* Through the first 23 games of this season, the Komets had scored only 48 goals and were in danger of breaking the franchise record low of 2.37 goals for set in the 2003-04 season. Over the last 29 games, they have scored 101 goals to go 19-7-3. They are currently averaging 2.87 for the season.
The biggest change during that time? The forming of the line with Colin Chaulk centering Tab Lardner and Derek Patrosso. They have combined for 30 goals over the last 25 games. Lardner has scored 17,Chaulk seven and Patrosso six.
* The Komets had to make some major acquisitions to turn the season around after a 5-15-1 start. Since Tab Lardner joined the lineup on Dec. 3, the Komets have gone 20-13-4. They are 16-7-2 since Colin Chaulk rejoined the team Jan. 7, 15-6-2 since signing Dan Lapointe on Jan. 14, and 7-4 sign adding Jon Mirasty on Feb. 9.
* Lardner has had a particularly big impact on the Komets. After being acquired in a trade with Missouri, he scored in his first game as a Komet, a 5-3 loss to Bloomington on Dec. 3. Then he went eight games without a goal, as the Komets went 2-5-2.
Since then, Lardner has been on fire with 22 goals in 30 games. Even better, the Komets have been, too, going 12-3-2 in games when he scores at least one goal. In fact, they had won the last eight games straight in which the left wing scored before losing Saturday and Sunday.
* For the first time in nine seasons, the Komets are assured they won't win at least 40 games. They've done it 11 of the past 13 seasons
Comments
Blake or Tim: Any news on Tim's wife? Is she doing better?
When I talked to him Saturday night, she was doing better and things were looking up.
Why are we wasting good young talent and sitting A-Pod
come on watch him play Maybe we can get a story started to find out more. It seem Komets were excited to land him but now never plays, he can't work if he never skates
Shawn its already been said why he isnt playing, its because his lack of defensive skills. Like it or not thats why he is riding the pine!
Blake can you pull the attendance numbers over the last month?
Just wondering from a few perspectives if there has been a noticable increase.
Does winning, fighting, Chaulks return etc bring a big change or are people pretty much coming as they always have?
No significant changes over the rest of the season or over past seasons at this time in the schedule.
I don't know if anything should be made of that or not. I have an opinion but I think voicing it right now may unintentionally offend some people.
I'd rather read what others think of that.
What if anything do fans want the Komets to do to increase attendance. It is great but not a nightly sellout. Is that even possible? What would it take?
Rk she may get out of hospital today. Things look better as it was serious. Just going to play it day by day and see. Thanks for your concern. She has been touched by the prayers and thoughts of all you good people!! Thanks very much!
I took 2 months to compare, 1 from the "losing" 1st half of the season and one from the "winning" half...
Nov. 5th vs. Bloomy = 7206 (Fri.)
Nov. 6th vs. E-Ville = 9213 (Sat.)
Nov. 19th vs. Arizona = 6723 (Fri.)
Nov. 20th vs. Dayton = 7388 (Sat.)
Nov. 25th vs. QC = 7289 (Thur.)
Nov. 27th vs. QC = 6988 (Sat.)
Feb. 4th vs. Wichita = 6966 (Fri.)
Feb. 5th vs. Wichita = 10011 (Sat.)
Feb. 9th vs. Bloomy = 5474 (Wed.)
Feb. 11th vs. QC = 7811 (Fri.)
Feb. 13th vs. E-Ville = 7089 (Sun)
Feb. 18th vs. Dayton = 7981 (Fri.)
Feb. 20th vs. Dayton = 8011 (Sun)
Feb. 25th vs. QC = 7517 (Fri.)
Feb. 26th vs. 8279 (Sat)
Nov's average for 6 home games = 7467
Feb's average for 9 home games = 7682
Nov. home dates were all friday and saturday nights... Feb's home dates had 1 Wed. and 2 Sun. games...
