Fort Wayne Komets coach Al Sims informed four players they had been cut, just minutes after his team's 7-4 loss to the Kalamazoo Wings on Saturday night. The players were defensemen Clay Lewis and Randy Upshall, goaltender Shawn Monette and center Dustin Hughes.
There will probably be about two more players cut before the regular-season opener Saturday against the visiting Port Huron Icehawks.
None of the cuts were surprising. Lewis had seven penalty minutes in two preseason games. Upshall was minus-3 in two games. Monette allowed four goals on 14 shots in 29:30 of work. Hughes was minus-3 in one game. None of them scored a point.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
I am dissapointed in Upshall. I have heard good thin gs about him and he didn't do much. I was told from a guy who watched him last year that said he was a very gritty player and played hard every night. I did not see that in the game wed. Sad to see that.
Posted by: lovelost | October 13, 2007 at 11:21 PM
Minus-3 rating when your team has scored nine and allowed nine in two games doesn't bode well.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | October 13, 2007 at 11:24 PM
I know this. But I heard good things and he didnt show that,
Posted by: lovelost | October 13, 2007 at 11:26 PM
Officials in both preseason games did a fairly well job i thought. Wanted to throw that out there b/c of all the crap we give em through-out the season.
Looking forward to regular season for the K's. They look pretty good, and im sure we are in for some fun times this year..
Go Komets!
Posted by: komets123 | October 13, 2007 at 11:55 PM
i think that the refs did a great job and let Legault and whoever he fought go at the end of the 2nd period. That fight solved the problem, and they didn't do anything else the rest of the game. The score was settled between the 2..good job on the officials in that regard..
I hope they shore up the defense
Posted by: Mark | October 14, 2007 at 12:20 AM
I don't know, I liked Hughes and Lewis. I didn't like Jaworski tonight. He kept giving the puck away. He was a -4 tonight. Also I am not sold on Durdin. He lost the puck that gave up a 2-0 breakaway. I feel he plays with the puck to much. Warner looked better on wing the def. I also think Shaf has to go. I think he looks slow and weak. Just my observations. I could be wrong.
Posted by: wingmnn | October 14, 2007 at 12:37 AM
I thought that the first period was slow, the pace certainly did pick up after the first. I think that the Aquino-Chaulk-Sessa line is money in the bank when they step on the ice. I have to give Warner some major props, as he looked great on the wing. Shafranov looked like he couldn't take a hit as he was pushed around in all three zones. Hanna was either left out to dry or had no chance on the goals that he let in, sans maybe 1. Couldn't really tell you who the last 2 cuts could or should be.
Posted by: Iceman2415 | October 14, 2007 at 12:49 AM
I agree wingmnn. Shafranov has not played 40+ games since he played here last. Plus he is 39 and not to get on peoples age because Dupuis still does amazing but he just doesnt have much there. No speed or toughness at all. I don't think he can do much for us but his knowledge of the game. He could impress me once we get going here. Hughes I didn't care for and Lewis I thought did a good job Wed. I hope we got our lines straight so thier is not so much confusion. We are getting beat so far this season and I hope its because of that and figuring out who can play. I still think we need one more guy to be here for toughness. We are still lacking it. I think if we just bring in one more hard hitter we should be good. It seemd like alot of the players lazy around at times. Everyone just needs to play hard everynight and noone could stop us.
GO KOMETS!
Posted by: lovelost | October 14, 2007 at 12:50 AM
I say the cuts will be Curadeau and Saidachev will be gone. I dont know what to think of Sirokov. He played really well on Wed. and I didnt see anything in him tonight. But I think him and Durdin are a better pair. Something I have noticed about Hanna is that he plays to far out of the net and I think like 4 of the goals went behind his back. With Reiter he is just too dang small. I just wish he had some more size.
Posted by: lovelost | October 14, 2007 at 12:56 AM
Since I won't be able to see a Komets game until vacation time in December, I'll have to pop in and ask a few questions here and there. I guess the biggest question is what happened to cause Hanna to save only 5 of 11? I understand that the defense isn't there on the team, but that can't be all. This goalie situation makes me a little weary. I guess we'll see what happens after a week of practice. Also, does anyone remember what lines they went with on Saturday or did they just rotate? Thanks.
Posted by: dnl | October 14, 2007 at 12:32 PM
The defense was really really bad last night. A couple of veteran players really stunk up the joint last night when it came to team defense. I won't mention names.
