to pick from. I absolutely loved Miracle, especially after talking to Mark Wells and Steve Janaszak about it and how accurate it was. That was a fun story to write.

Also liked Mystery, Alaska, though it's totally science fiction.

C'mon, let's come up with a Top 10 list while the boys are on the road.

Over their last five games, the Komets have been out-scored 10-3 in the first period. For a team that struggles so much to come from behind, that's deadly.

Hopefully this answers some of your questions about Rob Guinn.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/newssentinel/sports/hockey/uhl/14150425.htm

Hopefully something a little lighter. What else -- besides following the Komets like the stock market -- do you do for fun? Komets can't take up all of your life, and, yes, I'm looking for ideas. LOL.

Anybody got any interesting hobbies?

Matt Hunter has been played on the 10-day injured reserve list with a separated shoulder. He suffered the injury Sunday when he was hit by Kalamazoo's Nick Bootland. Komets General Manager David Franke said the team won't know until later if Hunter might be able to rehab the shoulder enough to play later or if he'll require surgery which will end his season.

The Komets have sent a tape of the hit to United Hockey League Director of Hockey Operations Brad Jones for review.

The shortest press conference in Komets coach Greg Puhalski's 12-year coaching career lasted about two minutes Sunday night, or about 360 minutes shorter than Sunday's 4-1 loss to Kalamazoo seemed to last.

``We didn't play well at all,'' he said.

Any ideas why?

``No comment.''

How about the whole weekend?

This weekend was an example of how the Komets will probably either win a first-round playoff series 4-0 or lose 4-0. They Komets have a horrible problem of playing to the  level of their opponent. For the last two-thirds of the season that's been OK because they've usually found ways to win. They played pretty even with Kalamazoo in the first period on Sunday but trailed 3-0 mostly because of some shakey goaltending. Kevin St. Pierre struggled mightily, while Kalamzoo's Joel Martin made some marvelous saves.