I just wrote three stories for tomorrow and I think I have enough material for three more. Here are some of the leftovers:
Terry Marchant: ``I am so drained. I could never imagine being this tired. I'm just going through all these emotions right now. There are so many injuries the guys are playing with right now that it's just unreal. It will all come out over the next few weeks."
David Franke: ``They are all special. This is maybe more special because of the regular season we had and we won the playoff championship. It's not too often that you win both in the same season. This is the greatest Komet hockey team ever. We came back from a 3-1 deficit, we won in three overtimes. We are batting .500 as owners as far as winning cups in the Finals. That ought to get you to the hall of fame."
Colin Chaulk: ``When we won in 03, it wasn't a breeze but we dominated and we were very lucky. I learned a lot when we lost to Muskegon in four straight in 04, and we came back against Rockford in 05. I learned a lot of lessons there that these young guys I don't know if they learned them. They probably don't understand what they are going through.''
Al Sims: ``It almost feels like this is two in a row for me. Those 15 years are just gone. I'm like, here I am again. I'm going for three in a row next year."
Some notes: That was the third-longest game in FW history, and it's the first time in FW history that the Komets have won a game that went past the first overtime. ... There's a hilarious story about David Hukalo's suit in tomorrow's paper. ... Chad Ryan has some absolutely amazing pictures of the game-winning goal that you won't believe. ... Anybody have any idea of how many people were there at the end? 8,500? 9,000? ... Brent Henley and Mathieu Curadeau are going to have knee surgery very soon. ... Can you believe we've seen the Komets win three Game sevens in overtime? That's the most amazing thing of the whole night. ... The only other IHL Game 7 to go to overtime was before even Guy Dupuis, Konstantin Shafranov or I was born, April 2, 1949 when Windsor beat Toledo 4-3. I knew there was a reason I liked Windsor. ... If ever there was a game that needed a second referee, this was it because of all the garbage behind the play. I still think it would be a bad idea, though. ... Best quote of the night: ``I don't even want to wake up this afternoon because I'm going to hurt so bad,'' Kevin Hansen said. ... Komets trainer Shawn Dundon had more icetime than the Zamboni. ... The game went so long Capri Chaulk grew two inches. ... As I was driving back to the office tonight, I was praying I didn't get pulled over because my hair was full of beer and champagne and I never drank a drop. ... The Komets hit the crossbar or post four times in the game. ... Before this the Komets were 1-15 in series when they trailed 3-1. ... The Komets are now 19-1-3 all-time when playing at home before crowds of 10,000. ... Is there a bigger cheap-shot artist in the world than Jeff Zehr? ... How good is this rivalry going to be next season. ... The Turner Cup fell apart when they first picked it up. ... Michala Dundon was the first of many baby bottoms to kiss the cup this year.
Good night.
Comments
One more thing: The neatest thing of the whole night for me was seeing the Komets vets on the ice with all their kids after the game. I thought it was wonderful that they included them in all of it because they definitely are a huge part of it.
Before the season started the common complaint was nobody would care about the IHL, it only had six teams, the championship would mean nothing. Now that it's over, after 2 excellent teams played their hearts out, and 10000+ fans went nuts for five hours, we know it means a lot.
Well done Komets! They faced a hot goaltender, didn't get many bounces and got hacked to pieces. They were strong. They were tough. This is the greatest game I've seen. Outstanding!
Can't wait to read the paper.
After 34 years of watching the K's I am glad that my Dad (87yrs) and I could be part of this great season. Congratulations to the Komets!
Blake, Thanks for the Tim Horton's. I got to have one and the boys all grubbed on them after the game. What a fitting treat! Fans, you were absolutely awesome this year and we all got rewarded with the ultimate prize. My head hurts and my throat is raw but it's all worth it. See ya'll tomorrow night at the Coliseum Expo.
There have been two Final Game 7s in Komet history, the first one being the 3-1 loss (with empty net goal) to the St. Paul Saints with Glenn Ramsey coached by Fred Shero in 1960. That Komet team went 50-16-2 I think in the regular season and included many of the great Komet legends and John Ferguson. That Komet team had lost a 3 OT game at home earlier in the series. My Dad and I are two of what I suspect is a pretty select group of long-time Komet fans who was there that night in April 1960 and fortunate enough to be there again Monday night. Two of my boys were there with us Monday and I told them to cherish the thrill and the memory of this Game 7 forever because it will be talked about as long as any of us are still around to talk about it.
kudos to all!! the komets , port urine and all the fans!! a great season! lets keep the excitement going and hope more ciites see what can happen and decide to join with us!!!