Ice Chips 06'-07': Another night, another home win

About Ice Chips

Justin A. Cohn, pro sports coordinator for The Journal Gazette, has been covering the Fort Wayne Komets since 1997. His reporting includes game stories from home and away, features about the players and personalities associated with the Komets, plus coverage of issues affecting hockey at all levels. A native of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Cohn graduated from Emory University in Atlanta. He can be reached at 260-461-8429 or by email at jcohn@jg.net.

March 01, 2008

Another night, another home win

The Fort Wayne Komets look and feel almost infallible at home these days. A 4-2 victory over the Bloomington PrairieThunder on Friday night was the Komets' 16th straight victory at Memorial Coliseum, two shy of the franchise record set in 1963-64 and six short of the league record set in 1965-66 by the Muskegon Mohawks.

Yeah, it was a two-goal margin in this one, but it wasn't even that close. Both of the PrairieThunder's goals came off deflections, when the Komets let down their guard for a 23-second span. Other than that, the Komets dominated from end-to-end, start to finish.

Brent Henley was out, serving the first game of his five-game suspension for high-sticking Tyler Willis. No problem. The Komets were still plenty physical with three fights, including a Mitch Woods vs. Neil Clark bout after the final buzzer because Clark slashed P.C. Drouin.

The Komets had to play one man short of a 19-player lineup, as part of the Henley suspension. No problem. The Komets still didn't look to have a weak link, or a fatigued one, on the ice. Their power play was 2 for 7.

About the only bad news is that Luciano Aquino, the Komets' leading scorer, who had a goal, could face a suspension. He was booted from the game for attempting to injure a Bloomington player with a high-stick. I doubt he'll get further punishment -- I heard there isn't a good replay of it -- but it could happen.

Fort Wayne plays at Bloomington, Ill., on Saturday.

The Komets played without Konstantin Shafranov, who has foot and wrist injuries. Also, Brandon Warner remained out with a knee injury.
PrairieThunder owner Tony Lisman is attempting to transfer ownership of his franchise to Bloomington-based owners, The Pantagraph reported. I've heard that that even if that happens, the PrairieThunder will remain in the IHL. Lisman also owns the Muskegon Fury.
The IHL's trade deadline passed Friday afternoon with no deals around the league. Shocker.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Posted at 12:02 AM in Hockey world news, IHL analysis, Komets analysis, Player rumors and talk, Transactions | Permalink

Comments

They seen it coming?? NO, not the cheap shots. i was there...i seen it...my opinion. i dont respect ANYone talking bad about any player.... dont get on this blog and put any fan down. i dont agree with 50% of these blogs, but i respect there opinion and then i give mine...but i NEVER question what kind of fan they are. talk bad about the other teams and there fans and leave komet fans alone...even if you think they are wrong...thanks!

Posted by: Booner | March 02, 2008 at 03:18 PM

Point taken TGP, I respect your perception. However, I cannot agree with other posts tabbing our players with "turtling" when in fact they didn't.

Posted by: St.Christopher | March 02, 2008 at 03:24 PM

Scoops, we had no travel problems whatsoever. The crowd was huge. It was probably the best live event I've been to. 4 or 5 undercard fights and then the one's they show on PPV makes for a long night of fighting!

Posted by: Jerad Shaw | March 02, 2008 at 04:09 PM

Booner,

Then don't post here if you can't handle things. Many Komet fans wear blinders when it comes to their team and the quality of the league. And you are one of them, apparently.

And I disagree with the fact that it takes a "better man" to stand there and take a beating. That's ridiculous and not one of us would enjoy going to Komet games if that happened all the time. Be honest...you wanted to see Bertram fight the guy. Be the "better man" off the ice. On ice, drop 'em and fight the guy who has come at you straight up. Or at the very least take care of him later in the game.

Posted by: Bruiser | March 02, 2008 at 04:44 PM

St. Christopher,

They turtled in that they chose not to fight. No one is saying they were scared to fight.

Posted by: Bruiser | March 02, 2008 at 04:46 PM

What Bertram did wasn't considered turtling. He didn't drop down and say please don't hit me. He stood straight up and toke the punches, just didn't throw any of his own.

Posted by: Jerad Shaw | March 02, 2008 at 04:59 PM

Let me get this straight, if a player choses not to fight at any time during play, that player gets the "turtle" name? I'd have to say the entire league has gone to the turtle's then, because I've seen a busload of them refuse this season alone. Thanks for clearing that up for me,I was mistaken.Agree that Bert may be guarding an injury and both Woods/Bert should have never gotten roughing penalties.

Posted by: St.Christopher | March 02, 2008 at 05:12 PM