Komets, St. Pierre parting ways

I don't blame anybody for the first Muskegon series loss. The K's came off a very hard Kalamazoo series where they had to play 5 games in 7 days due to scheduling issues with both buildings and they ran into a hot, rested Muskegon team. People were afraid the Frenchy wasn;t healthy enough to be able to play a whole season and wanted a quality back-up, that had nothing to do with the coach or the rest of the players.
What do you think contributed to why the Komets' finished strong?

The only thing Puhalski does is to threaten things. If he would have picked a better group to begin with, he wouldn't have had to make such drastic moves. Any man that only allows his players to call him Chief, and won't even turn his head if they call him coach, has some serious ego issues. He does not support the guys, never stands up for the horrid calls, just stands there looking stupid and lording over them. If I was a player, I would at least like to know my coach was behind me, Good or bad play.

I can definatly(sp) that Puhalski is not good with players, I would probably agree that we need a total start from scratch. But we won't have that and it won;t keep me from not coming to games.

What makes a great goalie a defense that clears the net and makes forwards think twice before stepping into the crease area. Frenchy's problem was our defense was just terrialbe at times and no true enforcers in front of the next. Chaulk will be next IMO...Hey these things happen and someone else will become the fan favorites.

I am probably being naive but I think they finished strong due to heart and pride. In all my years as a season ticket holder I have seen many teams lacking in talent go a long way on nothing but pride and guts and heart. I have been used to seeing that in the Komets but it is starting to be a little harder to find. The morale seems to be off lately.

I'll agree to that.

ILH, if he had picked a better group to begin with, many of you would have been SCREAMING about that. They brought back 12 players from the team the year before and the first three signings were Guy, Lance and Mark Smith. They added toughness, a sniper and a No. 1 defenseman -- three things that were definite holes the year before. That should have been a very solid lineup.

In other words, if they had put together a different team, I doubt many fans would have been happy about that because it would have meant fewer returning players.

I also thought it was interesting that everybody hated the trades they had to make, but if you look at the record the team picked up its play considerably after the deals. Maybe the message got through, I don't know.

Muskegon this past season was pretty much a good goalie away from taking another cup (and maybe another good d-man)....picking up Frenchy would IMO put Muskegon right back on top. That is assuming that a few of their players don't retire and Muskegon will have to remap their team as well.

One thing with that Blake that I've seen other places, Danny and Dusty were in the Finals and the K's were not. Dusty now has two Colonial Cups were the rest of his Komet teammates do not.

Or that the salary cap becomes a hard cap and then it changes everything for every team. It could be a totally different league in a couple of weeks.

I would never say that Greg Puhalski is an easy coach to play for, but that doesn't mean he's not effective. He's definitely old school, and coaches still run teams, players do not. I'm not writing that to be mean or try to tick you off, but point out the reality. That's just the way it is.

Start cleaning house by FIRING THE FRANKE's

Isn't it though Blake more of a common practice to get rid of the coach when expectations are not being met. Look at the Ottawa Senators. They've had basically the same team for a while and after an early round exit a couple of years ago the fired a very good coach in Jacques Martin, he's about ready to take the Floida Panthers to places they haven't been for a while.

That makes no sense Brett, the Frankes own the team, can't fire them.

Tony E
I posted this on Justin's blog on May 10th and you lambasted me for it "Yesterday, I heard Frenchy was traded. Can anyone confirm this?" and you replied and said "Memo to the Anon rumor poster. Frenchy has a PLAYER OPTION which means he can't be traded. He either elects to come back or he is a free agent. Where would you hear such a "rumor"? You are posting on one of the two blogs of the people in charge of "rumors" and neither have posted anything. In short, if you want to start rumors go hang out with the folks on ITB where truth never gets in the way of a good story.
No need to appologize. Just thought I would highlight you looking like a boob. I guess you could say I got the last laugh. Right?