Goalie situation is ok at best as our #1 goes. After that, I too am alot worried. Our "D" must play awesome for our goalie to have a chance. I don't think we have a goalie who can dominate a game out there like we have had in the past.
Where is the Physical Play from the team in orange and black? I know it is pre-season, but no one is checking or taking the body at all. Very disappointed in that to say the least. We might be pushed around by everyone in the league if this continues. Physical play does not mean fighting. I mean playing the body.
Lots of question marks out there this year. Who is our energy guy that hustles and hits everything like a Pascal or Danny Stewart or Kelly Miller? I don't see one possible candidate out there at all.
I do like Chaulk, Acquino, and Sessa together. Marchant still must put the effort out every shift for me to say he is good. He is lazy.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 14, 2007 at 01:00 PM
I agree with everyone that the first line is the best thing we have going right now. I bet we find a goalie somewhere, the D will play better whith more time, and I thought we had some OK hitting (for a Pre-Season game) with two open ice hits in the second.
I was very impressed with Bickly, from K-Zoo. He was all over the place, scored, and I think will take the place of the guy you love to hate.
Posted by: Hoss | October 14, 2007 at 03:42 PM
I was surprised of the lack of urgency in some players last night. I didn't see too many guys laying it on the line last night fighting for a spot on the team. I was expecting to see intensity last night....and I sure didn't see it from the K's. K-zoo was beating us to loose pucks and definitely were out hitting us by a large margin. I hope the hustle and grit picks up. K-zoo looked like they were out there to play, I am not sure our guys were ready for the challenge. It was preseason. I know that. But 2 teams played last night, one played hard by hustling and hitting, the other didn't. You figure it out.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 14, 2007 at 04:35 PM
I'm going to guess the Komets were "the other team?"
Posted by: Hoss | October 14, 2007 at 04:37 PM
Couldn't agree more with ya Hit.
The first game was much better then last night.
Posted by: Junior | October 14, 2007 at 05:32 PM
It's preseason. Lets remember these guys haven't exactly been working together for months on end. The outcome of the games doesn't mean anything. For guys who are a lock to make the squad your proabably not going to see an all out effort for a practice game in front of 2000 people, if that. The game is not the same as it is during the season. The atmosphere in which these guys will play in is not the same either.
There will be plenty of time to bash and trash the team when they don't play well here real soon.
Posted by: scoops | October 14, 2007 at 07:25 PM
Scoops? Not bashing or trashing.
Explain why one of the 2 teams played hard, hustled, made body check after body check, and looked like they were trying to prove to their new coach they want to play for the team.....and the other team didn't.
Explain that instead of giving us the usual "bash and trash" comment. I don't care if they played in front of 2 people in practice. Isn't it hard play and desire at this point of the season that a coach is looking for? Gotta love a team that "knows they don't have to play hard" because they made the team. Is that the type of guys you like to cheer for? I would bet Coach Sims was less than impressed with several of the efforts and performances last night.
Is it possible to just once say that guys gave a poor effort instead of making excuses for them? Isn't the point of pre-season to work your tail off, get in shape, show the coach what you are made of, and build a strong team? I would bet most coaches would have cut 50% of that team last night just because of the effort.
Had Kalamazoo been working together for months? Is that why they busted their tails and out-hustled and out hit us last night? What was their excuse for playing better than the Komets? 3 preseason games to prove yourself to a new coach that you are worthy to be on the team should fire up even those who are supposed to be sure "locks" I would think.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | October 14, 2007 at 07:42 PM
I think in preseason these guys need to use there body and make checks and play 200%. We had like 13 rookies, they need to show what they got and play as hard as they can. We really did not see that much.
Posted by: lovelost | October 14, 2007 at 08:08 PM
This is not and will not be a "physical" hockey club, not Sims cup of tea anymmore. More concern with playing a system. We don't have guys that are going to bang night in and night out. And please spare me what may be out there still, if they have not signed them by now they are going to play a wait and see what happens over the next month. If things are not going the way they want them to go, then the quote will be "we are going to bring in a couple of guys to see what they bring to the team."
Posted by: David | October 14, 2007 at 09:23 PM
Couldn't agree more, after looking at all the other games on pointstreak this team is not going to be the example that IHL is trying to set
Posted by: Andrew | October 14, 2007 at 09:34 PM
I know its been mentioned that the Komets are talking to 2 players over in Europe that are thinking about coming back home and a goalie also. Justin has there been any progess involving those players and any chance they get signed before the home opener? Thanks in advance.
