Since I started covering the Komets in 1990 (no, not all consecutively, thank you), I haven't seen seen a Fort Wayne team that plays team defense like this one. The Komets beat Kalamazoo 2-0 on Friday night, giving up only 19 shots overall and 10 in the final two periods. The Wings had no, zero, nada, shots on goal over the last six minutes of the game. And that includes a power play and stopping Kory Karlander and Nick Bootland, two of the top five or so offensive players in the league.
Over their last six games, the Komets have given up more than 20 shots only once. That's astonishing.
``I think in the first period I made a couple of big saves at time and kind of got into it, and then over the last two periods there was only 10 shots for them so there really wasn't too much work,'' goaltender Kevin Reiter said. ``A lot of guys did a good job on penalty kills. We did a great job in the neutral zone, angling guys and forcing dumps. Our D stepping up was huge tonight. They did a great job blocking shots, and I don't think we gave up an odd-man rush all night tonight. When you do that, you're going to have a good chance of winning.''
So the question is, anybody else among our long-time fans seen a team that played this consistently defensively? I thought about 93, but even that team gave up a bunch of shots, they were just from long-range. What do you think?
Comments
What i am seeing this year in our defensive play is just great, i really enjoy it. I am also very happy for Al Sims, i think it shows when you give him the tools he needs to succed he will. I thought last years team was really good but this team is just giving an outstanding effort every night.
I have been impressed with not only the defensive play, but the intense hustle and drive that the team has shown. The score could be 1-0 or 9-1....these guys keep the intensity level up the entire game.
Unlike a lot of previous teams, I think the scoring, the defensive plays and yes, the physical play is coming from the entire roster....not just a handful of players.
Finding a prior team to compare to this one's defense....I'm guessing the '93 team, but for overall play AND entertainment value I'm going to go with the '91 team and the '92 team. Some of those games against the Ice were worthy of being a pay per view event!
the 73 team seemed to be about as tough on defense. id have to look up the exact numbers, but that team and this years team are similar in my memory bank. all lines contribute, great goalies, forwards getting back to play d and many guys willing to give up their bodies, whether its blocking a shot or going to the aid of a teammate!
I have been told that the '73 team was tough as nails. Despite the fact that I got to see Robbie Irons play once when I was in 8th grade, my being a regular at games only dates back to about 1987.