Two great games in a row. How about that comeback? They were busting their rear ends right to the end of the game.
How about that shaky goaltending early? That's what I mean about leaving rebounds like hand grenades. Give the kid credit, he hung in there and pulled it together.
Anybody surprised by some of the awards? I was a little surprised Lance didn't get anything, but I'm sure most of you will be surprised Guy was defenseman of the year.
How about Rockford once again!!!!! I am so happy I don't have to go to Danbury.
Here's the question: Which lineup do you go with in Game 1, or more specifically, whom do you take out to allow Luciuk and Goodwin to play? Don't forget, must have four rookies in the lineup.
Comments
well the Rookies would be
Kurk as your backup...
Milam, Carpentier, and Lindsay...
I wasn't really surprised at the awards..
I was more impressed with the game,
the Komets got off to a slow start, but man they turned it up and worked thier tails off...
Way to go Komets
I think last night and tonight proved that the K's have to play the body as much as possible to have a chance to win games. First period they did not take the body at all and tried to skate with Kzoo and that was a mistake. We are not a finesse team nor can we be. We have got to play with an attitude. Galbraith's fight with Ruff change are attitude and we started hitting and banging. I think the Franke's need to invest in or see if anyone is willing to loan a private plane to go pick up Milam so he can play during the week if necessary and take him back to school after the game. The line I liked tonight was the Miller, Rumble, Galbraith, that can be a good playoff line.
Why would we be surprised Dupuis won the D award? No one else back their had his combination of offense and defense.
David, do you have any concept of what that would cost?
I wasn't surprised that Guy won at all, but all the predictions last week on the blog were that Jorde would win.
Yes I know Blake...
And props go out tonight to Larry, the PA Guy" for bringing back the "Song"....Kudos for that Larry...for a moment I thought the Jungle actually came back tonight....
I am most surprised that Super Fan didn't get fan of the year.LOL
Awesome game tonight for sure. Lots of excitement. That is the Hockey me and David, Chuckitt, Skate, CHarlie, etc. have been begging for all year. We even got the song back tonight. Notice how the crowd go into the game with it, and the hard play. Take notes.
Kelly Miller was impressive once agian tonight. He keeps on plugging away out there. He is a huge part of this teams success. They should bring him back next year. Sign him now.
First of all, what a great weekend of hockey by the Komets. Granted, neither team we faced had their full lineup but were sitting out quite a few people too. Overcame alot of adversity in this game as well with the brutal officiating. Gald the boys kept their composure and seen it through. The "10 goal bandits" have been awesome the last few games and have really stepped their game in the absense of our horses. Hopefully the production continues because we are going to need it.
I was really nervous early on as the K's did too much running around try to skate with the Wings and Kurk looking shakey. Galbraith's fight was a perfect example of why a fight should happen. It defintely changed the momentum when something needed to happen. The hitting picked up after that. And the capper..."the song". Did anyone else get goose pimples when it was played? I wanted them to score so bad just to hear it again....and they did. The crowd was so unbelieveable after it was played. Like Hit said....take notice of it. Thanks Larry!! Tonight was definately a stroll down memory lane. Lots of action, hitting, a tilt, the song, and a few extra notes of Welcome to the Jungle.
I also agree, what a great weenkend of hockey. The crowd was a bit soft though both nights, that is, until goal number 3 tonight, "the song" came on and the crowd went nuts. After it played that was the best I have seen the crowd in quite some time. PC or not, give us the song back, we see how the true fans really like it.
Well back to the ice, it was definitely nice to see the boys hang in there tonight after going down 2-0, and battle back and win. A good physical game from the end of the 1st period on. See you can have a physical game with out all fights. The Muskegon win was a good one as well, controlled the game from the get go. At least what I saw of it, worked a good portion of the game.
Hopefully this can carry on into the playoffs! GO KOMETS!
Hi Blake!
It's a little late for me, but I had a few thoughts to share-
It was good to hear "Rock and Roll Part 2" song (that is the title) not for the "you suck" part, but because the crowd gets into it.
I missed Lance's fight because I was in line for Colin's autograph - the only longer line I can ever remember was for pictures with the Stanley Cup during the all-star game.
