Warner, Marchant lead K's in victory

Brandon Warner is obviously a quick healer. He sat out only three games with a separated shoulder, before begging his way back into the lineup. He had a goal and an assist Sunday, his third game back, as Fort Wayne defeated the Kalamazoo Wings 4-2.

According to Fort Wayne coach Al Sims, Warner has the second-hardest shot on the team behind P.C. Drouin. That was obvious as Warner, the Huntertown native, rocketed shots from the point during the power play.

Also standing out was forward Terry Marchant, who had a goal and three assists and has really come on lately.

I had set the over/under in penalty minutes for this game at 35. There were 42, so I expect apologies from those of you who thought I was off my rocker in predicting another game of pleasantries, even with these teams playing back-to-back days in the same arena.

Seriously, I've seen more heated episodes of "The Backyardigans." Are we ever going to get a real rivalry in these parts? Every time I think we've got one, it fizzles.

• For those of you wondering if Luciano Aquino will be called up, don't fret. Sources have said there was essentially a gentleman's agreement between Bridgeport of the American Hockey League and the Komets that they wouldn't call him up. "Don't you think they would have already?" one person told me. An NHL organization could conceivably trade for him, however, but that's unlikely.
• I'm still stunned by referee Kevin Graber's call of a double-minor for Maxsim Shirokov in the second period, for "butt-ending" a guy with all the force of a Kleenex in the wind. One penalty was a pointless call; a double minor was laughable. But this is the same league that saw Wings coach Brian Curran get tossed from Saturday's game for, I've been told, yelling at the referee after one whistle and then sarcastically clapping after another. So what do you expect?
• I'm not trying to incite anything here, but the word around Komets camp is that some players aren't happy with Muskegon's Justin Rohr being given only a one-game suspension for his hit on Kevin Hansen. (Rohr served that when the teams met Friday.) Those teams meet again this Friday at the Coliseum.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Comments

[IcyKometsFan84]

you can bet buckos thats why king kong henley is coming back to put a lickin you rohr...
HAHA that was fun but seriously i cant wait to see henley back

Way To Go Komets!!!

[Nathan]

The one-game suspension for Rohr was a JOKE!

I would consider Rohr to be smart if he was "injured" and missed the game at the Coliseum on Friday. There might be some head-hunting if he shows up. And, BTW, his juniors record does show that he has a "history" of this sort of thing. Check out his bio on his page of Musekgon's web site. http://www.furyhockey.com/team/player.cfm?player=79

At 5',7" and 176 pounds, the only fair fight would be with Woods. Legault or Bertram going after him, could get really ugly.

[Nathan]

The one-game suspension for Rohr was a JOKE!

I would consider Rohr to be smart if he was "injured" and missed the game at the Coliseum on Friday. There might be some head-hunting if he shows up. And, BTW, his juniors record does show that he has a "history" of this sort of thing. Check out his bio on his page of Musekgon's web site. http://www.furyhockey.com/team/player.cfm?player=79

At 5',7" and 176 pounds, the only fair fight would be with Woods. Legault or Bertram going after him, could get really ugly.

[Justin Cohn]

You can't tell anything from those numbers. And remember, that was Terry Ficorrelli-written, so it was probably embellished text to the extreme.

[Hoss]

Is he 5'7" with his skates on or off????

Larry better get the clip about Mini-Me ready for the game, is he shows-up! (Rohr, not Larry)

[Hoss]

sorry, should say "if he shows up"

[Nathan]

You're probably right about the embellishment on the bio. It will be interesting to see what happens on Friday, though.

[Dennis]

I must admit the "Butt-Ending" call could be my fault! As the official score keeper I ask the referee what the sign for "Butt-Ending" was before the came. I had advised him that all of the penalties in the rule book show the signal for the call but "Butt-Ending" He showed me the sign for the call and I am afraid I woke him up. As a Komet fan I assure you I will never ask the ref before the game again. I am convienced it is the only reason he made that call.

[Brandon]

Rohr MIGHT be 5'7 on skates. I saw him after a game before and even I was taller then he is..those who know me know that's quite the feat!

[Henley67250]

David Segal will be playing again Friday. Any bets he goes at it with Brent?