Not much of a difference and we could discuss the many different factors that could influence attendance figures (like the difference in weather) until the cow's come home; but the one thing I will say is that I think the actual attendance has looked closer to the number announced in February than it did in November...
Which is why the Komets prefer to backload the schedule rather than play a lot of home games in October and November.
I don't think there's anything you could do to get sellouts even half the time. Three years ago when they were winning 25 games in a row at home, it was pretty much the same attendance. They've had tons of fighters before, and no difference, either. (It always kills me when everybody so fondly remembers 90-91 when the average attendance was 4,200 before the playoffs.) The Komets have tremendous advantages already in Scott Sproat, Icy, the video board, consistency of quality product and excellent all-around media coverage. They might have maxed out.
Tim first of all best wishes to you and your family.
JR1 I agree the building looks more full these days. But I think they can only fudge the attendance number at the very most by the number of tickets sold.
I am trying to figure out if the signing of players actually does anything to increase attendance. My opinion in this market is the answer is no. In other markets the answer may be yes. Have the Komets ever signed/traded for a player that can be linked to an obvious spike in attendance maybe beyond one or two games?
I am also curious how many fans are not going to game now because they are waiting for the AHL (which I believe will not happen in the current incarnation that the AHL is)
In short I believe that the Komet will always have their 3000 or so STH and an assorted walkup of 4-5000 no matter who is in the uniform as long as the team is at least competitive.
As an advertiser I am most worried about keeping or growing that 4-5000 as they are the ones that show up to a couple of games a year, buy programs and observe other advertising past the first game.
Blake your post crossed with mine. I suspect you are right about maxing out.
Tim: I'm glad to hear she is doing better. Send our best wishes to her. I can relate to what you are both going through and I know it's not easy. It's fun to come on here and bicker back and forth but something like that puts things into perspective and allows you to remember not to take anything on here seriously, which I hope no one actually does.
On a brighter note, I hope the Komets get it turned around tomorrow night. While some disagree, I also sure hope we get Ratchuk back, and soon. I think he's a good player, whether he had a bad game last game out or not.
I also got my season ticket early bird form. I thought I paid more last year, but maybe not? GO KOMETS!!!
Snuff, do you believe your adverstising dollar is better spent on the "casual fan" than the STH?
I guess in short, I'm asking does simply getting your name in front of a person a couple times show more payback than beating it over someone's head 40 times a year?
That said, let me state that my personal buying habit aren't affected by the Komets in the least... I wouldn't use a company or product just beacause they advertise with the Komets. I'm not the "average" consumer though. I think the USPS and Phonebooks aren't worth having. When looking at advertising for my business I always have to take the target demographic into account and remove my personal bias.
Glad to hear that, Tim. Let her know the BlueLineBably house is rooting for her speedy recovery as well. There's nothing a red headed hockey chick's good wishes can't fix :)
JM,
My advertising packages covers game program, internet and a couple of other things as well.
When it comes to the program I think the people who only come to a game or two are more likely to buy a program than someone there all year. They may buy one at the start of the season but that is probably it.
The website advertising I think is seen by all fans who go to Komets site to see what is going on with the team and the other stuff is targeted towards all fans.
I used to advertise in the STH newsletter but as far as I know that was discontinued.
Mr S....I think you're right about the programs. I've only bought a couple, ever, (for my son, not even for myself, so I've never even read them) and I go to the majority of weekend home games, although I missed a lot more this year than I ever have. I'm not a season ticketholder, though. We just get our tickets as we need them.
Please just tell me you don't do the thundersticks....that's all I ask....I love kids, love them at the games, I just really hate those things.
I always take 2 pairs of Thunderstix... 2 less that will hit me in the head or bang in my ear..
I'm getting a headache just thinking of those darn things....
Ok... two things I can promise you I will NEVER sponsor...
Thundersticks and the noisemakers for the NYE game! You have my word on that! lol.
Mr. Snufflupugus,
Thank You.