Sorry for the delay, folks, but it took awhile to get the Florida sand and sunscreen out of my keyboard. (Sorry, I had to rub it in.) Sheesh, though, it's cold up here in Fort Wayne.
First off, thanks to columnist Ben Smith for filling in on the blog and in the newspaper while I was gone. Ben's got his own blog, titled And Another thing ..., if you liked what you read from him.
Of course, it figures, Ben gets to cover all the fun stuff while I'm gone -- the return of Pierre-Claude Drouin, a Komets team that went from mediocre to top of the league, Colin Chaulk giving the beatdown to Mike Bickley. Did we forget to mention Chaulk isn't just skilled, he's also one tough cookie?
Went out to practice today and Luciano Aquino rocketed a slapshot at me -- I'll try not to take it personally -- and it was so hard, the boards fell into the stands. Later on, he had his teammates fire slapshots from 180 feet away, and he tipped them out of the air and into the net. Yeah, he's pretty skilled, which explains the team-leading 10 goals and 16 points in 14 games.
Here's the injury update: Konstantin Shafranov is on injured reserve with an upper-respiratory infection and may play Friday when the Komets play host to Port Huron; Bobby Kukulka (shoulder contusion), Guy Dupuis (dislocated rib) and Brent Henley (knee) are all at least 10 days away from playing.
Soon, when the health returns, the Komets will have some tough decisions to make. They have 23 players, two more than they'd normally carry, and eight veterans, one more than they're allowed to use in games.
They're loving Bruce Boudreau, the former Komets coach, so far in Washington, D.C. He has the Capitals off to a 2-0-0 start since taking over for Glen Hanlon. Check this out.
Spotted this in Greg Rajan's blog from at the Corpus Christi Caller-Times:
"(A.J.) Bozoian's turnover that led to New Mexico's last goal did one thing: It had everyone in the rink thinking, WTF? If anyone could figure out what he was trying to do with the puck facing his own goalie, let us know. He rode pine the rest of the night and got multiple chewings-out from McRae on the bench."
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Wow, no love for Bozo.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | November 26, 2007 at 01:52 PM
Yeah, I thought that was pretty harsh.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 26, 2007 at 02:22 PM
That coach would love Kiyaga. =)
Welcome back Justin.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | November 26, 2007 at 02:55 PM
There goes Chaulker "gooning" it up again...geesh. Didn't Fletch teach him the enforcers code of conduct? =)
Posted by: deuce | November 26, 2007 at 03:16 PM
Welcome back Justin, it is freakin cold up here.
You missed when heck of a game on Saturday.
Posted by: Junior | November 26, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Welcome back Justin, it is freakin cold up here.
You missed one heck of a game on Saturday.
Posted by: Junior | November 26, 2007 at 03:30 PM
Whoops
Posted by: Junior | November 26, 2007 at 03:31 PM
There was a couple guys behind me going "wait til Henley gets back." I told them there is no need for Henley, Chaulk has the enforcer spot covered!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | November 26, 2007 at 03:45 PM
One has to wonder how many fights there would have been if Henley would have played...
Maybe two max.?
Posted by: Andrew | November 26, 2007 at 03:49 PM
To Jared Shaw: seats are sold for1-2-08. I sit in sec.200,thanks for asking.
Posted by: mightbite | November 26, 2007 at 04:24 PM
To everyone: The 88' Fleer Grace Auto is still up for sale...
Posted by: Hoss | November 26, 2007 at 04:30 PM
I have for sale an electronic educational game known as Speak And Spell. Made by Texas Instruments this toy will teach you or your child proper spelling and speaking skills through games and puzzles.
Posted by: Websters Dictionary | November 26, 2007 at 05:13 PM
Hey, Justin, I just got back from Ft. Lauderdale too. When I got back here on Friday night I was ready to turn around and go back when I saw snow on the ground!
Anyway, any buzz on why Kelly Perrault was at the game Saturday night....and in the locker room???
Posted by: Teresa | November 26, 2007 at 05:36 PM
I'm a smug jerk. I have low self-esteem and it makes me feel more man-like to come here and mock others for spelling errors.
