The Fort Wayne Komets were bested by Jason Ralph 19 seconds into the third period, and that broke open what had been a tie game, and the Bloomington Prairie Thunder went on to defeat Fort Wayne 4-2 in the first game of a home-and-home series.
The goal came after one of Fort Wayne's players missed a defensive assignment, coach Al Sims said, allowing Ralph to just tip the puck in easily. Ralph added an empty-net goal later.
Fort Wayne had recovered from an early two-goal deficit, with Jason Sessa and Evgeny Saidachev scoring late in the second period to tie it at 2.
Sims was pleased with the effort, just not the result.
"We need more of the same (Saturday), but with a better finish," Sims said.
He said Bloomington goaltender Derek Dolsen, a former Komets player, was impressive in stopping 31 shots.
"It was just a game of missed opportunities for us," Sims said.
Before the game, the Komets signed right wing Mitch Woods, who played in juniors for Battlefords. He fought Sam Ftorek -- who looks like his father, former NHL coach Robbie, just without the sweater vest -- early in the game and Sims was pleased with his effort.
"He mixed it up, like he's supposed to," Sims said of Woods.
Meanwhile, defenseman Kevin Bertram, who had missed practice with a groin injury, was in the lineup.
The attendance at U.S. Cellular Coliseum was announced at 4,531, but it was unreal how many empty seats I could see over the B2 Networks pay-per-view feed. That was anything but a packed house.
During a second-period interview with Bob Chase on WOWO, 1190 AM, Komets general manager David Franke said there should be news soon on the impending signing of Brent Henley, a defenseman on last season's Fort Wayne team. I don't think there's anything new or newsworthy there, but I thought I'd mention it.
Watching tonight's game, it sure seems Fort Wayne and Bloomington don't like each other much already. It should be fun to see them go at it Saturday.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
this video cracked me up...has nothing to do w/ the komets but couldn't you see Bert and Legault doing this? http://www.lhspfightsrock.com/Oct-19-2007/Sugdenvsdube.htm
sure the fight wasn't that great...
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2007 at 12:03 AM
haha. def. not Andrew. ow was the Woods fight. He stand is own for being only 5-10 and fighting someone at 6-2?
Posted by: lovelost | October 27, 2007 at 12:09 AM
what are you talking about lovelost? you even see the video?
Posted by: Andrew | October 27, 2007 at 12:15 AM
That fight wasn't for real was it? I couldn't even watch the whole thing; it looked like a joke. I like the rock paper scissors though.
Posted by: justin cohn | October 27, 2007 at 12:28 AM
Love the fight video. I here the Komets may get Mike Sgori ?
Posted by: mightbite | October 27, 2007 at 06:03 AM
I heard that late in the summer, but haven't seen anything on him lately.
How bad is Hansen hurt? Wonder who's gonna be on D tonight, spreading it thin on the blue line with the injury's.
Posted by: Junior | October 27, 2007 at 08:56 AM
Yes I watched andrew. You honestly think Bertram and Legault would do something like that? If it comes to a situation where to people want to go after someone its first come first serve.
Oh and if we get Sgroi we will be one tough team.
Sgroi, Henley, Bertram, Legault, and Woods would be a good combo.
Put them all on one line and just watch them go.
Posted by: lovelost | October 27, 2007 at 10:58 AM
I say tonight is going to be a rough game. I didn't watch or listen to the game but it sounded like it was last night. Alot of roughing calls and a fight. So tonight should be even more then last night so lets hope we can get another win at home.
Posted by: lovelost | October 27, 2007 at 11:01 AM