The Komets defeated the Flint Generals 6-2 on Saturday night, giving the Komets their 22nd consecutive victory on home ice. That equals the International Hockey League record initially set by the Muskegon Mohawks in 1965-66.
This was a gritty performance by the Komets, as it was a very chippy game. Early on, both goalies were punching opposing forwards and that got things going. There were two melees, with Fort Wayne's Maxsim Shirokov getting booted for being the third man in a fight (yes, that Maxsim Shirokov), as was Flint's Ryan Jorde for the same infraction.
Later in the game, Fort Wayne's Mathieu Curadeau was ejected for a check from behind on Mike Alexiou. A split-second later, Curadeau got run into the boards by Brock Wilson, who strangely only got a minor penalty.
Aside from the rough play, what really keyed the Komets were the standout games by normally unheralded players. Jake Pence got the game-winning goal on a lucky shot from the corner, atoning for an earlier giveaway that set up a Flint goal. Kevin Bertram had a goal and two assists. And Justin Hodgman, who looked outstanding in his second professional game, had a goal.
The Komets can surpass the Muskegon mark on Friday against the Kalamazoo Wings.
- The Komets played without Colin Chaulk, whose wife gave birth to a daughter on Friday. Also out were Sergei Durdin (neck) and Brent Henley (illness).
- Somewhere, Kevin Kerr must be laughing. Since he was fired by the Generals, Flint has gone 1-4-1 and fallen to fourth place. They seemed more concerned with cheap shots than actually winning this game at times.
- I reviewed video of the Curadeau hit. If anything, it looked like elbowing to me. I don't have a problem with the major penalty but I probably would have tagged him with a double-minor.
- I asked Fort Wayne coach Al Sims if he has thought at all about how he'll handle the goaltending situation in the playoffs. He said he hasn't. Strange as it would be to see in a postseason, I think if they've gotten in the habit of rotating every other game, you've got to stick with that. A rhythm is a rhythm.
- Remember, if you want to bid on some of the jerseys worn by the Komets tonight, go to www.artsunited.org.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
I like Hodgman. The kid's got some serious skill.
That major penalty was weak. It should have been a double minor at worst. What made me laugh though was a guy behind me shouted that Graber made Hawthorne look like a great ref. Plus after any hit by both teams, people were yelling BOARDING!
Great win though either way. To think, they play Flint twice more next weekend.
BTW, any word on when the Huber is getting delivered to the K's? Will it be done in time for the last home game, or will it just be done at the first home playoff game?
Posted by: Josh F | March 23, 2008 at 12:20 AM
The league has yet to figure it out. The belief is that it will be in the regular season, but the thing hasn't even been finished yet, last I heard.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | March 23, 2008 at 12:37 AM
I'm about to start a "Hustler Hodgman Fan Club"...man this kid reminds me of Morency (minus the fighting). Hopefully he can make Marchant start playing better (b/c he's going to be the center who is left out if he doesn't start picking it up). That's the one thing that the Komets are lacking in, hitting people who have the puck. Just my opinions...
Posted by: Andrew | March 23, 2008 at 12:53 AM
Maybe the Komets should look into creating some shirts like these...
http://shop.nhl.com/category/index.jsp?categoryId=2504572
I think they would be fairly popular, kinda random but i just thought I'd throw that out there
Posted by: Andrew | March 23, 2008 at 01:01 AM
Josh F.
Komets don't play Flint for 3 weeks. and that is 2 up in flint and 1 here in Fort Wayne.
Posted by: Mark | March 23, 2008 at 01:11 AM
wow did hodgman really impress me....and yes andrew that would be a great fan club!!..the way he hit..the way he played on the PK.....him and hukalo on the same line on the PK would be a killer....he showed a lot of grit and determination...and was very deserving of the standing ovation he got after leavin the ice on that pk he kept the puck in flints zone...hopefully after that he sees that these fans are for real and respects the city and wants to come back if offered....and the 3rd man in crap....all shirokov did was hold someone and yet everyone was in the scrum..so why didnt legault get a third man in he was obviously involved before shirokov....lol...graber just made me laugh the whole night!! its just lovely to see how 3 coaches cant outsmart 1...lol
Posted by: kometfan | March 23, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Did sterling injure reichmuth?? cuz after that altercation clayton pool came in....well wait..maybe ramsey knew what was goin to happen and didn't want pool to get beat up so he started reichmuth and then just pulled him after the fight....maybe a fine involved for that move?
