I know you've been itching to find out from this rulebook owner, so let's address the "face-masking" penalty.
But first, praise be give to the International Hockey League for giving rulebooks to the reporters, something that United Hockey League regime strangely and pathetically refused to do, lest we actually learn how the game was played.
Anyway, yeah, face-masking -- it is a penalty. While myself, Komets management, some players and those in the 600-level concession stands scoured the pages of the rule book trying to figure out how referee Jim Hawthorne had tossed Kevin Bertram for a football penalty, and kept coming up empty, the light bulb went off when the announcement was changed from a game misconduct to a match penalty. Sure enough, in a table of options for match penalties, "grabbing of the face mask" is there.
So, it does exist.
Even if it didn't, the referee does have a lot of latitude to call penalties that involve fisticuffs and, believe it or not, fisticuffs is pretty broadly defined -- it can be one guy shoving another -- and Hawthorne would have found a way to toss Bertram.
Which leads us to this question: Did Bertram do anything deserving of a penalty? Yes, he was yanking on the guy's helmet trying to get him to fight. Did it deserve anything more than two minutes in the box? Not in my opinion.
Anyway, because it was a match penalty, it has to be reviewed, but I don't expect there to be any suspension because of it.
And by the way, the Komets defeated the Muskegon Fury 2-1. P.C. Drouin scored on a penalty shot and those have been anything but guaranteed goals for the Komets through the years. Colin Chaulk netted the game-winner on a power play after Dan Carney hauled down David Hukalo late in the game.
Believe me, the Komets don't enjoy facing the Fury. They feel they test them a ton. No arguing that.
For those wondering who Drouin was waving to after he scored -- it was his brother in law. Drouin, by the way, has three goals and 17 points in 12 games since his first child was born.
- Flint lost to Bloomington and now trails the Komets by nine points.
- IHL linesman Ryan Hutchison is honored as a hero.
- Have you see the Rick Nash goal? It's good to see Wayne is teaching his Coyotes to play that Gretzky defense I remember so well. Naw, seriously, that was an awesome goal. Too bad his coach didn't see it.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ERNQzBrLZuk
Speaking of winners....It took Rockford a long time to beat us.
Posted by: Brando | January 21, 2008 at 03:46 PM
hahhaha no money invested in LC walker arena here... and no way im giving anything to the fury... seems like the last 3 times in a row i wanna go throw some money the furys way something always comes up at the very last second and i get stuck alone. the fake bruce only sits in suites and goes on road trips. someone else will have to try and talk him into showing up cause i cant.
jonndfi where my beer and handshake??
Posted by: JW | January 21, 2008 at 03:58 PM
Thanks Tom, but I cant afford the couch time! Reading this blog just....just....tears me up so...inside.
Posted by: kyle hunt | January 21, 2008 at 04:07 PM
Oh, forgot......GO K'S
Posted by: kyle hunt | January 21, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Congrats to Reiter and PC for getting weekly honors.
Posted by: wingmnn | January 21, 2008 at 04:28 PM
2-tickets for jan. 16th. for sale sec.200-great seats .
Posted by: mightbite | January 21, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Ooops-feb.6th
Posted by: mightbite | January 21, 2008 at 05:00 PM
Congrats to Reiter and PC!!!
I got off work alittle early and got to send time out on the pond skating. Man the ice is super smooth. I even got my dog to play some hockey with me.
Before I forget everyone be safe this weekend going to the games!!!
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | January 21, 2008 at 06:11 PM
Anyone besides Rich and his family, Conley and his family, and myself and my gf heading to Muskegon on Saturday?? Tom, Got a probably out of you, so let me know what is up. Cohn, you on the road with the team this weekend? And will you be on the phone with T n T today?
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 22, 2008 at 07:27 AM
I just heard on the radio that they are planning on talking to him today
Posted by: IcyKometsFan84 | January 22, 2008 at 08:45 AM
MAHL's Indiana Ice Miners Set Pro Record for Longest Winning Streak
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3583412
The Mid-Atlantic Hockey League's version of the New England Patriots, the Indiana Ice Miners, made professional hockey history last Saturday (January 19th) when they won their record setting nineteenth in a row against the Valley Forge Freedom. The Ice Miners, coached by Fort Wayne, Indiana native Brian Gratz, have posted an overall record of 24 wins, 1 loss, and no overtime losses. Indiana is 13-0 on the road this season and 11-1 playing their home games at the S&T Bank Arena in Indiana, Pennsylvania. The Ice Miners only loss of the season came back on November 24th when the Wooster Warriors defeated them 4-3. Indiana's next opportunity to extend the winning streak comes this Saturday night (January 26th) when they host the Jamestown Vikings.
