You know how I've said for the last two weeks or so that I've gotten the sense that something really good could be happening with the Komets right now? There's more of a sense of purpose around the guys, an air of confidence that's building. It's just a feeling from having been around teams so long.
Well, I'm not the only one judging from conversations I've had with players recently.
"I'm having fun the last 20 games or so,'' Colin Chaulk said. "We're starting to win. We're excited and happy with our effort. Things are going pretty good, and I don't see any reason why that shouldn't continue.''
And today Rob Guinn:
``This place I equate it to playing for the Yankees. Everybody looks at us as if we're the powerhouse all the time and we have all the money. Everyone wants to play for this team, and it's an honor to play for this team. I think the boys realize that and are starting to play like that.
"That's the mentality all the guys have. Obviously we've had our ups and downs, but I think the guys are starting to get a little more focused and buying into the systems that we have, and if we do that we'll be real successful. We're definitely going to be a team that other teams aren't going to want to play in the playoffs.''
What struck me about both of them is that they were very calm and relaxed when they said it, sort of like when you know somebody has a lot of confidence in themselves and what they can do. That wasn't there two months ago.
I don't think anybody wants to face them in the playoffs for a few reasons: 1. Frenchy can win a series all by himself; 2. The Komets are filled with players who have tons of playoff experience and have a few talented players like Chaulk, Luciuk and Drouin who could dominate a series by themselves; 3. The Komets aren't bothered by playing on the road; 4. Even if by some way a team beats the Komets in the first round, they're going to be awfully beat up going into the second round. They're going to pay a price for it.
It's way to early to anoint them or predict the Komets are going to win a cup, they have some good things coming together if they can keep it up.
Comments
Good to hear, keep focused guys, next couple of months will be a great ride.
I hate the Yankees, but I like the comparison. We expect the Komets to dominate every year, just like the Yankee fans expect it from their team. We do have an awesome tradition and have been blessed with great teams. This is an awesome town for hockey, and we should all be proud of it!
If some of the Komets read this site, here is a message: Keep playing each game with the same desperation that you have, and you will keep winning. Don't take any shift off. Play each shift like its your last. Guys are finally starting to play hard and are hustling out there as a team. I like the hockey the Komets have played of late.
The #1 line is doing the majority of the scoring right now. I hope the other two lines wake-up and start following suit. Kelly Miller has been so close the past several games of breaking out and scoring a couple of goals with great chances. Eventually, you hope, they start hitting the back of the net!
Seeing some of these quotes from the guys gives a little in site into the appreciation they have playing for an organization that is first class. You know a few months back there where some post by fans who cared, but lost sight that observations do not totally disclosed what may or may not be going on behind closed doors or in the minds of players. These guys know that there is a tradition here and it is a pretty deep tradition in minor league hockey. For the most part we are the "hated" team in the UHL and everyone gears up to play us because of our tradition. These players realize that and were frustrated early in the year. Things were not going right and many of the faithful started to question the heart, desire, and even their manhood for the most part. Many were asking for a change in the coaching. You know this hockey club past and present has always tried to put a winner on the ice and I am sure management has let it be known that expectations for them are high and that they expect their best. What stands out to me the most is the way Coach P handled the team early on. He never panicked or change his belief in how the K's played or the players he had. He keep preaching in the media and I am sure to the players of "simplify" their play and work..Guys like Galbraith who came with a lot of "hype" soon became the whipping boy of fans, but he has shown a passion in his play of late that I feel has become contagious. Chaulk has used his experience and his leadership to circle the wagons and brought the team together when I am sure it would have been easy to start pointing fingers and questioning. He always talked about what he needs to do better early on, shouldering the blame for the slow start. That showed his leadership by trying to put blame on himself. Yes the way they are playing could lead to a very nice play-off run, but who knows. It is a "one game at a time" mentality for them and I am sure Coach P will remind them of that. How about Guinn, here is a guy who has played steady all year but on top of that he is trying to achieve a degree to secure a better future after his playing days are done. Do people realize what this guy is going through? To me that is what being a role model is all about, realizing the importance of an education and finding a way to try to achieve that. I am sure K's management has help with him in realizing this goal for him. As this team comes down the stretch it is going to be fun to watch. What happens, who knows, but you can be assured that this group of players will lay it on the line. Will changes be made with a trade deadline approaching? That could happen, but only if it can better the team. Yes it would be nice to get another scorer or "power-forward" but that is something everyone is looking for and I am not to sure that "guy" is out there in the league. If he is, I am sure a hefty price will be asked for that individual or individuals. Let's as fans sit back relax and enjoy this last few weeks or months of hockey we have. Let's be supportive of the guys we have. In football you have the 12th man, basketball the 6ht man, let's have the 7th man when play-off's come because our building is tough to play in for opposing teams.