I am glad to see the Komets put out an offer to Brent Henley. I think its a priority they find a way to get him signed quickly especially since teams in 2 other leagues are after him also. I think we have a lot of offensive minded defensemen and it would be nice to have another steady stay at home player along with the obvious toughness he brings to the table.
I think if we had Henley along Legault and Bertram the Komets should be pretty tough.
Posted by: K.M. | October 14, 2007 at 11:50 PM
I've got to agree with Hit, he said exactly what i'm thinking about this years team so far. It's just sad that so many fans have to always give the benefit of the doubt despite what their own eyes are telling them. Enjoy the koolaid, kids.
Posted by: Brandon | October 15, 2007 at 12:04 AM
on hockeyfights.com on the Phoenix Roadrunners page it sas they signed Brent Henley. But I can't find it anywhere else.
Posted by: lovelost | October 15, 2007 at 12:13 AM
nevermind the Henley thing. It was dated Oct. 13 2006. My bad.
Posted by: lovelost | October 15, 2007 at 01:06 AM
hopefully the deal with Henley will come through for us. IMO that would solidify our toughness. will give us 3 legit heavy weights.
Assuming our defense tightens up with a system, i think all we "may" be missing is an energy guy. Someone up front who can throw the body a bit, and get under the skin of the opponent..
We are not far off at all IMO.. Maybe 1 or 2 guys away. because it is sooooo close to being there it is difficult to tweek the team any perhaps. I mean if we brought in 2 more "energy" guys then we have the tough decision on who to let go to make room.. Perhaps the "wait and see" approach helps to make that decision a little clearer.
Posted by: komets123 | October 15, 2007 at 11:44 AM
I was not impressed overall with Saturday nights game. Have to wait and see what happens when it really counts.
Some much for the refs calling things differently as well. I didn;t notice any difference in the way Gallagher called that game as opposed to any other and know a couple of time he could have called a dive and didn't. I'll have to wait and see who the otherofficials are but Gallagher didn't change much.
Posted by: Greg | October 15, 2007 at 12:09 PM
I thoguht Gallagher let them play, which is a far cry different from last year. Last year we complained about way too many calls. And if i remember correctly it was absolutly insane at times last year.
In my eyes the calls were much easier to live with in this preseason compaired to last years.
Posted by: komets123 | October 15, 2007 at 12:32 PM
Let's just say my interpertioan of how calls were to be made wasn't happening. The league said the neutral zone would be called very strictly and a lot was let go and there would be more lenience given in the attacking zone and I though some ticky tack calls were made. Also, there were to me obvious instances where diving could have been and should been called. Also, (since the Legault fight to place right in front of me) me and 4 other people didn;t see Legault's jersey being tied down and don't know why he didn't get the game becasue of it. I'm pretty sure that's why Curran was having a fit at the end as well.
Posted by: Greg | October 15, 2007 at 01:08 PM
Same old crap, different league name.
Were you surprised? I sure wasn't.
Whoever said Kool Aid, you are right not the money.
Posted by: Disgruntled Fan | October 15, 2007 at 04:11 PM
SOOOO I see my suggestion last year that Fort Wayne would be a great place for Roller Derby has been realized. And of all things it is the women! So how many of you guys have got your tickets for what promises to be a rough/tough evening??
Posted by: Tony E | October 15, 2007 at 07:00 PM
I hope Franke and Sims are keeping an eye on the Elmira situation. They have already released quite a few good players since they really over recruited.
With Syroczynski and Chwedoruk getting released I think the Komets should seriously look into both players. Syro is young and has the makings of a nice power forward along with being a 20 goal player and Chwedoruk is very fast and adding another 70 point scorer can only help. They are both tweener also.
The Henley situation is making me nervous, man I hope they can make it work. He would really round out our defense nicely and give us the toughest player in the IHL too!
Posted by: K.M. | October 15, 2007 at 07:18 PM
Oh and if the rumors are true about Trembley being available. I would go after him too! He is a rookie defensemen and if all the reports we heard all summer are true that the Komets were after these 3 players...get em now!
Posted by: K.M. | October 15, 2007 at 07:40 PM
I was just re-reading this thread and it came to that I think a couple of people think these cuts will be a surprise. I was talking to our friends at the game (yes, I actually have some) and we discussed who we thought would stay. (Actually I asked since they saw both pre-season games) All the guys that were cut didn't play in the second home game and the thinking was they were safe and the players playing Sat. night had a second chance to impress Sims. That's where the surprise will probably come in. Of course if Chwedoruk and Syro come in then others gone.
Posted by: Greg | October 16, 2007 at 11:38 AM