Happy locker room. Everybody was amazed by what Frenchy did. He totally controlled the game. Komets showed good team toughness by not reacting to Watson's cheap shot. It gave them some much-needed time off the penalty kill. Rockford had 53 shots, plus I'll bet the Komets blocked seven or eight before they got to him. They were mostly from long range, but Frenchy did make some excellent close-in saves as well. It was one of those games where I could tell about five minutes into the second period that there was no way Rockford was going to beat St. Pierre tonight. He was dominating.
Komets also get a huge break tonight in that they get to sleep in Rockford before driving to Bloomington tomorrow. It's about three hours away. It's Homecoming at Illinois State and there are no rooms so they get to sleep in. Also, Bloomington has to drive all night from Muskegon.
Everybody was healthy after the game.
Maybe I'll be able to post more after the game. Hit, behave yourself. LOL.
Comments
Great win for the K's last night!!! Frenchy again stepped up and showed why he is the premiere goaltender in the UHL. The difference this year is that Frenchy actually has a great supporting cast around him, unlike the selfish, me-first guys that seemed to permeate the team last year. This is going to be a championship year for the Komets!!!
You just have to hope his mind and body stays healthy and he does not wear down near the end of the season. It sounded like he stole the show last night but he needs to be able to do that in game 80 or so (during the playoffs). I got the sense last year that by the end of the season his head was not into it. Just call it a hunch based on observation. This year with a new coaching staff and new teamates, hopefully it will not happen again.
I agree with Tony. I'll wait til the playoffs to see how St. pierre plays.
The K's looked very sound last night, especially for the first game of the season. The PK also looked very good. Bozo had the hit of the night on Watson, even though it was a slight elbow. Awesome! St. Pierre did steal the show, thats for sure. He looked great! Talked to Dommer after the game. He was happy about how the team played and from observation, looks like he is going to be one of our top D-men this season. He was very physical and didn't look out of position all night. Another thing I noticed, this team has NO shortage of goal scorers, be it offensive or defensive. They almost hurt themselves by being too offensive though, as Rockford had quite a few 2 on 1 breakouts or slight breakways. Other than that, it was great! Hopefully this continues into tonight! Here's to a great game in Bloomington (and us ruining there home opener :)). Hopefully we'll see some other K's fans their! GO KOMETS!
Before anyone jumps me too much, I feel that if his head is in the right place, and he is healthy going into the playoffs, the Komets have one of the best in the league between the pipes.
I have no problem with St. Pierre and his regular seaon performance, his numbers prove that. I question his ability in the post season and nothing anyone says about the team around him or the way the team around him played can disuade me from the fact that i have no confidance in St. Pierre leading this or any team to a post season championship.
Greg, Frenchy has won a championship with Bakersfield so that blows your statement away.... Blame Frenchy for last year's playoff debacle? Come on!!! Losing Chaulk right before the playoffs killed any chances they had and with all the selfish guys on the team that are no longer there that spelled doom. Tony, exactly how many Komet games do you see living in Canada? I do see all the Komet home games and several of their road games and Frenchy was not the problem in them not winning a title the last 2 years. With the supporting cast the Komets have assembled this year, unless injuries gut the team, the Komets have championship written all over them.
Don't question Tony! He knows it all! Haha, just kidding of course..;)
Give Frenchy a Chance!!!! Please play McWhinney tonight!!!! Let both guys get action each week.
Did anyone see the Kalamazoo-Elmira box score on the UHL site today?
Elmira's Frank Littlejohn got 26 penalty minutes in the game, including a 5-min. major and game misconduct for charging K-zoo goalie Tom Askey.
Glad we didn't pick Littlejohn up. What a pathetic excuse for a hockey player.
Hit, why bench Frenchy after he had an incredible game last night? Keep him in tonight and for the home opener. Then put McWhinney in for a game. Maybe by then our defense can settle down a bit.
I agree with dnl, keep Frenchy in tonight and at our home opener. Way to go K's! Keep up the good work.
I just don't want to see the young guy take the back-seat to Frenchy all year long. If we are gonna win the Cup this year, my opinion is that it is going to have to be a team effort and that includes both Goalies. It is important to keep both of them fresh, rested, hungry, and sharp. And to do that I think both need to play games each weekend. Tonight would make sense for McWhinney as it is game #2 against a weaker opponent and we all know that Frenchy will play in the home opener on Saturday which is the only game of the weekend. So if McWhinney sits out tonight, that gives Frenchy 3 starts to McWhinney's 0 and the kid stays on the pine for 2-3 weeks with no action. I don't care who Frenchy thinks he is, we need 2 strong goalies come playoff time. Get the kid experience and keep Frenchy injury free.
Kometsfan I live near Detroit not Canada. I just have spent a good part of my life and time in Canada. How many games did I see? Well, roughly 10 home games and most games played at Flint, Motor City and Port Huron plus playoffs every year since the mid 1990's. On average 20 regular season games a season plus playoffs.
I do think you let St Pierre play through the home opener. We also don't know if either goalie is dealing with the flu but I think you keep the veteran in there at the beginning because early season passing mistakes can lead to more than a normal share of odd man rushes and scoring chances. You don't want to take a chance on getting the kid shell shocked and ruin his confidence.
off topic but.....TIGERS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Geez, do we have to rehash this again? If Frenchy goes down, the Komets have no shot at winning a championship. The back-up goaltender more often than not is going to be a rookie, just like on almost every other UHL team. That's not going to change as long as their is a salary cap and a rookie rule. McWhinney is a great kid, but I wouldn't want him to have to face a home-opener for the other team tonight, especially the ways the Ks defense has played so far.
Blake Blake Blake, I'm disappointed in you Super Fan. I yell out for ya after you walked out from the game and ya don't even look around the bus to see me...I'm hurt Blake...I'm hurt.
Atleast Shutterbug enjoyed the cheering for her!
I just got back from Rockford/Bloomington so I'll toss my thoughts of the games tomorrow (I know that's why you all come here, for my commentary and not Blake's) for some odd reason i'm just too tired right now
I wonder if Kalamazoo tought the same things about Joel martin last year when their fan base and Super Fan reporter just assumed the best thing is to just play Jeff Reynaert because the backup is just a nice guy who is the rookie back-up. How do you know what you have until you give a guy a chance to play. That is all I was saying. I am not rehashing anything. You have 2 Goalies on the team. Let the young guy play once a week this season instead of Frenchy playing 20 games in a row and looking like garbage and then come playoff time he looks uninspired. Maybe Coach Bingham all ready has this in mind and will get Dan some time between the pipes. I am just hoping for that is all.
KOmet Fan, What has St. Pierre done in the the 6 or so past years since he's won that chapmionship. NOTHING. To borrow a line from Janet Jackson, "What have you done for me Lately". A 12-18 playoff record that's what. People said the Komets have had a championship team in each of St. Pierre's three years in Ft. Wayne and nothing yet.