Posted by: kometfan | March 23, 2008 at 02:18 AM
Musk. Vs PH. brawl link:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ExdHtaLbk
Posted by: wingmnn | March 23, 2008 at 06:05 AM
The goalie fight was the best fight i've seen all year.
Posted by: Ryne Gurney | March 23, 2008 at 08:54 AM
Just had to post this AM. I want to remind all that what you are watching this season is a truly remarkable hockey team. I have been to 34 years worth of hockey games at the War Memorial and do say that this is one of the finer teams I have been blessed to watch.
Mr. Hodgeman was a joy to watch last night. The extra jump that he brought last night was fun at this point of the season. I looked at the shirts and I liked the idea of the old timers...I would buy a Doug Rigler, Wally Schriber, or maybe a Robbie Laird. Maybe a John Hillworth or a Rob Motz. I hope you all enjoy the rest of your season. The brawl in Musky was something and I would say that It was planned as the way it transpired.
Posted by: ds214 | March 23, 2008 at 09:41 AM
GET-WELL SOON=raVen need ya back soon!!!!!It looked like segal started the brawl-need one here in Ft.Wayne
Posted by: mightbite | March 23, 2008 at 10:53 AM
GREAT BRAWL in Musky! All I want to say is that the ejection of Curadeau last night was complete garbage!! If Graber the horse wrangler was gonna toss Curadeau, he should have tossed whoever that was that crosschecked Curadeau from behind right after Curadeau's hit as well. And how can there be two third men in?! Wouldn't that make one of them fourth man? Graber is an idiot. He must have gone to the same ref school as Hawthorne and Gallagher. Great win, and Hodgman was an animal out there!! I hoope he keeps that sort of play up!! Let's rewrite the record books on Friday!! GO KOMETS!!!
Posted by: Kris | March 23, 2008 at 11:40 AM
PS. Congrats to Colin Chaulk and his family. We wish you all the best!! GO KOMETS!!
Posted by: Kris | March 23, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Hey RaVen! What happened?!? Did you eat the free taco, Whopper and wash it down with the wind shield washer fluid?!?!
Really, man, Mr. Mightbite and I are thinking of you! Please take care ... games just aren't the same without you!
Posted by: Mrs. Mightbite | March 23, 2008 at 11:55 AM
1. Currdy getting tossed was crap.
2. Tuzzlino is the SOFTEST 6'5" or whatever he measures in at defenseman in ALL of hockey. What as girl. He's a real toughguy when there are two linesmen standing between him and Bertram. It looked like Bert was going to choke him if he got his hands on him.
3. Flint played the whole game cheap. They need to trade for Karlander. With Karlander being the #1 crybaby in the league, Flint has to have the next 9.
Dumba.
Bozo-soil.
DiPace.
Tuzzilino. (aka Capt. Soft)
Kinnie.
The list goes on...
4. Jorde was such an intimidating force that he was asked to leave...
5. Legault and Woods connecting on a goal... Yeah Boy!!!
6. Good for Bert and Pence.
7. If this is the Hodgeman we're going to see night in and night out... Marchant is going to have a tough row to hoe.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 23, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Mark:
Thanks for informing me. The person I had talked to was mistaken. She thought that Flint was in town next week. Oh well.
Justin:
That's what I figured. Too bad I won't be able to get to anymore games, unless I go to the rat barn in Flint (I live about 20 minutes from there). Hopefully you'll be able to post some pictures either on here or on the site when's it's done.
Posted by: Josh F | March 23, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I was really impressed with Hodgman last night. He hits and hustles, what more do we need?
I didn't see Curadeau do anything that deserved a game misconduct, but I didn't have a real good look at the play. What I did have a good look at was how many offsides calls the crap linesmen missed all night! Aargh!
The jerseys were pretty sharp, I may have to mosey over to the Arts United site and see how much some of them are going for...
You think Bert was happy after scoring that goal? Loved his reaction! Talk about getting your offense from unexpected places. Great game! :)
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | March 23, 2008 at 03:05 PM
well i cant agree with most of you on how pence had a good game....because he gave flint the second goal they had and then on the first goal he was caught just standing there.....and his goal....weak...just ruggerio let in the easiest goal allowed
Posted by: kometfan | March 23, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Komet fan, Pence didn't have that good of a game, however i enjoy watching him and he works pretty hard, he's a solid defenseman. He made a bad play, happens.
Also yesterday Luers boys basketball won state, and the Komets won big, (I was at both games), good day.
Posted by: Ryne Gurney | March 23, 2008 at 03:38 PM
yes i also enjoy watching him go on the fly and then turn the puck over and the other team goes on a break..so fun to watch that!!!
