Goaltender Kevin St. Pierre broke out of a mini-slump on Friday with 29 saves during regulation and four more in a shootout, as the Komets won a critical road game at Missouri 2-1.
“Frenchy played really well and our penalty kill was a lot better tonight,'' Komets coach Greg Puhalski said. “Good for him, and he was good in the shootout.''
The win allowed the Komets to remain two points back of Motor City for sixth place in the United Hockey League's playoff standings. Motor City beat Fllint 5-0 on Friday. There are 13 games left in the regular season.
The Komets scored first as Colin Chaulk matched his career high with his 23rd goal on the power play at 5:54 of the first period. Missouri tied the score at 9:01 of the second period as J.P. Beilsten scored on a power play.
The Komets had several chances in the third period, including a two-minute stretch when Missouri goaltender Kevin Reiter was forced to play without his stick. It's the third straight game the Komets have been limited to one goal. The Komets have scored 13 goals in their last seven games.
"It's just a matter of we're not scoring, and when you're only scoring one goal a game you're putting a lot of pressure on yourself,'' Puhalski said. “It's hard to win games like that. That's just not going to cut it.''
Despite being out-shot 23-18 through two periods, the Komets came back to out-shoot the River Otters 15-7 in the third period. It's the ninth straight game Fort Wayne has out-shot its opponents.
The Komets play at Western Division leader Rockford on Saturday before hosting Missouri on Sunday.
Before the game the Komets picked up defenseman Mike Dombkiewicz off waivers from Kalamazoo and forward Josh Tataryn from Roanoke Valley. Dombkiewicz, 27, is in his second season as a pro after starting the year with Elmira and skating 27 games before being traded to Kalamazoo where he appeared in 21 games before being placed on waivers. Last year Dombkiewicz skated UHL stints with Kansas City, Richmond and Missouri and was selected to the UHL's All-Rookie Team.
Tataryn, 23, played 13 games with the Komets in 2002-03 and 2003-04 before playing two years with Port Huron and this year with Elmira and Roanoke Valley. Neither player is expected to be in the lineup on Saturday but will be available on Sunday.
“We saw Dombkiewicz in the playoffs last year with Missouri and thought he did a pretty good job for them,'' Puhalski said. “Kalamazoo was in a situation where they had a surplus of players and had to let somebody go.
“Josh has some good wheels, and he's in a similar situation. We'll give both of these guys a chance to come in and earn some ice time.''
Comments
why was franke back up tonight?
btw, slick way to mention tataryn coming without actually saying it earlier
So who sits so these two can play?
Mark Lindsay can sit as far as I'm concerned.
Glad to see the Frankes are adding bodies, I think Tatyrn will be a capable replacement for Hunter, Josh has more offensive skill than Hunter does. Domber as they call him will probably play on the 2nd power play line. These are 2 good pickup for the Komets, some fresh blood coming into the locker room, both should be good fits for the K's
Ok.
Now this may cause trouble but I actually left the broadcast of the game last night gaining some respect for Jim Duhart. You would think a guy with his reputation would be the first to pack it in on a last place team but it sounds like he is playing more minutes than anyone on the team and they are playing 10000 % better than earlier this year. With the new coach they actually are playing like they care and it doesn't sound like Duhart is doing near the amount of cheap stuff and yapping like he used to do. I understand he kind of screwed Fort Wayne a few years ago. But maybe with age has come some maturity both as a player and a person for Mr Duhart who appears to be leading by example in Missouri?
Ok.
Now this may cause trouble but I actually left the broadcast of the game last night gaining some respect for Jim Duhart. You would think a guy with his reputation would be the first to pack it in on a last place team but it sounds like he is playing more minutes than anyone on the team and they are playing 10000 % better than earlier this year. With the new coach they actually are playing like they care and it doesn't sound like Duhart is doing near the amount of cheap stuff and yapping like he used to do. I understand he kind of screwed Fort Wayne a few years ago. But maybe with age has come some maturity both as a player and a person for Mr Duhart who appears to be leading by example in Missouri?
I was looking for 4 pick ups,either through waivers, college or ATO, PTO. 2 down and maybe 2 - 4 to go. Currently watching NCAA playoffs. It will be interesting to see how things progress along.
Request to younger generation bloggers: i don't know the lingo, BTW, B4N and all that stuff. TTYL.
Heading to the freedom home opener, will keep up with the K's via text messaging -- so see i'm not totally a technologyless dweeb.
Anyone have any details on the goalie fight friday night during the port huron and muskegon game? guessing from the game sheet, muskegon made a cheap shot on hay and he didn't stand for it, but thats just a guess, anyone have details?
Here is information about the fight from the Port Huron-Muskegon game.
http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060325/SPORTS/603250326/1006
Im glad to see the ks brought in some new blood! I think these guys will help the club especially tataryn who can put the puck in the net. Now they should check around the canadien junior leagues for a energy type player to ad a little fire to the roster, they use to to that back in the 80"s towards the end of the year and it added nicely to the roster.
I couldn't stand Bob Chase's new sidekick during the Missouri game. Brosal is very hard to listen to. Bob sounded like he was ready to throw him onto the ice a couple of times. Brosal was trying to out-talk Chaser it sounded to me. Does that guy have any respect for a legend? And if I had to hear him one more time tell the listening audience how great the referring is and has been, I think I would have died. Am I the only one who noticed his act?
