It's 4-3 Komets late in the second peroid as they are peppering ECHL goaltending leader Jeff Jakaitis. Aaron Clarke has two goals, Brandon Marno and Shawn Szydlowski one each. It looks like the Komets are doing a good job of keeping the action in the South Carolina end, but maybe Gary Graham's message has gotten through because they seem to be shooting more and passing less. So far.
He had to head back to Lake Superior State to finish up school. New goaltender or Ben Meisner status TBA according to coach Gary Graham.
Komets lead 3-1 after first on goals by Scott Fleming off a 2-on-1 with Chris Auger.
Then Shawn Szydlowski set up Aaron Clarke on another 2-on-1.
Dustin Cloutier scored first for theWings, but I'm not sure if Scott Fleming didn't knock it in on a power play.
Then Mike Embach scored on a power play for the Komets. The game has settled down quickly with a couple of early penalties.
The Komets' Simon Danis-Pepin and Kalamazoo's Justin Taylor came together and then so did everyone else. Nathan Martine snowed Chris Lawrence. At the end of warm-ups, Lawrence shot a puck at Martine's feet.
Should be interesting opening faceoff
Very small crowd here in Kalamazoo which is a crying shame. Maybe 500 people.
Playing for the Komets are John Hilworth, Brian McKee, Doug Rigler, Ron Leef, Kelly Miller, Scott Collins, Jim Logan, Kevin Bertram, Konstantin Shafranov, Kelly Hurd, Kevin Irons, Adam Lewis, Ryan Potts, Larry Schmitt, Steve Fletcher, Olivier Legault, Tony Manny, Larkin Saalfrank and Doug Teskey.
Will Lacasse's shootout goal
Matt Grogan stops Matt Caria to end it
Jordan Binnington robs Shawn Szydlowski with the pad
Kalamazoo goaltender Jordan Binnington felt he had touched the puck before Will Lacasse shot in the game-winning goal in the shootout, which would have immediately killed the play.
Jordan Binnington robs Mike Embach with the pad
Entertaining came so far. Lots of hitting, very good team defense and very chippy.
Fort Wayne:
Add Jace Coyle, D activated from reserve
Add Kenton Miller, F activated from reserve
There is so much riding on these two games. 1. Komets need points almost any way they can get them because Florida has nine straight home games coming up; 2. Where does Ben Meisner fit in all this now? Does he regain the trust of the guys? If you don't think he needs to, then you don't understand team dynamics; 3. They could end up facing Kalamazoo in the first round of the playoffs, and the Wings have been the ECHL's hottest team; 4. The rivalry which certainly seems to be re-ignited this year with Colin Chaulk, and now Aaron Clarke.
Komets General Manager David Franke said Ben Meisner's appointments with a cardiiologist and a neurologist checked out fine. It depends on how Ben feels when he'll play next, and the Komets will talk with him in the moring about it.
So far, after one period, rookie Matt Grogan looks pretty solid in net.
Komets are up 1-0. Gwinnett doesn't have anybody over age 25 in the lineup, and the Komets are playing 10 rookies.