Way to go Brian!
Posted by: Amazed Komet Fan | January 22, 2008 at 12:37 PM
AKF good posts. Happy to see the FW lad doing well. Cohn has to go to Muskegon now because we will all be up there...he can join the Texas Hold em tournament at the hotel after the game with all of us...right Jerad? Anyways stay safe on the roads out there...it is pretty slick over here in Warsaw...not sure about in the Fort. Also Kyle sometime I have to meet you because you crack me up man.
Posted by: Tom | January 22, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Hey Larry.. Can I make a request for "Wild Child" By WASP... Old school rock or maybe some AFI "The Killing Lights". Great songs for warm ups. You do a good job and I like the funny clips you throw in.
Trying to make it to the Muskegon game. If not live, we will be watching on the B2.
Jerad and Tom, I have not been to Muskegon. What section? Buy tickets now or Buy there? Please advise. Thanks.
Posted by: The Fan | January 22, 2008 at 02:31 PM
Buy them anytime before Sat. because they charge extra you extra on the day of the event. Also if you try to but tickets at the door they have a policy if you try to buy tickets 1/2 hour before game time you can't pick your seats they will pick them for you. Go to the IHL website and click on the fury website and maneuver to LC WALKER ARENA and check out the seating chart. Do not sit on the very end because there are some obstructed view seats.
Posted by: Tom | January 22, 2008 at 02:55 PM
I was hoping to hear some info on the Komets today Cohny but all you guys talk about is xbox on your Tuesday slot on the Bear
Posted by: Ryan | January 22, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Here's something the league officials need to discuss. The playoff format. By now I'm use to seeing a letter from the Komets saying when my Ticket balance is due and I haven't seen that yet and as far as I know, there is no information on how the playoffs are going to be conducted.
(now for the Jim Mora Playoff speel)
Posted by: Greg | January 22, 2008 at 04:03 PM
Tom, usually sitting around section 221/222 lower level at the M.C. Good of you guys to get up there and give a shout out to the players away from home. Got to get to some of the other barns someday, man always wanted to see the Garage before Motor City was done but never got there.
Posted by: kyle hunt | January 22, 2008 at 04:43 PM
You never they they could be back someday. Also I wear Orange hair a lot and usually have the orange megaphone...you can't miss me...I am one of the biggest Komet fans there...both literally and figuratively.*sorry for picking on myself like that...but it makes it easier to find me. At road games I go to you can usually pick out my voice yelling lets go Komets during the home teams starting lineups.
Posted by: Tom | January 22, 2008 at 04:52 PM
Well said Larry.
I guess I didn't know the song, but the truth is...it's loud and annoying. Thanks for your positive post.
Posted by: Bruiser | January 22, 2008 at 05:03 PM
If anyone is following the mess that is arena football in Fort Wayne it should remind us all that we are very lucky to have the Frankes as owners of the Komets!
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | January 22, 2008 at 06:50 PM
hey we didnt mention xbox today
Posted by: Justin Cohn | January 22, 2008 at 07:32 PM
Yes you did, cause they asked you if you were going to spend time with the family today or play xbox. That got a little laugh out of me, then Justin goes Dane Cook and says " I'm actually going to the bank to buy an arena football team." Very nice one liner Very nice!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 22, 2008 at 08:08 PM
I quoted the following from above and I must say that I agree. I hated the UHL...HATED IT. Slow players, boring games, little hitting and almost no passion minus a player here or there. After the first game or two in the IHL, I didn't see much difference but now I do. It's better than the UHL. I'd rather have the AHL, but maybe the person below has it right. One day it might be even better.
"I think what I am trying to say is, this:
I have enjoyed this season much more than the past 9 seasons that were in the UHL. It is the first year of the new IHL. Yes, it might not be the AHL, but I don't think that matters. I am not that interested or excited about the AHL. The IHL is a good product all ready. Give it a few years and the IHL might be the league that everyone is mocking and wishing they were in.
This Komet's team is something special to watch this year. FUN has returned to the MC."
Posted by: Atomic | January 22, 2008 at 08:47 PM
Atomic, you 100% said everything thing that I have felt with this season so far!!!
Posted by: Jerad Shaw | January 22, 2008 at 09:38 PM
Too bad it wasn't Atomic who said all that, it was a quote from Shakespeare, or was it me?...Hit Somebody!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | January 23, 2008 at 06:29 PM
And he mentioned he was quoting you.
Posted by: 212 Komet fan | January 23, 2008 at 07:24 PM
I was just telling Jared. I know Atomic knew it. I was just giving Jared a hard time is all. Sorry.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | January 23, 2008 at 07:55 PM