[scoops]

Thanks to the Komets for a 6-2 record in the last 11 days. Quite an accomplishment. Lets ride this momentum into next week.

Thanks Graber for like 20 minutes of even strength hockey tonight. Does wonders for the flow of the game.

[Canuck]

Warner does look like he has a hard shot from the point.

I wonder if Saidachev's injury is still bothering him or it's just conditioning? He looks a step slower than before he went out. It looked like tonight a couple of times he got lead with a pass to far out in front of him as if they were expecting him to be faster.

Man - Terry Marchant was slow on that breakaway tonight. Whew. Thought I was watching the game in slow motion there for a few seconds.

[Iceboi]

Obviously I couldn't hear what was being said on the ice, but I think the K-Wings coach deserved to be thrown out just from what I observed sitting in lower 208. He kept throwing tantrums and it seriously looked like he was off his medication or something. Me and a friend were joking about it because he seriously looked crazy. I think what got him is that the ref gave him a 2 minute penalty and he didn't quit. I thought the game Saturday night was fun, despite some previous posts others have made.

[Ricky Otter]

I noticed the same about Marchant about being fast until I noticed that his normal shift had been over and he was not able to get off of the ice. Marchant was actually out with Chaulk and Woods and he was completing basically a second shift. He just had not gas left in him. Therefore, I wouldn't blame for being slow. He has looked better since he has come back from a back injury.

[Ricky Otter]

I noticed the same about Marchant about being fast until I noticed that his normal shift had been over and he was not able to get off of the ice. Marchant was actually out with Chaulk and Woods and he was completing basically a second shift. He just had not gas left in him. Therefore, I wouldn't blame for being slow. He has looked better since he has come back from a back injury.

[jonndfi]

I attended both games this weekend and was hoping for a hard hitting, intense game. Instead I got a snoozer- Kalamazoo played with no effort or heart. Reiter looked sweet in goal this weekend. I hope "New Komet Fan" took notice. Shapranov and Marchant looked good. If Chaulk isn't MVP of the league, I don't know who is. He hustles and plays every shift. He is a level above everyone in the league.

[New Komet Fan]

Leave it to my "buddy" Jonndfi to throw me under the bus. I'm not buying you anymore Diet Pepsi. I've never lost faith in Reiter, just as a new fan questioned some of his techniques. I too thought Reiter looked really good this weekend. Was hoping for a couple of shutouts but I think the guys got a little tired at the end of both games.

[Hoss]

Reiter did look good this weekend because he stayed in net and the D stepped up and cleared the puck out so there were no second chance shots. Like I have said, he is a good goalie that needs a good D in front of him to help be a great team. Great run for the Komets this past 11 days!

[jonndfi]

Hey Hoss- make sure "New Komet Fan" hears you! Sometimes he is a little slow. So much for him backtracking on his original post. Reiter for PRESIDENT.

[Booyah]

I also noticed at last nights game that New Komet Fan throws a football like a girl. HAHA

[jonndfi]

Reminds me of a Tennessee quaterback but don't get me started on that topic.

[kometfan]

Saturday nights game was amazing..i think the komets came out on a mission and sunday night wow...did it really show that they had played 7 games in 10 nights...this weeks break is well deserving....now everyone don't get ur hopes up yet about henley returning!! to say the least i think we should send shirokov after Rohr..he seems like he wants to throw some!! haha..

[mightbite]

Where can I find the LEGUALT fight last friday ? BOB SANDERS NFL player of the year!! Komets need a couple of BOB SANDERS to hit some of those bucko's like little willis!!!

[Jerad Shaw]

Mightbite, I haven't seen anywhere that has it. I wonder if Mr. Sproat has it on film. It was def. a fun one.

[booyah]

I saw the fight on youtube. search for kovalcik and i believe it is the second listed

[mightbite]

Thanks that was a great-one !!! All fight fans will love this one!!!

[Jerad Shaw]

Reiter is Goalie of the week.

[IcyKometsFan84]

Here is the Double KO fight from Friday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LseSVxuXyo8

[Andy]

That was a sweet fight!

I just went through the online rule book and I could not find any rules on rookies or veterans. Can anyone clarify me on these rulings.