I know I was being sarcastic...lol

TO knuclepuck-He's not being traded, he'll be a free agent what is what Tony E said. You may have been right that Frenchy wasn't coming back, but you got the reason wrong and Tony E had the reason right. I wouldn't apologize if I were him.

I will say this for Frenchy though, he's at this point not bashing the Freankes or the coach, I don't know if that will change when everything is official, but he's showing a lot of class right now.

Seems to be a pattern for him, wouldn't you say? Definitely our loss, I'm very sorry to see him go. There will be no joy in Mudville tonight when I break the news to my son.

So, I suppose storming the Komets office with pitchforks and flaming torches is out of the question?

I wouldn't say out of the question. Illegal, maybe. Prone to get yourself shot, highly likely.

Oh fine, be a law-abiding citizen, I see how it is. Just trying to laugh my way out of this really ticked-off frame of mind I'm in and not having any success. I wish I could see the logic behind this move.

Hey, i'm the morale police after all.
I'm not sure if there's any logic to it that we can see and the Frankes may never come out and say why they made the move. We just havbe to hope they can find an replacement for Frenchy.

hey blake

if there is anyway to get hold of a Komet Payer that has played for "Chief" past or if any want to play present to maybe interview them and find out how "Chief" is and how players like paying for him.
if you could get Frenchy to talk about it would be awsome. since he isnt coming back and he might be will to tell the truth.
of if any past or present payers read this make up a name and say your opioins about "Chief"

Nobody wants to get in the paper and call Puhalski out. Past or present. Why be on record ragging on an old coach? Other teams would look down on a player for doing it.

None of it matters. He is here to stay.

Just once I'd like to see Blake's opinion differ from that of the Franke family.

....just ask Sean Venedam. I don't think Blake will print some of the things he might tell you about the Cutout though.

It is not the end of the world that Pierre is gone. You guys will be apologizing to the Frankes and most importantly the Coach when the dust settles. There is a darn good reason why the Frankes have stayed behind this coach. He is not the most winningest coach in the UHL for nothing!!!!!

Great, this guy again. Go back to the Off Track betting facility Komet Warrior. We all know that you're really Greg Puhalski.

Do you really think I haven't asked? What happens most of the time is "Oh, I'm not putting my name to that.'' Or they say, "Why don't you write about Chief,'' and my first question is, "And your quote is?'' and they run for the hills. If they aren't willing to put their name to it, it must not be that bad.

The other thing is, I don't think it matters. Players have hated coaches for centuries, and will for centuries more. It's part of sports. Very, very rarely do players love their coaches. Believe me, I've seen a lot worse from other coaches, even Komets coaches. Do you really think Puhalski is tougher on the Komets than Dave Allison, Dave Farrish or Al Sims? He's not.

Again, JM, it's not necessarily my job to have an opinion on this, it's my job to present you the facts so you can make your own opinion. And point out some perspective.

What I try to do on this blog and make sure things are presented equally and nine times out of 10 you guys are slamming management and are unwilling to consider another side of it. That's your perogative.

I'm also willing to wait and see what they actually come up with for next season. Let's face it, they know right from the start that the expectations and pressure will be squarely on coach to produce and produce quickly. If he does, then what will you say?

The other thing, every time the Komets have a "bad'' year, they've come back with a really good season. Bob Essensa in 95-96, The MIG line in 1997-98 and the Cup in 2003.

Anybody still think I'm a fan? LOL

Sorry to see Frenchy leave. I thought he would be the last player the Frankes would let go.It's a shame he had to play for a coach that believes hockey is soccer on ice.There is alot of pressure on a goalie who can only rely on his team for a few goals a game.
To the people who keep talking about Puhalski being the winningest UHL coach-that seems to be a double-edged sword to me.If he was that exceptional as a coach shouldn't he be moving to a higher league?
As for the fan who asked how many Colonial Cups St Pierre has won-if you are judging a goalies' ability on that , then maybe Robbie Irons' number should be unretired.

Well done, Neal.