From the Icehawks to Jinxy

As we prepare for the Komets' game against the visiting Port Huron Icehawks, it'll be interesting to see if Port Huron is the second-best team in the league, instead of Flint, now. The Icehawks have pulled to within two points of second-place Flint, though the Generals have played six fewer games, and the Icehawks are 14 points back of the Komets. For what it's worth, I think the Generals are way better, but they're clearly reeling with a four-game losing streak.

The Komets will again play without Maxsim Shirokov (thumb) and Olivier Legault (finger).

• I was having an interesting conversation with someone from the Icehawks franchise before tonight's game and he was wondering what people here think about the 8 p.m. Friday starts, which are, partly, to make it easier for fans to get to games. Do you all like them? I'm not a fan but, hey, I've got deadlines to contend with on Fridays.
• Note to Kevin Reiter: Try this.
• Apparently, the owners of the Flint Generals are attempting to buy Perani Arena. While I'd prefer they bulldoze that building -- not that I don't enjoy sidestepping rat droppings, overflowing sinks and having to wear a mink coat just to stay warm -- I do sincerely hope they can get it done and make some improvements. I feel sorry for the fans there; it's the worst kept arena I've seen in 11 seasons covering professional hockey.
• Speaking of outdated buildings, in case you're wondering how our Detroit Red Wings got walloped by the league-worst Los Angeles Kings on Thursday at Joe Louis Arena, you can thank my brother, otherwise known as Jinxy. When he's in the house, the Wings lose, Henrik Zetterberg or not. Maybe if we all beg him, he'll start rooting against the Lions. It would be interesting to see those two immovable objects -- Matt Millen and Matthew Cohn -- go head-to-head in their inability to produce wins.
• Komets trainer Shawn Dundon is auctioning off more jerseys, which belonged to deceased fan Stacy Musice. They are on eBay. Check the comments section below this post for a listing of them.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Comments

[kyle hunt]

I 'll always like the earlier start the better, but I could get to the game no matter what time it started so I can only talk for me.

[Justin Cohn]

Here are the jerseys:

1) Doug Teskey Anchorage Aces 98-99 #120220307138
2) Robin Bawa Anahiem Mighty Ducks Inaugural Year with Official Patch and Letter of Aunthenticity from the Ducks! #110222893597
3) Kelly Perrault Hershey Bears 99-00 #120220317714
4) Andrew Luciuk Ft Wayne Komets 05-06 #120220321349
5) Tom Nemeth Cornwall Royals OHL #120220324248

[Sherry]

Come playoff time, the brother stays home. Right?

[Jerad Shaw]

Your brother must have made a couple trips to see the Hawks play the Wings this year!!! :)

[Justin Cohn]

Make sure you check out the highlights tonight. Aquino's goal was as pretty as you'll see at this level.

[Andy]

Justin is right I am watching on B2 wow, that was a thing of beauty.

[chuckitt]

our detroit red wings? thats being pretty presumptous. 8pm starts on fri are great cause you can get home from work and have a little time to relax before heading out again plus those of us in retail that might have to work till 9pm can still make it to the game and see at least half of it.

[Hit Somebody!!!]

I like the 8pm start. It gives me time to get everyone ready, eat, and to the game in time. I probably would struggle to make it at 7:30pm on Fridays. Please keep the 8pm starting time!

[FWKRTJ]

Apparently you haven't been to Flint yet THIS year Cohn.

The arena is fine...the bathrooms are very nice (the nicest in the league including FTW), the heat is on now, and the you can't beat the sightlines. Some of the underworkings of the arena like the glass and such are worn down but most of the rest of it is in good shape.

BTW, I LOVE the 8:00PM faceoff...gives fans more time to do whatever before hand. Dayton always starts games at 7...how in the world do they expect fans to travel from anywhere in that city and get home, then to the Nutter center which is in the boonies by 7pm...

[Bob]

The 8PM Start on Friday's works fine for us. I remember for a few years during the early to mid 1990's that games on Saturday had the 8PM Start also.

[Justin Cohn]

Uh, nice try kid who dost nothing but try to disagree with me, but I actually have been to Flint. The sinks are new, but still overflowing on people. Stopped up everywhere. No hot water. Paper towel machines don't work. A coat of paint doesn't fix those problems. It was freezing cold, as usual. And you don't even want to know what the locker room areas have going on in them. Don't even try and tell me it's anything but the worst arena in the league.

[Jerad Shaw]

Was some of his arguement the " Heat is on now?" Flint finally got that billed payed huh?

[FiveMinuteMajor]

I like the 8pm start times on Fridays, even if the game doesn't get over until past my bedtime! If the Friday games started earlier I'd probably have to miss some of them because of my work schedule.
Please don't give Reiter any ideas! :) That was a funny video though, I had to play it twice to make sure I saw it right the first time!

[Brandon]

While Perani/IMA/where the Generals play IS pretty craptastic, it's my favorite rink that I've ever been to. It just screams out minor league hockey and you can feel (and smell) the history. While some basic upgrades would be nice, I just pray they dont do anything drastic.

[Burgee]

The 8 PM starts kill me, i'm wore out from the work week, but having said that, i haven't missed one! It does give me time to go to my favorite restaraunt before the game though.

[Greg]

For me living in Lima, OH the 8:00 start works great for me and my wife, gives us time to gewts good food instead of the overpriced crap they serve at the coliseum.

Justin, couldn't agree with you more on Aquino's goal. He put a sick move on DeSantis.