If you looked at their rosters, both Muskegon or Kalamazoo essentially HAD their full lineups - I was really surprised the Wings dressed some of the guys they did because they had nothing to play for Saturday.
Was anyone really surprised that Galbraith didn't win an award? The guys I sit with really thought he would be a candidate for Most Improved Player.
Finally, Blake, can you shed some light on the Unsung Hero award - is this for things a player does behind the scenes (something like community service)? I like Luciuk, but this pick kind of surprised me.
Great weekend Komets...now let's cook some bacon in the first round!
I for one called Guy for D-man of the year as soon as the award was announced as next. Just ask Scoops and Sniper!! Tonight was the MOST fun I have had all year watching the game. Big Kudos to Larry or whoever decided that "the song" should come back tonight. Great game, great time. Let's keep it rolling into the playoffs. Three incidents of goose bumps for me tonight! The piggies need to go thrown on the spit. I honestly hope we can get to Danbury and show that cheating isn't what its all about.
Hey everyone, do you like your bacon served? in strips or bits? LOL! Lets show Martinson what our "average forwards" are able to do! Also, should we buy him a book on etiquette?
Yea it was good to hear the "correct" song being played after the goals tonight. It actually felt like you were at a hockey arena instead of a library. And for the soccer moms and the 1 or 2 church groups that were offended and went home ticked, well.... I'll let the rest of you fill in the blank.
Golly, I'm glad to see that only those 5 guys have wanted to see this type of hockey all year long..... Geezzz the first period last nite was my type of hockey.... Its amazing how one song can get a crowd going like that, in fact I didnt even realize it was playin for the first few seconds cause I was bracing myself for that horrible ole song. From the sound in the building I would have to agree that the K's wouldnt lose that many fans so keep it playin. Great weekend of hockey, my wife has a freind in town who has been suffering watching the sphl this year and this was a great change for her. Go K's
Assorted thoughts...
crowd/crowd microphone was much louder on the internet last night
Larry sounds like he has the same upper respitory thing I've got now. I haven't had a voice in almost a week (everyone around here is grateful lol) If so feel better Larry. We need you for the playoff run.
The awards I think were great. If they had one for most physical player I think Lance would have won it.(maybe we should have one?)
I am glad they are not going to Danbury. The costs would have killed them. Keep in mind folks with gas prices being what they are the teams are going to need to recoup that revenue so don't be surprised next year if you don't see a considerable rise in ticket/food prices.
I asked this earlier in the season but didn't get a response so I will try again. Are there any events upcoming at the arena which might mess up the schedule again like it did last year?
The Komets should not be suffering from lack of confidence right now and it is deserved. Even if someone could argue that the 2 teams didn't care about the Tarry Cup so they didn't play full strength, the Komets also played far below full strength and not once did the look (or in my case) sound overmatched, intimidated or at all like they didn't belong on the ice with the two best teams in the league.
Happy and safe Easter to everyone in the Fort!
Oh. on the song, I have mixed thoughts. I don't care much if people got offended by the "you suck" thing. It is a hockey game. However if the Komets have to pay any royalties to a petafile in order to play that song, that doesn't thrill me. The guy was very close to facing a FIRING SQUAD a few months back overseas.
http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=1079&id=324752006
Too bad it took 36 crappy home games full of boredom to get to this point. Last night just proved to me that we DIDN'T have to watch the mundane product that was on the ice this season. The jungle still exists within the fans... Are the Frankes willing to give it a platform? You can't tell me for a minute that the players didn't feed off of the noise last night.
WOW...
Great weekend for the Komets. The song was fun... but I'm still tired of hearing people bash the Komets' ownership and management for things they do.
I just read the Journal Gazette article from Sunday, April 16th about Rich Coffey and the Fort Wayne Freedom.
http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/14355366.htm
I'd say that everyone better be pretty thankful that the Komets run the first-class professional organization that they do. After reading the article on the Freedom, all the arguments about how many fans a team draws and what they do or do not spend their money on pretty much goes out the window.
Why would anyone want to do business with or support an ownership that runs a franchise the way the Freedom is run. I'd say it is time to start recognizing the Komets for being a really solid part of Fort Wayne and a team that we all can be proud of.