I wonder if the Komet's will go full circle on other players we have let go of recent. Maybe if Blake Stewart or Mike Wiggins get waived, we'll bring them back?
In all fairness I think the officiating last night was pretty good and that was the only commenting I remember hearing on that. Did he say that the officiating in general was good? I do remember he actually was critical of the linesman for not calling something quicker. Keep in mind he isn't a broadcaster and it takes alot of time for two guys to develop good timing so they don't talk over each other.
I just hope we don't have to hear him again. You may be right about last nights officials, as I just listened to the game, and didn't see it. I just know how he has at every opportunity this year, has told us that the officials are doing such a great job, which I am sure he in a way needs to say that. It just seems there have been thousands of differing opinions on the subject. Not a big deal though. Just more of a wondering out loud type of thing.
Any new developments on the Danbury Chaeters...I mean Trashers?
I didn't see it either but
Bob had said even earlier that Fish was calling a good game and I don't remember any complaints about him a week or so ago when he worked. Unfortunatly, if he continues to officiate well he won't be around long. Besides, he is a good Elkhart Indiana boy. Lol maybe we want him doing more Komet games.
courtney, Franke was back-up because Kurky has the flu.
Did I hear right that Chaulk just got a 2 for slashing, 2 for roughing, 5 for fighting, and a 10 minute misconduct? He fought Big Snake. I know Big Snake got a gamer because he was 3rd man in, but do we really want our Captain to be fighting against guys like Big Snake. I understand the circumstances on this one, we sorely miss a bigtime bruiser on this team. I would hate to lose a Chaulk to a fight with a pea-brain like Big Snake. Then, you could count our season done if that happens.
I am pissed because B2 network canceled the game due to technical difficulities. Hey Hit I like the fight the K's are showing. Lucuik goes at .28 seconds into the game. I am pissed also that the last 2 games has had 2 fights tonight and 2 last night all on the road, why can not this happen at our home ice?.
Wow, anyone listening to the Rockford game? The Komets are playing Rockford's type of game and actually dominating up through the second period. Luciuk, Chaulk, Guy are the new enforcers lol. Man, if we could see this at home.... Sounds like they are sharp shooting for Chaulk out there now. Lets go K's don't forget the last 20 min of the game! A win tonight might really be the boost they need to get out of the slump they've been in for the last few weeks.
Look out for cheap shots Komets. Rockford is running at Chaulk every chance they get. We should send Worlton out to protect him in the 3rd period, eh? Wish we could.
Where is this type of passion at the home games. Let me think, tomorrow is Sunday, right? Should be a real dog of a game. Although, I will miss tomorrows game, so they will probably play the game of the year at home. Somebody keep a body on Duhart for me. He usually kills us at home.
I hope this new "toughtness" keeps up because Rockford comes in Wed. You know it is about time Chaulk, Lucuik, Dupuis start standing up for themselves because Jorde can not fight them all. Listening to Rockford GM he talked about the value in recruiting with Rockford having agreements with Milwaukee and Nashville. The call ups serve as a great recruiting tool for them. That is why I think it just important for Ft. Wayne to have some sort of agreement. This is not to get vet's but rookies who have ability to play at next level. Rockford's roster is depleted because of call up's. Johnson is up with Mil. as is Lutz, and Robinson. Although I am happy that we are up 3-0 it is a little deceiving with all the call-up's that Rockford has.
That's that double edged sword for Rockford. They may have more talent on their team especially from the younger guys, but they always have the chance of getting some of their players called up. It's just the price they have to pay. Depends on how a team wants to run it's season. Either you get a team with border AHL players like Rockford or you take the more consistant team like Ft. Wayne. Both has its pluses and minuses.
Yes the GM did say that those players will be back for the playoff run, so they will be full strength. Their agreement is to provide players to be fillers.
The K's are taking Rockford behind the old wood shed and laying a whooping on the icehogs. Wed. meeting could be really interesting with Rockford getting embarrased on their home ice.
Chaulk has 2 fights tonight, do I dare say "Old Time" Hockey. Rockford is getting really cheap now..
6-0 K's way to go Komets keep it up! Rockford sold just over 6700 tickets tonight too. K-zoo killed Muskegon also 6-0 tonight. Hope Sunday's game can be this enertaining. I really need to see Wed's game, gotta feeling Icehogs will come out with a bit more motivation!
Thanks Jen for the link, Yet another goalie fight, two nights in a row for muskegon.
Does this mean the goalies around the league are starting to get cheap shots right around playoff time and they are not standing for it?
On the call up issue, when Rockford doesn't win the cup this year i think they will rethink the affiliations. Robinson needs to be playing and gelling with the team and playing against potential playoff foes.
Tonight's game is what I call entertainment value..6 goals, 4 fights the only thing is it was on the road. That is like 6 fights in two nights, we have not had that many in a 2 month period.
Now why does tonights game scare the heck out of me? I hope I am wrong.......
(tonight being Sunday) Lets root hard for no let down. They haven't exactly ran away from Missouri the last 2 times they have played.