Komets

USA-Russia was a wonderful hockey game, one of the best if not the best you'll see all year. THAT's what I was talking about!

A.J. Bozoian's MRI came back negative on his back. He won't play tomorrow at Flint, but they expect him to play on Friday.

I like Olympic hockey, but I love World Cup hockey. Let me explain. During the Olympics, there is almost no time for a team to practice, so guys are learning linemates on the fly, especially with a younger team this time like the Americans.

One of the reasons I love World Cup hockey is that the teams are together for a much longer time practicing before the tournament. The skill level and teamwork is amazing, especially by the time you get to the finals.  I'll never forget Brett Hull's deflection that helped the US win the Cup in 1996.

Anyone who wants to add something to the Colonel Jack post before I send it to him should do so before 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Kevin St. Pierre's suspension has been lifted and he's back onthe active roster after sitting out Saturday's game. According to UHL Director of Hockey Operations Brad Jones, the sentence  was consistent with something that happened earlier this season in Port Huron when a goalie got a one-game suspension.

The Sellars to Danbury thread has been eliminated. There's no reason to get personal in the attacks -- from either side. It's over. Neither side proved their point, so there.

Weird how that one blew up, but I was expecting a lot more comments on veterans and salary cap. I must either be 100 percent right on or 100 percent dead wrong. Which is it? Do you even care that the league has a salary cap? Why should or shouldn't they?

If you haven't heard yet, Sunday's game has been postponed because of a problem at Missouri's building. It's going to be played April 12.

That's OK, David. Sorry if I went too far. I just get so tired of all the negativity all the time from lots of different people.

I'll bet everyone at the game is screaming mad at referee Derek Berkibile. I'll bet they can't wait to rip him on the boards or whatever. Maybe he didn't have a great game, but here's something to consider.

That's 12 games in a row the Komets' opponents have have more power plays than Fort Wayne has, totaling 32 extra chances over those games. That includes an average of 10 power plays over the last four games, when the Komets have mostly been playing with five defensemen and in close games.

Komets assistant equipment manager Jack Prindle has decided to retire from the team. Pindle, 57, said he's tired and it's time to do something different. Among his highlights with the Komets were working the 2004 United Hockey League All-Star Game, winning the Colonial Cup in 2003 and serving as the team's backup goaltender in Knoxville in 2001. He's been with the team since 1993.

Everybody wants to know why the UHL regulates having so many rookies. It's because it's a way to cut costs, and that's it. Why do they need to cut costs if there's a salary cap? Very good question!

Sure, the league can package the rookies to say it wants to be a developmental league, but it makes lousy business sense for owners to go along with that. Why should they care about players getting the opportunity to move up, especially if those are likely their best players? What's in it for them, and there always has to be something in it for them.

How big was that tonight?

Three things I've noticed of late: 1. They are relatively healthy, meaning they've pretty much had the same lineup; 2. They are starting to come from behind and win some of those games; 3. They are getting offensive production from everyone.

That's besides what has been exceptional special teams play of late. And I think they are playing more physical. Maybe not to the satisfaction of some, but they are getting more involved in the games.

C'mon be honest, how many of you thought they'd win tonight?

Komets General Manager David Franke said this evening that the Komets have made an offer to defenseman Luke Sellars who has been in Fort Wayne practicing with the team for a couple of weeks.
"We'll know more later this week,'' Franke said. "He's got some interest from some other teams who found out he was here, but I feel real good about our offer. We'll just let him make his mind up.''