You always read about Komet players raving about they are treated by the Komets and how everything is first class. Then you read this stuff about the Freedom which sounds like it is run like a treehouse kids' club. What a shame that is.
Hey, maybe Rich Coffey will buy the Komets. I'll bet he'd stand in the crowd right next to the fans as they chanted "You Suck", right along with all the lawyers, collection agencies, apartment complexes, radio stations, bus companies, former employees, payroll companies, internet companies, and assorted other people that were owed money.
No one is saying that the way the Komets are run is perfect, but after reading that article it sort of makes me think that we are pretty lucky to have Komet Hockey regardless of what league they are in, what song gets played after goals, or whatever else we can find fault with.
Anyway, great weekend Komets! The UHL better watch out during the playoffs. The Komets look like a group of guys who are proud to be part of a winning team and a great hockey tradition.
Let's make sure to get out to support the Komets during the playoffs both at home and on the road!
Go Komets!
Unsung Hero is kind of undefined. My choices would have been Miller or Guinn, but Lucky has had a huge impact on the team. I tend of vote for the guys who aren't the goal scorers or guys who really do a lot behind the scenes.
Coliseum: Kirk Franklin concert on April 30; Other than that, it's wide open for the first round. The Frankes,and rightly so, would prefer to have one weekend date for the crowd, whereas Rockford wants them to play back-to-back on weekday nights so the series can get done in the league-mandated deadline of May 2.
This will just add to the rivalry.
How bout Twister's wife...that was pretty fun to watch...
Tony, I don't think most people know much about Gary Glitter AKA: Paul Gadd unless one really followed England's glam rock era of the early 1970's. (If you saw early photos of him...you can guess he's weird!) That and the "Part II" was not intended to be the "hit single" it became. Part I; which actually has lyrics honoring 1950's era beginnings of rock and roll was supposed to be the big release. But, you should have been in my section when they played it...thought the roof was going to blow off the building! Sounded like 15,000 were inside the MC! If you're wondering where I got the Glitter File, I have a tape of his greatest hits, liner notes and photos are a riot!
Actually Michael Franke gave permission to Larry to play "the song" (stright from his mouth).
What a night...what a night...that's all I've got to say. LETS GO KOMETS!!!
I have to disagree with Jungle Monkey about the notion that "36 crappy home games" were played at Memorial Coliseum. If your only criteria for judging the quality of entertainment at a hockey game is the playing of a song then I would suggest bringing an ipod with "the song" on cue to play after each goal.
But, I was glad for the fans that "the song" was played, and I got goose bumps listening to the crowd go wild as I was shooting pictures behind the Kzoo net.
I think most people would benefit from appreciating what the Komets and its ownership are, instead of what they are not. Many comments have been made throughout the season by readers of this blog that agree with that. I know it is unrealistic to think everyone will be happy with the way things are run, but give the guys more credit than saying you had to sit through 36 nearly unbearable games.
What saddens me is that so many people in Fort Wayne say things like: "There is nothing to do, nowhere to go for fun." I suggest they give some thought to going out to see the Komets play, EVEN ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT, during the playoffs. During the last two years, the Wednesday night games have had terrible attendance. The K's have momentum. They have done their part to get this team where it is. The fans should do their part and support the team, whether it plays on a weeknight or not.
I look forward to covering the playoffs, and I think the first round will be an excellent match-up for the K's and the fans.
My comments do not necessarily reflect the position of The News-Sentinel, or anyone else for that matter.
Thanks Tony for the kind words. Trying to get this throat/cold thing out of the way for the next few weeks. I've only missed 1 game in the last 8 seasons and wasn't about to miss the awards ceremony. Sorry you all had to hear my croaky vocals. I felt like Peter Brady up there (and not the Flint goalie).
As for upcoming treats thru the playoffs, expect anything. We fly by the seat of our pants most nights but I know Scott has some of the most outrageous gimmicks and stunts lined up. As for RnR pt. 2, who knows??? As I've said time and time again, it's only a song, and you are the voices and the spirit of the Jungle. Do you cheer any less if Dombkiewicz scores instead of Goodwin? In the end, it doesn't matter. Enjoy yourselves! I'm sure you will get to hear what you want, and let's keep steamrolling the rest of the UHL.