Such as how many games played is considered being a rookie/veteran, and how many rookies are needed on a team.

[Lee Davfidson]

For those of you wondering if Luciano Aquino will be called up, don't fret. Sources have said there was essentially a gentleman's agreement between Bridgeport of the American Hockey League and the Komets that they wouldn't call him up. "Don't you think they would have already?" one person told me. An NHL organization could conceivably trade for him, however, but that's unlikely.

This paragraph is why some players decline coming to FW...if you can't move up why play at FW and the IHL...have a hard time believing the Islanders would agree to this, if they did they must not want him anyway...only a thought...

[FiveMinuteMajor]

Reiter deserves Goalie of the Week! I was really surprised he played all three games this weekend.
I'm glad to see Warner back in the lineup, he's turned out to be a darn good defenseman! I'd say he's the early favorite for the Most Improved award.

[JW]

Great fight!!! thanks for posting it. They were both pretty wobbly after those nice exchanges.

And good job to Reiter

[Hoss]

Lee,

Aquino is in his last year of his contract with the NYI. and they do not want him. That was the story comming into the year and why he "got stuck" playing in Ft Wayne. He is going nowhere and we should all be happy and jumpping for joy for this!!!

[Andrew]

I don't know how many people know this but according to a hockey website Aquino made half a mil last year

[Brandon]

Aquino is paid $400,000/year by the Islanders

[Lee Davidson]

Hoss-

Went to an AHL game in Rockford, they have 7 players up with the Blackhawks and 5 on the roster now who have been up, same with the Chicago Wolves (with Atlanta)...that was good hockey...3 levels at least better than the IHL. The nice part these guys play hard because they can get the call-up. The IceHogs-Wolves game was a great game.

[Hoss]

Lee,
I'm glad you got a chance to see an AHL game. I hope you enjoyed your trip, but what does that have to do with Aquino's contract and him staying in the Fort? I was answering your question about Aquino leaving/getting called up.

[Jerad Shaw]

Hoss, I believe me was just making a broad statement. He wansn't directing his comments towards you.

[is this an AHL blog?]

Lee -

Why don't you just stick with AHL games and find an AHL blog? Seems like you don't like the Komets and don't like the IHL. If you want to change hockey in Fort Wayne, then get a group together and buy the team. Then you can do whatever you want to with the franchise's players, league, and affiliations. Until then, you're just whining in the wind. There's nothing wrong with other fans accepting what we have and enjoying Komet Hockey. The same player (Aquino) who you reference has publicly stated his preference for Fort Wayne and the IHL (to the press no less) over the AHL situations that he was in the last 2 seasons. Sort of breaks your argument down, in my opinion. Have a nice day.

[Lee Davidson]

is this an AHL blog? -

my point is, players wanting to improve themselves at this level need to have a goal of moving up to the next level. The IHL web site issues statements when a player moves up, not when a player says oh boy the IHL for me.

No doubt FW is a great "minor League" hockey town, but the goal for most of the players I've been around is to make it to the next level.

you need to go to an AHL game, believe me there is a difference in quality of play.

[Greg]

And yet if you can come in and have a good season things might just happen. Syrozynski got a look in Binghamton, and look at some of the young players this year, Curadeau, Saidachev, Reynolds. Come on, the Komets are loaded with good young talent. And as far as Aquino. If he can finish the year strong, I fully expect him to get looked at by other NHL teams and get a shot at the AHL.

[Lee Davidson]

Greg-

Good comments, but how many times during the season does a Komet get called up? Letting players move up and down is all a part of minor league hockey, how many good players do the K's lose because of this.

Can we bring back the days of Eddie Long and Len Thornson, those were the days.

[Greg]

I guess I'm sure what you're getting at with this last comment Lee. Do you want to see an AHL team or do you want the Komets affiliated with an AHL team?

I for one have no problem with how the Frankes/Sims/whomever is the coach recruits players. They are making sure that the players are committed to playing in Fort Wayne and trying to put the best team on the ice. I honestly don't think the Frankes would get in the way of any playerwho would have a shot at a higher level, but that's me.

[jonndfi]

I would like to add to the argument- I didn't get a scoop at the last game and am mad as heck for that. Who can I call?