Posted by: kometfan | March 23, 2008 at 04:37 PM
I think Pence played a decent game. I think the defensive play he made on Kinnie after he turned the puck over was a very good move, Kinnie made an even better move by spinning and passing to Tuzzolino. Impressive play by Kinnie, Pence is a hustler, he isn't the greatest dman around, but he is serviceable.
Posted by: Mark | March 23, 2008 at 05:13 PM
To Mr & Mrs Mightbite...thanks for the peptalk. I needed that. I hope to make it back for Friday's game as long as the pacemaker does it's job. It sounds like I missed a good one last night.See ya soon and GO K'S!!!
Posted by: RaVeN | March 23, 2008 at 05:53 PM
pence has improved alot and the comment that he is a serviceable dman is correct. lets hope he gets better cause im sure he will be back next year.
Posted by: chuckitt | March 23, 2008 at 09:45 PM
i sure hope they can find a servicable dman better than him next year...if they were smart they better offer up some money to hodgman
Posted by: kometfan | March 23, 2008 at 11:10 PM
If I had to choose between Pence and Warner hands down I would take Warner. He is a much better player than Pence and has more potential than Pence. While I will agree that Pence has improved I would play Warner over him. Play-off Line-up
Boucher/Reiter
Hansen/Henley
Dupuis/Bertram
Warner/Durdin
Woods/Chaulk/PC
Aquino/Caurdeau/Shafranov
Huaklo/Reynolds/Marchant
Extra: Pence/Saidachev or Legault
Healthy Scratches:
Shirokov
Hodgeman
Posted by: ToeBlake | March 23, 2008 at 11:28 PM
From what I saw on Saturday Hodgeman and Chaulk are our best centermen. Marchant or Reynolds better get used to playing wing.
Posted by: Shawn | March 23, 2008 at 11:44 PM
I have to put my two cents in on the currdy hit. I think it was diserving. He did take 4 or 5 extra strides to hit and it was from behind. Just my take please take it gently just my thought. I still like that guy and love that he is in a Komet Jersey.
Posted by: Skoal Apple | March 24, 2008 at 07:32 AM
Boucher/Reiter
Henley/Hanson
Dupuis/Bertram
Pence/Warner
Aquino/Chaulk/PC
Woods/Hodgeman/Reynolds
Huckalo/Cauradau/Shafranov
Durdin/Legault on the bench
Scratch: Marchant,Saidachev,Shikrov,
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 24, 2008 at 08:09 AM
Why are some of you so quick to throw Pence under the bus? He is not the only Komets player to give up a goal this season...What gives? I posted on another thread stating his 67 games played, only a few on the team have played as many games, this shows that coach Sims has confidence in this kid and likes his work ethic.
Posted by: St.Christopher | March 24, 2008 at 08:36 AM
I agree. Pence plays every game and plays hard. He makes mistakes, everyone on the team does, but I think he's still catching flack for his performance the first couple weeks of the season. He has improved greatly.
Pence +11
Hansen +4
Henley -2
Warner +8
Shirokov +11
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 24, 2008 at 10:19 AM
I knew it wouldn't be long till the +/- came out!!!
Posted by: Hoss | March 24, 2008 at 11:48 AM
I knew it wouldn't be long till the +/- came out!!!
Posted by: Hoss | March 24, 2008 at 11:48 AM
If Henley was not 6'7" and had created the buzz he did from last season, he very well could be the one getting thrown under the bus. His play has not been great/terrible but its hard to argue he should be playing in front of some of the players mentioned for scratches or pine time. His knee/health have been a big factor in his play up to this point this season and hopefully his health is taking a turn towards the better. Having a knee injury makes it very difficult to be the player we seen last season.
Posted by: scoops | March 24, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Hoss.... I used it as a point of reference. +/- doesn't tell the whole story. Henley for instance makes a bigger impact when he's on the ice than his +/- would indicate. Durdin is +23 or something and his play isn't always indicitive of that. However, it does say a lot about Pence when you compare him to his defensive teammates. Pence rarely takes dumb penalties, jumps people from behind, or throws tantrums over calls. I have yet to see him yell at a goalie in Latvian. Pence is a solid d-man, and a classy guy on and off the ice.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 24, 2008 at 02:20 PM
Jungle Monkey and Scoops, I like how you two illusrtate the "bigger picture" your posts are right on.
Posted by: St.Christopher | March 24, 2008 at 03:21 PM
$2,000 high bid for Saidachev's jersey from saturday night. that is nuts!!