Posted by: Websters Dictionary | November 26, 2007 at 06:24 PM
the caps play tonight on vs. It will be neat to see another former komet coaching behind an NHL bench. Good luck Bruce
Perrault was at the game signing autographs like many former k's do.
Posted by: Kevin | November 26, 2007 at 06:26 PM
Go teach school
Posted by: brando | November 26, 2007 at 06:56 PM
Do you think the organization will keep some guys around awhile longer or do you expect a trim down in the next 2 weeks for monetary reasons? With what we have and who has been mentioned hypothetically....whomever gets let go should get picked up within the league.
Posted by: scoops | November 26, 2007 at 07:54 PM
whut be dis skool u speek ov
Posted by: dumest sity in amerika | November 26, 2007 at 08:53 PM
Found this link for Public Access Komet game of the week. Maybe you have seen it...maybe not?
http://www.komets.com/GameOfTheWeek.htm
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | November 26, 2007 at 09:42 PM
Mightbite, after checking with the Mrs., I believe we will still be out of town. Thanks for the response though. She lets me get to plenty of games so those days are hers. Can't wait to be shoppin for Vera Bradley "ish"
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | November 26, 2007 at 10:11 PM
I have a question about the stuff they're collecting at the games for the troops. I noticed magazines and puzzle books on the list but nothing about just plain books in general. Is it OK to donate those? I have this box of books I was gonna send to the Goodwill but if I can send them to the troops I'll do that instead. I just don't want to donate something they can't use! Thanks!
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | November 27, 2007 at 11:15 AM
Thanx Hit, I haven't seen that yet. Glad they are showing the K-zoo game vs. the PH game from Thursday, that was brutal 3rd.
Posted by: Junior | November 27, 2007 at 11:59 AM
I will try to find out from the Komets, FiveMinuteMajor when I get a chance.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 27, 2007 at 01:01 PM
I did this last year with Blake and my Cub Scout pack. General books are good also. The soldiers always asked for books and magazines...decent magazines....maybe that helps ya out....
Posted by: me | November 27, 2007 at 03:18 PM
welcome home justin good to have you back
The game on Saturday was the best game ive seen in a long time!!!
Posted by: morency fan | November 27, 2007 at 06:02 PM
I've read this blog for a long time, but this is one of my first postings. I was just curious if any one else is going to K-Zoo on Dec. 8. I've got three people going with me and was wondering who else is planning to go.
Posted by: Kris | November 28, 2007 at 03:45 AM
I didn't know they were collecting stuff for the troops. Where is the collection barrel and where is the list of items to get them? I am interested- somebody please let me know.
Posted by: jonndfi | November 28, 2007 at 11:39 AM
See a few posts down for information on the donations, jonndfi. ... As for the question about books, i was told they're fine and if the soldiers don't want them, they'll find their way to another charity.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | November 28, 2007 at 11:45 AM
Komets PA, could I make a song request for this weekend?
My father wants to hear "Keep Em' Separated" by the Offspring when there is a fight, scrum, or brawl. If you would be so kind enough to play it, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Posted by: Henley67250 | November 28, 2007 at 02:17 PM
Thanks for looking into that for me, Justin!
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | November 28, 2007 at 04:28 PM
hey kris answering your question yeah me and like 6 people are going up there to see the game!
just think how awsome its going to be with the turnout of Saturdays game
i am looking forward to it!!
anyone else going?
Posted by: morency fan | November 28, 2007 at 05:52 PM
Posted by: Kris | November 29, 2007 at 03:19 AM
Morency fan, that's awesome, where are you sitting? My seats are in section 21, row 1, seats 1-4. My wife and I went to a few K-Zoo games last year and would love to meet some other fans who make the road games.
Posted by: Kris | November 29, 2007 at 03:22 AM
all i know is that we are going but we it with the twister so if you know him you will be able to hear us..lol
but yea i dont know where at
its well worth going and seeing though after the last game!!
but yea normally all the komets fans sit in one section soo we will probably be close
Posted by: morency fan | November 30, 2007 at 06:01 PM