* Through the first 23 games of this season, the Komets had scored only 48 goals and were in danger of breaking the franchise record low of 2.37 goals for set in the 2003-04 season. Over the last 29 games, they have scored 101 goals to go 19-7-3. They are currently averaging 2.87 for the season.
The biggest change during that time? The forming of the line with Colin Chaulk centering Tab Lardner and Derek Patrosso. They have combined for 30 goals over the last 25 games. Lardner has scored 17,Chaulk seven and Patrosso six.
* The Komets had to make some major acquisitions to turn the season around after a 5-15-1 start. Since Tab Lardner joined the lineup on Dec. 3, the Komets have gone 20-13-4. They are 16-7-2 since Colin Chaulk rejoined the team Jan. 7, 15-6-2 since signing Dan Lapointe on Jan. 14, and 7-4 sign adding Jon Mirasty on Feb. 9.
* Lardner has had a particularly big impact on the Komets. After being acquired in a trade with Missouri, he scored in his first game as a Komet, a 5-3 loss to Bloomington on Dec. 3. Then he went eight games without a goal, as the Komets went 2-5-2.
Since then, Lardner has been on fire with 22 goals in 30 games. Even better, the Komets have been, too, going 12-3-2 in games when he scores at least one goal. In fact, they had won the last eight games straight in which the left wing scored before losing Saturday and Sunday.
* For the first time in nine seasons, the Komets are assured they won't win at least 40 games. They've done it 11 of the past 13 seasons
