Defenseman Brent Henley's knee, which has held him out of all but one game this season, is feeling better, Komets general manager David Franke said.
So, arthroscopic surgery has been taken off the docket, for the time being.
Henley could be back in the lineup Friday, against the visiting Muskegon Fury, if his improvement continues.
- Komets defenseman Kevin Hansen was in the press box tonight and said he's feeling sore but relieved to be OK after taking that brutal hit Wednesday from Justin Rohr. He hopes to be back in the lineup next weekend. I've had several people tell me that hit wasn't that bad, which is silly. There is something that youtube.com doesn't show -- Hansen's neck crunching at an awkward angle in the wrong direction. I initially said Rohr should get 15 games. Maybe that was overshooting it a bit, but the one-game suspension doled out by the league was at least five too few. The decision was based partly on Hansen's health, which is a dangerous precedent to set.
- As the Port Huron Icehawks try to guarantee some sort of future -- they average a league-worst 1,241 fans per game -- they had a meeting with some knowledgeable fans.
- Former Komets coach Greg Puhalski lost his debut as Wheeling's coach, in overtime.
- Pay attention here, readers: I hoped it wouldn't come to this, but I have begun banning some people who have been leaving inappropriate, profane comments. The next step will be turning off the comments function altogether, so please keep things in good taste on the blog. My thanks to those of you who policed the blog in my absence and even let an editor know things were going awry without my knowledge. One of you said it best when pointing out, there are many kids who read this, too.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Great to hear about Henley, Hanson, and nice to see good things happen when Reiter stays in net!!! Great game all-around! I can't wait till tomorrow for another beat down... it will be interesting to see how both teams come out tomorrow.
Posted by: Hoss | January 05, 2008 at 10:17 PM
It seemed like Willis was avoiding Bertram. Maybe they will meet up tomorrow!!! Great win tonight cant wait for the next one.
GO KOMETS
Posted by: JW | January 05, 2008 at 11:20 PM
dont you worry buckos king kong henley returns soon
Posted by: ABEATENHORSE | January 05, 2008 at 11:42 PM
Great news about Henley. Someone said tonight that he would be out for at least 5 more weeks.
Wow, Karlander was crying a river tonight. He pushed the limits a few times. I thought for sure he was going to get tossed.
I hope Sims keeps Mitch on the first line. Couldn't help but notice Saidachev was taking his place later in the game. But, with that said, Sims was mixing all of the lines up tonight.
I 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 12:28 AM
wow, somebody escaped the old glue factory!
Posted by: deuce | January 06, 2008 at 03:24 AM
Great news on HENLEY & HANSON !!!!! We're getting tougher.
Posted by: mightbite | January 06, 2008 at 07:44 AM
i think the suspension of rohr was only one game cause the guy is a good guy and not a ruffian or a trouble maker. you have to take in account the intent and the person doing it so while one game was maybe not enough it was at least ok to keep him away from any komet who wanted to even things up which i dont believe in this case they would have done anything. even woods backed off after he initialy went after him.
Posted by: chuckitt | January 06, 2008 at 12:12 PM
You asking for the 15 games suspension for me begs the question Justin, you,ve been mum on the Woods-Ftorek incident. Any opinion?
Posted by: Greg | January 06, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Ftorek left the IHL because he ran his mouth off to HENLEY and he's coming back!!!!! Don't wake up the King Kong!! Ewasko & margie is also on the list.
Posted by: mightbite | January 06, 2008 at 12:52 PM
On Woods, I will admit, I never saw a replay, so I reserve the right to change my mind, but I didn't see what the big deal was. He whapped him in the arm.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 06, 2008 at 04:39 PM
The kid has a history in his junior days...remember in college they only play so many games and don't do much for fear of losing scholarships and such. In juniors he really was a nasty kid...
Posted by: KometJack | January 06, 2008 at 04:54 PM
The Rohr kid has a history in his junior days...remember in college they only play so many games and don't do much for fear of losing scholarships and such. In juniors he really was a nasty kid...
Posted by: KometJack | January 06, 2008 at 04:54 PM