This was as bad as I've seen the Komets play defense since their 5-11-2 start, but they still had a chance to win the game. They were up 4-3 and Robinson was fighting the puck like it was a swarm of bees, but they started settling for long-distance shots.
The line of Big Snake, Johnson and Tifu pretty much dominated, but not so much because of the physical stuff, but by playing smart, positional hockey. They also let the Komets back in the game with some of their bone-headed penalties, including a Big Snake diving call that got booed even by the French judge.
The Komets might have missed Neumeier more than Chaulk tonight because they couldn't get settled down on defense for anything after he left. Rookie Mark Lindsay might have been the Komets' best blue-liner tonight.
Guinn pounded on Johnson, largely because he got him so tied up Johnson couldn't do anything. It was overwhelming. Galbraith's fight with Jens was a little more even.
John Searle did a great job tonight calling the game. He let them play, but he stepped in when he needed to maintain control.
The Komets had a hard time adjusting to the shallow corners in Rockford on their dump ins.
The Komets tried Jamie Milam on the point of the power play and that's how they got burned for one of the short-handed goals. He didn't know what to do when he gave up the puck and the guy took off.
The Komets needed him on the point because they had P.C. Drouin playing Chaulk's role on the power play along the half-wall.
I still think the Komets are going to win the series in seven. Frenchy will out-play Robinson who looked very, very shaky.
The Komets hit three posts and had a third goal by Goodwin disallowed because the whistle had blown a half-second earlier. Goodwin hit two of the posts and could very easily have had five goals.
Four of Rockford's first five goals were scored by rookies.
There were 38 shots in the first period and no one expected that. Expect less than 19 in the first period by both teams on Sunday.
The Komets were almost too fired up early. They were jumpy and were looking for a fight, and it cost them on Guinn's instigation penalty and Galbraith's misconduct penalty. They figured they'd hit first, but it cost them.
Because of the way the benches are in Rockford, back-up goaltender Kevin Kurk has to sit in the penalty box. That's not as bad as Quad City where the back-up goaltender has to essentially sit in the crowd.
You read it here first: Jamie Milam is going to score a hat trick at some point in the series.
Good night, it's been an awfully long day. There is no good way to get to Rockford but it's a great place to watch a game.
Oh, No, I haven't heard anything on Brian Reith, but I've been thinking that I need to check up on he and Dave Doster both sometime soon.
