I know the Komets are still basking in the glory of their Turner Cup championship, but it would be nice if they'd release the schedule the International Hockey League is saying should be available.
According to the IHL web site, the Komets will open their 57th season Oct. 17th at Port Huron, Mich. -- that'll be a rematch of the finals -- and play host to the Flint Generals at Memorial Coliseum on Oct. 18th.
For those of you who thought last season was way too long, given that there's only six teams, well, too bad. We're getting another 76-game campaign in 2008-09. For very limited information, click here.
Meanwhile, former Komets enforcer Jeff Worlton has been named coach of the Tri City Icehawks, a junior team based in Midland, Mich. Click here to read more, including the note that Greg Puhalski apparently played in the NHL without anyone's knowledge. Note to people at all levels of hockey: Not only is Icehawks a weak nickname, it's getting very overused.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
Here is the schedule...
Komets Home Games:
Sat Oct 18 Flint @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Oct 31 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sat Nov 8 Bloomington @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Nov 14 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Fri Nov 21 Port Huron @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sat Nov 22 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Thurs Nov 27 Flint @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Sat Nov 29 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Sat Dec 6 Bloomington @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Sat Dec 13 Port Huron @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Sat Dec 20 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Sun Dec 21 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 5:00 p.m.
Fri Dec 26 Bloomington @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Mon Dec 29 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Wed Dec 31 Flint @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Wed Jan 7 Port Huron @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Jan 9 Flint @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sat Jan 10 Bloomington @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Jan 16 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sun Jan 18 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 5:00 p.m.
Fri Jan 30 Port Huron @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sat Jan 31 Port Huron @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Feb 6 Flint @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sun Feb 8 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 5:00 p.m.
Fri Feb 13 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sat Feb 21 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Wed Feb 25 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Feb 27 Flint @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sat Mar 14 Kalamazoo @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Mar 20 Port Huron @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sun Mar 22 Bloomington @ Fort Wayne 5:00 p.m.
Wed Mar 25 Flint @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Fri Mar 27 Flint @ Fort Wayne 8:00 p.m.
Sat Mar 28 Port Huron @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Wed Apr 1 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Sat Apr 4 Muskegon @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Wed Apr 8 Bloomington @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Sat Apr 11 Bloomington @ Fort Wayne 7:30 p.m.
Taken from http://finishyourcheck.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=13335
Posted by: Salvucci | May 31, 2008 at 11:52 PM
More info about where these dates come from:
"Schedules directly from spreadsheet from the League Offices (Amy Stump). I just did a sort on "Home Team". "
This is member SBL@PHN on that board I linked in the previous post. Looking at the other dates from other teams that have released, they all coordinate with the above schedule, so I have to believe it's close to 100% reliable.
Peace...
Posted by: Salvucci | June 01, 2008 at 12:19 AM
No Expansion in the IHL.
No more IR and a 22-man roster all included in the salary cap. That ought to hurt teams trying to find good players at this level, and I suppose it will also cause alot of the "all-star" caliber "AA" players to go over-seas this next season. The IHL needs to figure out ways to make coming to this league attractive to players, fans, and possible expansion teams and cities. This doesn't appear to be a wise way to do it.
I think the schedule coming out this early is a bad sign for the league's wishes to expand this league. In fact, I think it says loudly that there won't be any expansion in 2008-2009.
What happened to the talk from some owners, reporters, and hockey people close to the IHL saying that there would be at least 7-8 teams next season? Not gonna happen.
I will remain patient with this league another season, but how can any of us be expected to not worry about this league's strength if we limp into another year with 6 teams.
Flint has 13 Thursday night games and 7 Friday night games this coming season? WOW...that spells disaster.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | June 01, 2008 at 03:44 AM
13 Thursdays and 7 Fridays is no big deal in Flint. It's not like any of their fans have to go to work on Friday mornings. Any franchise in Flint eventually spells disaster. Let's get Tropical...hahahaha.
Posted by: Okikibi | June 01, 2008 at 05:13 AM
13 Thursdays and 7 Fridays is no big deal in Flint. It's not like any of their fans have to go to work on Friday mornings. Any franchise in Flint eventually spells disaster. Let's get Tropical...hahahaha.
Posted by: Okikibi | June 01, 2008 at 05:14 AM
Justin,
The Midland Icehawks have in the background of its website the same screeching sound of the Icehawk that Port Huron uses to fire up the "crowd" at McMorran.
Very annoying sound effect....why would anyone want to copy it?
The schedule that Salvucci posted looks like it has everything covered, including a 12 day gap in January which would be around the time the Circus takes over the Coliseum.
I'm just surprised that if this is the ACTUAL schedule that it came out this early, when it usually is not released until July or August.
Unless there is another schedule in the event that another team is announced after the summer meetings June 22-25. Which I personally doubt....but very little surprises me anymore.
Posted by: Bob | June 01, 2008 at 09:25 AM
dont care how long it takes to build the league as long as they do it right!!!!
Posted by: chuckitt | June 01, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I don't mind the screeching Icehawks; but that site is annoying because it doesn't stop.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | June 01, 2008 at 11:31 AM
You can hit "stop" about half way down on the left hand side, that shuts up the stupid Icehawk!
Posted by: Hoss | June 01, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Cool. I scooped Cohn on something.
Posted by: SLB | June 01, 2008 at 05:12 PM
I Googled Greg Puhalski. According to DB Stats, its states he was DRAFTED but never played in the NHL. Wherever the person got his info from is beyond me.
Posted by: Karla Stranger | June 01, 2008 at 06:16 PM
I guess, if you want to call it a scoop. I would call it the Komets not having a clue on this one and the league being foolish for not having a full sked on the web site.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | June 01, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Totally off topic, but where's a good hotel in Kalamazoo? I have a friend heading up there this weekend and she's having trouble finding a place to stay.
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | June 02, 2008 at 11:28 AM
I just got the entire Komet's schedule e-mailed to me. Every home date that Salvucci posted matches what I printed off my e-mail.
Posted by: Bob | June 02, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Five Minute Major...I'm checking with a Michigan buddy of mine who may be able to help ya with the Kalamazoo hotel info...I think he is from Kalamazoo, but I'm not sure anymore...I'll let ya know what he says in a day or so. He lives here now, but still has family in that area. Hmmm...it's either there or Muskegon...I'll find out when he responds to my email...I'll let ya know either way, ok?
Posted by: Cat Eyes | June 02, 2008 at 09:59 PM
Thanks Cat Eyes! My friend is going up to see the Freedom play Kalamazoo this weekend, I guess she knows someone who plays for the K-Zoo team.
Posted by: FiveMinuteMajor | June 03, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Sorry, Five Minute Major...my buddy IS from Muskegon, not Kalamazoo...he did tell me that there should be a ton of good hotels in the KZoo area though...he said it's a fairly big city. He suggested she maybe hit the internet and try Travelocity or Orbitz or one of those sites, and she should be able to find something pretty easily. Sorry! I never remember where in Michigan he is from...I knew it was from a Komets rival city, just not which one!! Good luck to your friend!!
Posted by: Cat Eyes | June 04, 2008 at 09:20 AM