[Burgee]

Depends on the game, i watched a bunch of millionaires play Wild vs Flyers (NHL)and the game stunk. Because the game stunk and i wasn't entertained i felt i overpaid for the $125 ticket i had to get from a broker, Parking $35.........point is, someone saw a good Rockford game for probably a lot less money than my NHL game which stunk. For my $$ i'm sticking with the K's, we win, We get to watch the same group of guys win.....and on and on and on....

[TGP]

I agree with the comments that the Saturday game was indeed a good one. For those there and for those that can get past the no fights etc, the game was played with about as good a tempo as can be shown by this league I feel. I make no bones about the fact that I hated the UHL and its slow motion style and lack on intensity on most nights. The IHL games I have attended this year have had a similar flow, but not Saturday's. That was good up and down hockey for two period for sure...and yes I wish the hitting was there...but the tempo and intensity and the passing were good. For the first time in a long time, I was lost in the game and not annoyed by watching a subpar product.

[The Fan]

The AHL or CHL would be a great reward for the fans here in Ft. Wayne. We definately have a very strong market for Hockey. I believe that our attendance was the 5th highest out of ALL minor league hockey last year. I would love for the team to be in a double or triple A farm league. We were when we were in the IHL during the 90's. Ft. Wayne chose to remain independent rather than a primary affiliate but, the quality of play was one step below the NHL level. We did have a couple secondary affiliations which provided several young stars. It was a great time in the history of Komet Hockey. I was able to meet several great players (Radek Bonk, Jeff Shantz, Dominik Hasek, Ray LaBlanc, Miroslav Satan, Richard Matvichuk, Derian and Kevin Hatcher, Dave Christian, Zigmond Palffy, Kevin Weekes, Vladlimir Tsyplakov, Andre Roy). The list goes on. It's great to think of the talent that has been on our ice. I would hope that the Franke's would work to bring the league back to this level in time. We are paying a premium price at nearly $20 a seat. Note that I am very thankful that we have our team but I am not content. I feel we could support and deserve a AHL or CHL team. There is a huge difference. By saying this I mean no disrespect to the talent on the team. We have quite a few guys who play at a higher level already.

Now matter what league or what level of Hockey, I'm am and will always be a Komet fan to the core. Go Komets!!!

[IcyKometsFan84]

Blake's Article said that Henley might play tomarrow at Bloomington....hope he doesn't get hurt again and he can actually see him.**knock on wood**

[TGP]

"The AHL or CHL would be a great reward for the fans here in Ft. Wayne. We definately have a very strong market for Hockey. I believe that our attendance was the 5th highest out of ALL minor league hockey last year. I would love for the team to be in a double or triple A farm league. We were when we were in the IHL during the 90's. Ft. Wayne chose to remain independent rather than a primary affiliate but, the quality of play was one step below the NHL level. We did have a couple secondary affiliations which provided several young stars. It was a great time in the history of Komet Hockey. I was able to meet several great players (Radek Bonk, Jeff Shantz, Dominik Hasek, Ray LaBlanc, Miroslav Satan, Richard Matvichuk, Derian and Kevin Hatcher, Dave Christian, Zigmond Palffy, Kevin Weekes, Vladlimir Tsyplakov, Andre Roy). The list goes on. It's great to think of the talent that has been on our ice. I would hope that the Franke's would work to bring the league back to this level in time. We are paying a premium price at nearly $20 a seat. Note that I am very thankful that we have our team but I am not content. I feel we could support and deserve a AHL or CHL team. There is a huge difference. By saying this I mean no disrespect to the talent on the team. We have quite a few guys who play at a higher level already."

Great comments from the Fan.
I'm not sure the CHL is any better than the new IHL. I'll never believe that. But I would love to see Fort Wayne in the AHL, but as I said, the game Saturday and the first two periods have me thinking that maybe this new IHL might turn out to be okay.

I've attended four games and I must say that the last two I have attended, I have enjoyed for the most part. THe first two, I was...okay here we are again with lousy slowmotion, no hit hockey. Though the hitting wasn't really there Saturday, the tempo and intensity were.

[mightbite]

I would like to see a lot more hitting , but I think by taking the red line out takes that away.