The Komets have released goaltender Kevin Beech and have signed rookie Alex Kangas.
Beech was 0-2 this season in two games with a 4.31 goals against aveage and .788 save percentage.
Kanga, 24, was the starting netminder for the University of Minnesota three of the past four seasons. He started nine games last year because of a hip injury, but was in training camp this year with Wilkes-Barre of the American Hockey League. He's also been with Wheeling of the ECHL most recently.
Komets General Manager David Franke said he's not sure what other roster moves the team will make before Thursday's game with Bloomington. Center Leo Thomas is ready to return to the lineup after missing three games with strep throat, and the status of defenseman Brent Henley's injured knee is undetermined yet.
Comments
I say let the new guy go for it on thursday throw him in the fire and see what hes got! LETS GO KOMETS!!!!!!!!
As a Minnesota Golden Gophers diehard fan this beyond excites me. Kid is coming off major hip surgery so I'm skeptical that he'll play at the level he was playing at the U right away.
"Throw him in the fire"... reiterfan, I'm having flashbacks to the 2000-01 season. Komets up 6-2 headed into the 3rd, Stephen Wagner in goal for the K's. Don't remember who they played, Flint maybe? Anyway...the opposition lit him up. That fifth goal was the backbreaker, slow roller, Wagner came out of the goal a bit - I think it was more just a dump into the offensive zone. That puck slid right through the five hole, found the net. I think Wagner found the waiver wire soon after.
Poor Wags, that's all Doug Teskey could say about that.
If Kangas gets put in on Thursday, I'm hoping for a much better outcome!
What a strange coincidence.
If you read Blake's thread "Before the rumor gets started", you will see a post from me submitted around noon yesterday. It was concerning the Komets roster and, during the last two paragraphs, I spent some time addressing the Komet's goal tending situation. Imagine my surprise when I learned of this new development announced later in the day. I'm not that smart, but it did seem inevitable just using some common sense.
Throughout the off season and into the regular season I have been real consistent calling for more scoring. I still think we should be looking for another scorer. Sure, when Bennefield come off IR we will have another sniper, and when Thomas comes off IR we have a sniper potentially. ( It all depends on Thomas. He can be very good if he hustles and gives the effort. It is his desire that I question). Today, however, I'm questioning my own reasoning a little.
Let me explain.
While checking the standings today, I noticed something that may sway my thinking. As published in the November 22, 2011 Journal-Gazzette, are the standings of the CHL. I just want to examine the Evansville Icemen and the Fort Wayne Komets.
Evansville 10games 8 wins 1 loss 1 OL. 36gf 21 ga.
Komets 11games 6 wins 5 losses 0 OL 38gf 31ga.
Looking closely we find that the Komets have played one more game than Evansville and have scored two more goals. Is it just me, or have many of us felt that Evansville was a far superior scoring team? The statistics show differently, don't they. What is the real difference?
The real difference appears to be on the defensive end of the ice. In 10 games the Icemen have only allowed 21 goals. In 11 games the Komets have allowed 31 goals.
Here are the stats for the Evansville Icemen goal tenders:
Pier-Olivier Pelletier ----- 7 games, 2.25 GAA.
Bryan Gillis-------------- 3 games, 1.27 GAA.
Defense is a combination of forwards coming back, defensemen playing positional hockey, blocking shots, clearing the crease, and the goaltenders making the plays. So far, this seems to be the secret, the difference, between these two teams.
I have been on top of the "mountain" screaming, begging, and hoping for more snipers.
Perhaps I should've been paying more attention to the other end of the ice.
Last night my daughter asked why the Komets seem to be attracted to goalies with hip problems (first Beech, now Kangas)? I couldn't answer that question. Perhaps Blake may have a little more insight and may write an article about Kangas so we get to know him, and the extent of his injury, better.
One last thing, and it has nothing to do about hockey. Today is the 48th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It's hard to believe it has been 48 years. His death affected lives in so many ways it would be impossible to list. Today, take time to say a prayer for his soul and also for the United States of America.
The English language can be pretty descriptive sometimes if you are in tune with it. For example, the word assassin begins with a double ass.
Nice post Alan...
Alan, I was starting to walk home for lunch on that rainy Friday,when our principle came running out to stop us. Mr. Clifton told us the bad news. I was in grade three and will never forget it. No matter which side of the table you sit on, Mr. Kennedy was a beacon that shone brightly albeit too briefly.
Now, back to hockey. I too Alan had a look at the for and against stats. I think it is a little early to pick up a trend.
In looking at the Goals for, we must remember the Ks have scored 8 and 7 in two games. The most they have allowed is 5 which has happened twice.
Ironic the 8 and 7 were scored on the road.
My point is, I don't think I would abandon the need for scoring just yet.
The home games, at least early, are where they have struggled to score.
Hips have become like shoulders/elbows for pitchers...:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/david_epstein/03/18/butterfly.hip.injuries/index.html
http://ingoalmag.com/training/hip-injuries-are-to-goalies-what-shoulder-injuries-are-to-pitchers/
No question Andy. Goalies are like gymnasts with 40 lbs of equipment to perform in.
I've always said we need to score more goals than the opposition to be successful
Mike i to was walking home for lunch. i got to see it on tv, small world
Only surprise about this is that the new back-up isn't Tyler Sims.