Posted by: Brad | March 24, 2008 at 05:04 PM
Do you think that's a typo?
Posted by: Teresa | March 24, 2008 at 05:09 PM
To anyone wondering why Pence get's thrown under the bus...Komet fans have a few rules that must be followed every season. We have to freak out if we lose three games in a row, the coach (whomever) is holding (whomever) back and won't let (whomever) fight, Guinn has to be brought up in conversation, we need to argue about whether or not we should go to the AHL every so often, someone wonders why they don't bring back the 'you suck' chant, and one defenseman and a power forward has to be dogged on (doesn't matter the talent or if say for example a team goes 22 games straight at home without losing one.) These rules must be followed to a T or else the world explodes. I'm not complaining, but that's just how it goes.
By the way, anyone think that maybe this Hodgman love fest is a little early? I'm sure he has talent but I'd hold off on the 'look out Marchant' quotes til you see a few more games. Remember the lovefest for Erick Tremblay last year after one game?? He's not even playing hockey anymore. Even if Hodgman could take Marchant's spot at center, it would be a winger that would sit. Without Marchant and maybe Reynolds and occasionally Woods and Legault, no other forward plays infront of the crease game in and game out. Marchant isn't collecting a career high in points this season, but without him, the Komets offense would have a hole in it.
Posted by: dnl | March 24, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Congrats to Kevin Bertram on defenseman of the week! Way to go, Bertie!
Posted by: Teresa | March 24, 2008 at 05:17 PM
i would think its a typo considering the rest of them are in the 100-300 dollar range
Posted by: Brad | March 24, 2008 at 05:47 PM
I'd like to see Legualt get as much ice time as Marchant-bet he'd have more points-more PIM.
Posted by: mightbite | March 24, 2008 at 05:47 PM
Marchant doesn't do anything in the crease. His stick is always tied up and at least two feet off the ice. Marchant has 3 powerplay goals. Huckalo is the only regular-shift playing forward that has less at 1. And Huckalo seldom plays on the powerplay.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 24, 2008 at 06:22 PM
Our powerplay goals aren't often scored by the guy parked in the crease but alot of goals are scored because of them. Just being there to create an obstructed view is every bit as effective. Whomever is out front should get as much assist credit for the abuse they take.
Posted by: scoops | March 24, 2008 at 07:00 PM
Woods scores in the crease, as does Aquino.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | March 24, 2008 at 07:02 PM
I would not play Hodgeman over a guy who has been here all year and contributed to the overall success of the team and that woul include Pence....THat is why I was not so excited to bring in an AM just because you can. There was really no reason to since everyone that has been playing here has chip in when someone gets hurt...
Posted by: ToeBlake | March 24, 2008 at 07:03 PM
I would play New Guy over a few guys on the team. He plays with fire and heart and hits everything! Everyone fell in love with Tremblay because he scored one goal, New Guy scored a goal and played "Komet Hockey" that we have all been waiting for. He reminded me of Morency with a better handle of the puck.
JM, I wasn't calling you out about +/-, it was just the fact that you can use it to show just about anything, like we have talked about before.
Posted by: Hoss | March 24, 2008 at 07:27 PM
I haven't seen as many games as I would like but it seems to me that Woods scores most of his on odd man rushes. Aquino can deflect in the crease, as well as score about anywhere (lucky he does with the defense he plays, or lack there of.) There are a few other players who can play around the net, but no one screens like Marchant. He's strong, uses his body, and I bet get's cross checked more than anyone on the team because of his positioning. Those same skills give him the results he recieves on his faceoff. While I have no stats to back it up, I'd put money down that Marchant wins more faceoffs than even Chaulk. Before someone says something, I know, saying anything that doesn't praise Chaulk is blasphemy and I ask your forgiveness.
Posted by: dnl | March 24, 2008 at 07:34 PM
The whole team can lay claim to cleaning up rebounds and a deflection here and there. We'll just agree to disagree that Marchant does "nothing" out front.
Posted by: scoops | March 24, 2008 at 09:19 PM
all i can say about marchant is that hes gone from being a #1 scorer to a middle of the packer. is that worth a vetern spot? do his other tangibles make up for it? good for discussion.
Posted by: chuckitt | March 24, 2008 at 09:58 PM
I have never really thought of him as a #1 guy, at least not in Fort Wayne. Maybe in his younger days or on different teams. In Fort Wayne he has been more of a compliment to what we already had. He is worth a vet spot right now on this team and his intangibles make this team a better team. Next year might be a different story when a new team is being assembled.
Posted by: scoops | March 24, 2008 at 10:27 PM