wow, Sgriff...you've got a lot to say. I too, like Guinn. I think we have some 'good' leaders on this team on and off the ice. I also thing we have some players who need to be better leaders on and off the ice. We have great hockey here, and I'm proud to say I'm a Komets fan! I think we have great management, who trys to bring in players with skill and determination. Playoffs are going to ROCK, and I have all the confidence in the world that we can take 'em.. whoever it may be. GO KOMETS
www.kometsboosterclub.com
Sorry about that...
It's nice to hear from Guinn! I agree with Sgriff. Guinn is a great player to have around. I think people tend to take advantage of him. I know I've said it before, but I'll say it again: good luck to him with the nursing degree! Though I haven't seen him around IPFW lately...
Great weekend, Komets!
http://www.kometsboosterclub.com (just in case anyone forgot, LOL)
Maybe Guinn does become another player to put his roots in Fort Wayne after he retires. Everytime I come into town it seems the hospitals are growing (people really should step away from the buffet at Golden Corral after the 4th trip) so if he is going into nursing I am sure there are jobs for him.
The team is skating with confidence right now. They have had some wild games this year with Muskegon, at least 2 high scoring that I can think of. Granted they lost both but one was earlier in the season and the recent game was apparently screwy. Things tend to even out. I haven't seen Danbury so I don't know how well they match up with them. I will have to retract statements I made about 2 months ago when I said the Komets had no shot at doing anything in the playoffs. A cup win? I don't know. The P.K. needs some work and they need to stop getting down 5 on 3. But as others have said, nobody wants to play them in the first round.
I am a whole lot more optimistic about our chances in the playoffs now than i was a couple months ago. Kudos to "Chief" for staying the course with this team. He richly deserves consideration for Coach of the Year. I was particularly impressed by Todd Nelson's positive comments about our boys after the most recent Komet/Fury game. Shows me that we are a team to be reckoned with come play-off time. Keep up the great work, K's!
From my view in Section 206 I can really see the steady improvement in how the team is playing. I wish I could have been here this past weekend, but we had a wedding and other family obligations in Chicago. If they can play smart hockey, after the final meeting against Muskegon, Larry can proclaim "KOMETS WIN!, KOMETS WIN!" See everyone on Friday!
Bob, how dare your family schedule a wedding that directly conflicts with a Komets home game???? Where are the priorities!?!?!? ;-) J/K
Don't worry Bob, I will be there to say "Komets Win" when it does happen.
If anyone has been around the locker room after the games, you will see a remarkable difference and just feel it in the air. These guys do not like to lose. I think this is the most balanced lineup we have had for the past few years. Anyone can step up on any given night as has been proven in the past few months. It's been fun to watch and see what they come up with next. I'm glad no one has had much bad to say recently. Although for Blake I'm sure it's been kind of boring. Hey, if winning is boring, let the boredom begin.
I'm not complaining in the least.
Larry, check your work e-mail.
This season could end up being a very special one in Fort Wayne. The turnaround the Komets have made kind of reminds me of how the Joe Franke game turned the Komets season around a couple years ago and lead them to winning the Cup. Let's face facts, while Danny Stewart was a very popular player, what did he bring to the table that Galbraith has not provided far better? Getting Jorde, who is one of the best defenseman at the UHL level, has really helped turn this season around. Jorde for Stewart is a trade that is a COMPLETE steal for the Komets. Another trade the Komets got the better of was Virag for Luciuk. Virag has been a very inconsistent player over the years and was bringing nothing to the table this year. Luciuk has been a key addition and adds veteran leadership to the team. Frenchy is the key to a long playoff run. If he stays healthy, he can win playoff series by himself.