Nov. 13 is the last time this season when the Komets were in first place before tonight. That was nine games into the season and now there are nine games left. It's been a pretty remarkable 58 games inbetween.
"It's been a long chase for our team," Komets coach Al Sims said. "Since (November) we've been battling to get back to this spot, and everybody should be congratulated in that room because people were writing us off at the end of January and February, wondering if we were going to make the playoffs. It's a big deal for our hockey team."
Colin Chaulk played a lot more than I think anybody expected, but he didn't mind, saying, "I thought that was perfect. I felt OK, I wanted to be out there more. It's the only way you're going to get in shape. There were obviously some shifts where I felt slow, winded and whatever, but that's the only way is to work through that."
The Komets are 12-1-1 over their last 14 games and the schedule the rest of the way favors them as long as they don't slip up against Flint or Bloomington. They have six of their final nine games at home, and five of the nine are against Flint or Bloomington.
On Jan. 16, I wrote: "How remarkable would it be if somehow the Komets could recover from all these injuries and all the adversity and still have a strong second half? With their veteran leadership and playoff experience as defending champions, no one would want to face them in the playoffs. That could become one of the most amazing Komets seasons of all time, possibly even more historic than the way they won the Turner Cup last year."
Pretty amazing.
Comments
Wow! It was great to see Chaulker back on the ice. He just brings so much to the game and I couldn't believe the hit he put on Littlejohn. Way to go, Chaulker!
Yes, Blake, it could turn out to be an even more remarkable season considering everything this team has gone through. Yes, I got frustrated with all the losses at home the past few months but I never gave up on them. I'm very proud of their accomplishments and with Chaulker back in the line up and Bouch's outstanding play, things can only get better. I'm looking forward to another great playoff series. Go K's!!!
We are now in control of our destiny, its ours to win or lose,
Blake you should be a palm reader. You and I as well as faithful Komet fans never gave up on this team. We were all rewarded last night. It is great to have Chaulker back. When he doesn't want the other guy to get the puck they don't. Zehr made a very interesting comment in the visitors penalty box. He was asking for the 2nd. assist on the Flint goal and I ask him if that was they guy who was offsides? He said "He was only offsides by about 3 feet. You don't think the linesman missed it do you? Not is this league he added" It was good for a laugh from scoring officals.
As much as I love to hate Zehr on the other team, he seems like a really cool guy. Last night at the end of the game, he was standing on the bench rolling his eyes at us after some "fans" (I use that term loosely) were berating McNeil and some of the other guys on Flint's team. I was embarrassed by their comments. I really feel bad for the guys on that team since they have to put up with all the bad stuff happening there. You've got to give them credit for even trying. It has to be very difficult for guys like Zehn, Littlejohn, Robinson and now, Gravelle to go from a top-notch team to sitting in the basement.
Since the Komets are healthy, they should be able to secure home ice for the playoffs. After all, the schedule favors the Komets. They play 6th place Flint twice; 5th place Bloomington 3 times; 4th place Kalamazoo once; 3rd place Muskegon twice and 2nd place Port Huron once.
Komets' record against Flint: 12-1-0-1
Flint's record against the Komets: 2-12-0-0
Komets' record against Port Huron: 8-5-0-1
Port Huron's record against the Komets: 6-6-2-0
Komets record against Muskegon: 4-5-2-2
Muskegon's record against the Komets: 9-4-0-0
Komets' record against Bloomington: 7-2-0-2
Bloomington's record against the Komets : 4-6-0-1
Komets' record against Kalamazoo: 7-4-1-3
Kalamazoo's record against the Komets: 8-6-1-0
Agreed. The Komets have winning records against all remaining opponents. The biggest challenge will be getting another win against Port Huron.
I expect a large crowd on Friday and especially against Port Huron on Saturday.
I am pumped for Saturday's game. I hope there are 8,000+ screaming fans ready to rock out to R&R P2! I think Larry "The Doorman" Sterling will have no choice but to be in net for this game.
True, you did write that. And I agreed that it was certainly possible. But it should also be noted that this is not the same team as it was then. We had been in need of a veteran D-man for months. Bringing one in at the trade deadline is bound to have made a major impact. That being said, this is a team effort. We win as a team and lose as a team. It is wonderful to see our guys finally pulling together and playing with some confidence out there.
Holladay is no longer showing on the Komets roster. Seems to have been released. Probably see him Friday with his # and no name on the back of his jersey. Good luck to Jay
Anyone tailgating this weekend?