I'm having a blast. How about you?

In 11 seasons of covering the Fort Wayne Komets, this has probably been the most fun I've had with a team. And it's not just because the Komets are winning, though that doesn't hurt.

I guess I have several explanations for why this season has been a hoot:

• Coach Al Sims is fun to work with. He always has something to say. One of his predecessors, Greg Puhalski, wasn't the most quotable coach. Pat Bingham was never in a good mood. I find Sims to be like former Komets coach Dave Allison -- both had coached dreadful teams in the NHL and there's nothing that they could be asked or called by me or fans that they hadn't experienced before, so it made them even keeled. Sims is often found before games checking things out from the press box or stands, not locked in a room somewhere. He's approachable. It's a more personable touch.
• The Komets have some unique personalities, like Mitch Woods and Luciano Aquino, who keep things lively in the locker room. (Although, Woods has got to clean up his language because I don't have that much time on my hands to edit audio.)
• There have been great stories, like Kevin Bertram's return to pro hockey, P.C. Drouin redeeming his game, Konstantin Shafranov not looking so old after all, Brandon Warner making it as the hometown kid, Colin Chaulk playing good as ever, with more maturity than ever.
• While I'm really sick of seeing the same opponents over and over again, and the same bad officiating, the IHL has been refreshing. Actual hitting? Fighting? Thank goodness.
• The goaltending is fascinating. Alternating Kevin Reiter and Nick Boucher, both at the top of their games, has been fun to watch. Also fun has been seeing the fans squirm in their seats as Reiter strays so far from the net.
• The makeup of a team that is so defensive minded and so penalized, all at the same time, it makes for some intriguing games.
• Throw all the other stuff in, the record chases, the regular-season championship, the idea that some of these guys, like Aquino and Mathieu Curadeau, are destined to move up in hockey, and it's been a lot of fun.

And no matter what happens from here on in, whether the Komets win the Cup or are a colossal failure in the postseason, those will be great stories to write, too.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Comments

[Fans????]

Atomic, stay over there. Please and thank you!

[Carrie Jeanne]

So what's going on with the tailgate? Is Saturday a go? What time?

[mightbite]

BEER?????

[Adam Craig]

Back on the blog. Cohn you're right it has been a fun season. Of course since my move to Michigan this summer i didnt know how many games i would watch or listen to. The games i have been catching the k's are playing phenominal. And this home winning streak is unbelieveable. In my almost 20 years of exsitance, this team is 1 of the top 5 teams i have greatly watched over the years.

Go Komets and Good luck the rest of the season and win your 5th Turner Cup.

[Atomic]

Fans???,

I see you aren't talking hockey here anymore than talking football over there.

And I will go where I please thank-you.

[Junior]

Indoor football has a blog?

Monkey, great poem.