Go Komets!!!
You all have to admit, after the song was played, it was like a huge lid was unscrewed from over top of the crowd. I think the team definitely feeds off that energy. This was the highest energy game of the year and there is no reason why it shouldn't be like that night after night. Thanks for letting the fans have fun. Thanks to the players for laying it on the line this weekend. Perfect time of the season to build momentum. Go Komets!!!
Chad,
I never said the only basis for my comments were "a song". There has been a lack of physical play all season. No fighting. No real excitement. The team has coasted along. I think there are many people who don't have the same amount of passion this year as they have in the past. It also seems that the organization is trying to create an enviroment that caters to the casual fan. Attendance is down this season. Not because of a song, but because the overall experiecne of Komet hocket is lackluster. I missed just two games this season, and will continue to come irregardless to support the team. We pay some of the highest ticket prices in the league and are the most supportive fans in minor league hockey. I believe that we should voice our opinions about the franchise. I think the Frankes to a good job overall, but I stop short of falling all over them because they are owners.
"The Song" is only an example of changes that have been made that have "churched up" the environment that many of us used to enjoy.
WAY TO GO KOMETS!!!!!
I talked with several of the players after the game last night, many commented on how loud the crowd was.... Kudos to Larry and Michael!! I think "the song", and the "true grit" play of OUR TEAM!! was a great momentum builder for the playoffs! ( I like my bacon crispy) GOOD LUCK KOMETS!!!!!!!!!
I look for the song only to be around for the playoffs, just like last year. It was broke out in the last regular season game and then played off and on throughout the playoffs. The song has been a jungle tradition and the fans really get into it. I wouldn't have been any less thrilled when Domby scored the goal, but when the song was played the Colisuem went from a petting zoo back to the jungle. Welcome to the Jungle isn't even played most nights until the 3rd period, not sure why the guys don't come out on the ice to that anymore.
Hey Larry, ever thought about playing Zombie Nation when the guys come out, or earlier in the game, not just when the game is about over. That's a song, to me, that ranks right up there to "the Jungle" for hockey games. Just a thought.
Fort Wayne Sports Fan, lighten up, Coffey just doesn't have a clue how to run things. You have to understand the Komets have spoiled this town, so when things aren't going exactly right with the team, who do you think the fans will attack? With out a doubt it will either be the coach or the front office, that's sports. Yes the Frankes do run a class organization, but it's every fans right to question decisions of them if they don't think things are going right. Totally off base comparing the way the Komets are run compared to the Freedom.
It doesn't seem like you like the song, and that's okay. But as I said, I saw and heard a totally different crowd after the song was played. Even in big games at home this year I don't believe I have heard the crowd as loud as they were after goals 3 and 4 Saturday night.
As for the team, I think if they can play that physical that they can beat any team out there. The game Saturday totally changed when they started putting bodies on the K-Wings. But hey that's all been said before and anyway we're in the playoffs now, let's have a hog roast in round one and see how far we can go.
Where do I start?? The song is a part of Fort Wayne sports and should be continued. It is played around the country and for whatever reason makes the games much more enjoyable. It was truly like the jungle of old. I hope it continues. As far as the "us vs them" I don't really enjoy that. The Frankes are doing the best that they can. After a conversation with David on Saturday, I have no reservations about that. Larry, I loved your enthusiasm last night. I could hear you trying to convey it without compromising you voice!!! Blake, My wife won't let it rest until I bring up your attire. Haha. Come on. I know how newspaper people are, but you could have sprung for something besides jeans!! Just kidding of course. Keep up the good work to all involved in the Komets run!! Scooop guys are ready for a deep play-off run. Look for us in the second round. You might even find yourself with a Scoop jersey in your lap if we are on a roll!! Thanks to all that came down Friday and asked for pictures etc... We really do appreciate it!
Truthfully? I got so wrapped up in trying to get a bunch of things done for playoffs that I forgot about the presentation. My bad.
But we do have some really good stuff coming this week.