The Fort Wayne Komets are inching closer to something they've never done in 57 years, win three-straight regular-season championships. The Komets rallied from a two-goal deficit with four goals in the third period Friday night to win at Bloomington 6-4. That win gives the Komets 98 points on the season and knocks their magic number for clinching the Huber Trophy to five points. The Komets lead Port Huron by five points with four games remaining for Fort Wayne and five for the IceHawks, who make up the game in hand on Sunday against Muskegon. Before that, the Lumberjacks come to Fort Wayne tonight and the IceHawks host Flint.
Last night's win was also the Komets' 25th road victory of the season, tying the franchise mark set in 2003-04. The Komets have one more road game remaining, Friday at Kalamazoo.
The Komets didn't play their best game against Bloomington, but still won their eighth game in a row overall, their eighth in a row on the road and their unbeaten streak was stretched to 14-0-1 over their last 15 games. The Komets have try to stretch their home winning streak to six games tonight.
"It was just our effort in the third period," Komets coach Al Sims said. "It was the biggest period of the year for us, and we resonded. It's a game you have to win. These teams come to play against us. They are loose and carefree, and it's a tough game as Muskegon found out in Flint."
David Hukalo, Mathieu Curadeau and P.C. Drouin each scored two goals apiece against Bloomington goaltender Jason Wolfe as the Komets out-shot the PrairieThunder 38-24. Nick Boucher made 20 saves to improve his recent record to 12-0-1 and win his 30th game of the season. Hukalo set his career-best with his 21st and 22nd goals of the season, as did Drouin with his 30th and 31st and Curadeau with his 33rd and 34th.
"We gave an extra effort and found a way to get it done," Sims said. "Guys believe in themselves and showed a lot of character by coming back."
