I don't recall ever seeing a coach get tossed from the game for nothing more than verbal abuse. Throwing sticks, water bottles or dry-erase boards, sure, but not just yapping.
Apparently, that's all Kalamazoo coach Brian Curran did to get tossed from the Komets' 5-2 victory over the Wings on Saturday night. Anyone who's seen "Bull Durham" can probably guess what he said, but I was a mile away in the press box so that's just a theory. Regardless, I think Curran should have gotten a little more bang for his getting tossed out. Rip the mascot's tongue out, swat him in the beak, or something.
I hate to write it, but the Wings looked better once their coach was sent off, outshooting the Komets 13-4 in the third period of a snoozer. I thought about going down to coach the third, but I figured Ed Campbell would be the only one who'd even given me the time of day, and of that I'm not even sure.
With these teams playing back-to-back games, on back-to-back days, in the same building, I'd hoped for a little more drama. It wasn't happening. The Wings, by the way, aren't spending the night in Fort Wayne. (Owners sure are taking advantage of that easier travel this season, eh?)
Luciano Aquino and Konstantin Shafranov both had two goals for the Komets. Aquino scored 38 seconds apart in the first period, after serving 12 minutes of penalties for high-sticking and then complaining about it to referee Brett Klosowski.
P.C. Drouin continued his torrid pace, too, with three assists.
Not much else to say about this one, except Evgeny Saidachev looked a little rusty but fairly solid after sitting out 16 games with a strained knee ligament. I'm setting the over-under on penalty minutes for Sunday at 35, so bring your pillows.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
I will take the over. Woodsy and Willis will go at least once.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 05, 2008 at 11:19 PM
I almost forgot, Larry you deserve a raise for bringing the biggest laugh to us fans "in the know" with the theam song to 'The Price is Right' for Soupy!!!
Way to go LARRY!!!!
Posted by: Hoss | January 05, 2008 at 11:38 PM
Haha, I am sad I didn't get to enjoy ripping him after hearing that!!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 05, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Reiter was very good in net tonight. I remember stating this was the first night I don't remember him going miles away from his net at very poor times during games. He still played his angles (re:chuckitt comments) but he played them without allowing tons of space for people to shoot/pass by him. He also seemed to actually control his rebounds more and take face offs more instead of risking some poor rebounds. 1st games all season I didn't make a bad comment about his play. I loved Kevin when he played in Missouri and was stoked when we signed him but until tonight I never saw that Kevin from Missouri...he was every where the puck was and that is how it should be.
Posted by: Tom | January 06, 2008 at 12:42 AM
What was up with the Kzoo guys whining all night on the faceoffs??? It was kind of funny
Posted by: JW | January 06, 2008 at 02:20 AM
JW. Those Kzoo guys were trying to recreate you when you ground out to me a 2nd!!!! If you are the same JW that plays softball!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 06, 2008 at 03:07 AM
Softball? I only respond to challenges about wiffleball, a real sport
Posted by: JW | January 06, 2008 at 03:15 AM
Only real athletes play wiffleball. I guess we couldn't challenge Justin or the rest of the bloggers to a solid game of the yellow bat!!! It's a shame!!! :)
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 06, 2008 at 03:21 AM
Bring your best 4 players Justin.
Posted by: JW | January 06, 2008 at 03:25 AM
Ouch!!! Will the challenge be accepted!!! Slow pitch wiffle action. Bloggers vs. JG. I see a charity event on the table!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 06, 2008 at 03:29 AM
It will be over 35. Way over.
Posted by: Canuck | January 06, 2008 at 04:40 AM
Jerad
I was getting under the skin of Campbell for you but he kept saying he just wanted to play PLINKO.
I offered to fill in as coach for a Pepsi and small popcorn but they didn’t go for it. I promised that I would bench Crylander and drop the F bomb but I think that was the deal breaker, they stuck with coach Bootland.
Posted by: Rich | January 06, 2008 at 09:03 AM
HAHA Rich, you make me proud!!! I think I am heading to the game with my dad today hopefully. He already warned me that I can't do any of my antics!! It's the least I can do for the guy that got me into Komet Hockey in the first place! Hope it's an exciting game, cause he hasn't been to one since I have been 14.
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 06, 2008 at 10:30 AM
yeah nice larry...no one caught that. I started laughing then everyone thought it was clever
Posted by: Andrew | January 06, 2008 at 02:09 PM
How does there coach get tossed out of a game for hardly doing nothing then you look at how Bruce Ramsey acts during a game and he doesn't get a minute at all? I am curious as to if Ramsey acts like he does everywhere or just when he comes to Fort Wayne.
Posted by: Rick | January 06, 2008 at 02:59 PM
QUESTIONS: I was checking on Pascal's stats and saw that he has only played 10 games this season. Does anyone know what his status is? It would be a shame to see him sitting.
I had heard that Michel Robinson (Rockfords old Goalie) was available during our time of need. He just signed with a CHL team. Wonder why we didn't snag him??? He is a very good goalie. (Money or a crowded house?).
Posted by: The Fan | January 06, 2008 at 03:21 PM
I could see Aquino getting moved up to Bridgeport and Pascal getting moved to Utah...
Posted by: Andrew | January 06, 2008 at 03:33 PM
Pascal is on the IR for a hand injury during a fight.
Posted by: Ryan | January 06, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Aquino is going nowhere! He is going to stay here all year and then in the off season he may move up or on, but not now.
Posted by: Hoss | January 06, 2008 at 03:41 PM
Thanks Ryan.
Posted by: The Fan | January 06, 2008 at 03:59 PM
Justin,
I completely disagree that this game was snoozer. I might buy the third period, but not the first two. The pace was great for the new IHL and wasn't as awkward or choppy looking as many of the home games have looked this year. The teams were up and down, and though I would like to see more hitting, the hustle and speed was there...and I was impressed.
I like a rough and tumble game, but this game for two periods was up and down with lots of great skating. Not the slow motion pace that we usually see especially the last few years of the UHL.
Posted by: Bruiser | January 06, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Way to go Terry! 4 point night. Way to go. It seams like both him and Shaft have both finally playing to their level. Good job tonight guys lets keep the first place lead!
Posted by: Andy | January 06, 2008 at 07:40 PM
i didnt get to go to the game tonight i herd it was a pretty good game! cant wait for the weekend now and this one isnt even over haha!!
Go KoMeTs!!!
Posted by: morency fan | January 06, 2008 at 08:29 PM
There is a reason Aquino was assigned to Fort Wayne and not Utah. Aquino isn't going anywhere.
Posted by: Mark | January 06, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Rick
To answer you question about Ramsey....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AR6Au2G5Srk
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | January 06, 2008 at 08:56 PM
Great video. I forgot about that!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 06, 2008 at 09:06 PM