I've been wracking my brain trying to figure out who this Komets team reminds me of, and it finally hit me last night: the 1991-92 Komets. Like this team, that squad had a large amount of turnover from a very successful squad the year before, and it always seemed to find ways to win. They were never out of any game, and they had tremendous balance and depth. Even some of the players are similar:
Luciano Aquino-Kory Kocur; Colin Chaulk-Colin Chin; Mathieu Curadeau-Lee Davidson; David Hukalo-Peter Hankinson; Scott Shaunessy-Brent Henley; Grant Richison-Kevin Bertram; Mike O'Neill-Kevin Reiter; Chris McRae-Olivier Legault; Terry Marchant-Kelly Hurd; P.C. Drouin-Bruce Boudreau; Guy Dupuis and well, Guy Dupuis; Mitch Woods definitely has some Ian Boyce in him as well, or maybe Darin Smith; Kevin Hansen-Carey Lucyk; Sergei Durdin has some Jean-Marc Richard qualities to his game as well.
That doesn't hit everybody, but there are a lot of similarities. They also got Pokey Reddick about the same time this team picked up Nick Boucher.
That was one of my favorite teams to cover because like this one it had a mixture of returning veterans and an amazing crop of younger players who we were just getting to know. That was the year after Robin Bawa, Kevin Kaminski, Max Middendorf, Brian McKee and a few other guys moved on after signing NHL contracts.
Now, in no way am I saying this team is the same individual talent level as the 91-92 team but some of the personalities and style of play are similar.
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Blake not only have you matched the players up but you have unknowing linked the attitudes that [that] group brought to the locker room and the scorers table. With the one exception of "Gabby" Bruce Boudreau. There was not one player on that team that worried about points or who got what for assists. That team as well as the one after it were "All for One & One for All" They won as a team and the lost as a team just like this one. We laugh about "Gabby" because we still try to give him assists to this day. (Only when we are trying to figure out who actually deserves it.) It is not always as easy at it seems. We know when Guy Dupuis or Colon Chaulk ask for it they are 99.9% correct. It sure helps to know just who to look for on the video. Komets fans should know that every goal is reviewed, both for the home team and the visitors. They want it right and so do the Officials. The players earn the points, thats for sure, and they deserve them all.
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couldn't finish last post, wife took the computer away from me! I am just enjoying the season.
The boys at the office are making up some more King of KO shirts with Legault's name and number on the back, if anyone wants one e-mail turbo2mike@yahoo.com or see him at the game fri and sat, sits in the corner section 223 and normally wears his king of KO shirt.
i was at a lunch meeting the other day, sneaking peaks at espn and i swear i saw Gabby jumping up and down on the bench after a Capitals shootout win.
i think Flint has the toughest schedule remaining, 11 games, 3 FW, 2 PH, 2 Kzoo, 2 Muskegon, 2 Bloom. Every game (but FW) is going to be a must win situation battle for each team. Plus they are just getting healthy again, i'm still sticking with flint finishing 5th place.
I walked into that one.
i still think its the 73 team that this one resembles the most. those guys lit fire at christmas time and to a man they didnt think anybody could beat them, and few did.
Chuckitt could be right. D'Arcy Keating & Cal Purinton were two real tough guys. Bob Fitchner, Chick Balon & Wayne Ego what a group that was. Another "Great" Coach also in Marc Boileau. He was one classy guy. I believe he even put himself on the roster when the Komets came up shorthanded due to injuries. Outstanding pair of Goaltenders with Robbie Irons & Don Atchison. Those were the days my friend.
burgee, I like "oxcymorons" You got my point didn't you?
Gabby, yes our old Gabby is the Head Coach of Washington. He is doing a fantastic job also.
yes, and why i have your attention, thank you for all you do, we have the classiest most professional off ice crew. I'm a numbers hound and when i look at our stat sheets i know they are true, some of the other rinks i don't trust as much.
Amen!
burgee, On behalf of "All" the Off Ice Officials THANK YOU! It is more than difficult to remain imparcial. We are all really true Komet fans at heart.