PORT HURON, Mich. -- At the end of this post, you can listen to my postgame interview with Komets coach Al Sims. He's obviously upset, after his team lost 3-2 in overtime to the Port Huron Icehawks, putting his team down 2-0 in the best-of-seven series.
Sims was flummoxed that the Komets could control so much of the play -- almost all the third period and overtime was spent in the Port Huron zone -- yet Fort Wayne lost, courtesy of a Jamie Lovell goal.
He won it on a slapshot from 30 feet out, after winning a center-ice battle for the puck with Jake Pence. That set off a 2-on-1 rush and sent the Komets home flabbergasted.
Well, if you control all of that play and only score two goals, it's clear to me, it's about finishing. The Komets aren't the offensive team right now we're accustomed to seeing.
The Komets were upset about the officiating on many levels. The first of which was that referee Bob Langdon awarded only three power plays all night, even as players were getting mugged all over the ice. I'm backing up the league on this one. This is the best referee in the International Hockey League. We all like him because he lets the players decide the game. Deal with it. You can't complain about Jim Hawthorne and Kevin Graber calling 20 power plays, then complain again because the opposite happens. That being said, there was a lot of dirty stuff going on out there, particularly by the Icehawks. (That means you, Larry Sterling, Steve Hildenbrand and B.J. Adams.)
OK, then there were the two controversial goals or, depending on how you view them, non-goals. Jeff Zehr got one for Port Huron when the puck ricocheted off his glove and went in. It counted and it should have. He made no batting motion to put it in; it was unintentional. It doesn't matter if it goes off his nose and in; if it's not on purpose, it counts.
Then there was the Konstantin Shafranov supposed goal that didn't count. Shafranov believes it went in, just under the cross bar. I was the lone non-IHL person who watched the replay about 20 times, at various speeds, and it appeared to hit the cross bar. It was grainy and it was from high up, but I'm pretty confident. And I showed it to some other people I trust, who have played the game at a high level, and they agreed -- no goal. So correct call there, too, it seems.
In the end, the Komets aren't scoring. They've been taken out of their game. The superstars aren't discernible right now. And we're two losses away from the biggest collapse in Fort Wayne sports history, if you ask me.
Here's audio from Sims: Download sims_game_2_loss.WMA
Audio from Lovell after his game-winner: Download jamie_lovell_game_2.WMA
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
JC,
How about you do us all a favor and get the video that you're so sure was no goal and post it for the world to see?
Posted by: Brandon | May 04, 2008 at 12:48 AM
no doubt...I like JC, but I totally disagree, I'll take the words of 2 playes standing inches from the net. Those 2 guys are the only true people who know, and they say it was in. Its to bad they weren't asked thier opinions.
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Wow...Al was pissed. I can't blame him. The only thing I question is this...He said he wouldn't or won't change a thing about how this team played tonight. I can't believe this. You are down 2-0 to a team that has out-toughed you in the first 2 games. They are going aggressively at Guy and Co. on the point and there are always 2 guys attacking the puck. Al and boys need to find a way to counter this attack. Blaming the refs for not calling penalties is one thing, and I agree some things went un-called that should have been called, but the K's must find a way to move the puck around faster and find the open guy.
-We need to play more physical. That is a fact.
-We need to find away to disrupt Sterling. He is short-tempered. Put Henley right out in front of him and make Henley play like the man he used to be. If we take a penalty or two, oh well. We need to get in their grills alot more and change the tempo of the game.
-Bertram and Henley must start using their size advantage. Where have these guys gone.
-PC needs to start taking over these games. How many point-blank shots can this guy miss? Shoot it fast and stop lining it up.
-Woody and Hodgeman need to beat Margettie down everytime they are on the ice with him. Get into his head, and get him in the box. He will make stupid plays when you screw with him.
-We need to get back to being aggressive and forcing issues. We are being way too passive. Shoot the puck early and often...and go to the freaking net hard.
-If Terry Marchant is still on this team, he needs to start and needs to be in front of the net. He is very good at that role. We really need him. I and many others have from time to time questioned his hustle and speed, but he is a veteran that knows how to win. Insert him, and take out a D-man that is only getting a few shifts at most.
-Drop the gloves off the faceoff. I think it is time that we change things up and get the crowd going, the blood boiling, and turn this into a war. What do you have to lose? This is the Finals. Make your statement now.
Go Komets...Rant Over...Hit Somebody!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | May 04, 2008 at 12:57 AM
Hit, well said, except the KOmets dominated teh 3rd period and OT until they scored
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 01:04 AM
Domination would have been if they ended the game with the "3" under the Visitors spot on the board. We still aren't getting the breaks of putting away our shots on decent chances. The pressure that is being put on the puck by the IceFlags is killing us. That risk they take needs to be exploited. We need to reverse the puck and get it down in front of the net quickly. When they commit 2 players to attack the puck, that leaves us with a 4-3 advantage...someone has to be open and we need to find that someone and make them pay. Once we crack that pressure, Partly Urine will be in trouble. We might see a lopsided game tomorrow night if we figure this thing out. We might well see a 6-1 type of game. I think we will in fact. Then we go back to Poop Urine and steal game 4, 2-2 coming home...then it gets crazy.
The key is breaking that pressure. We can do it!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | May 04, 2008 at 01:11 AM
I don't have access to the video to post. I wish i did. I'm sure, like all things, it will surface. There also is a video from the other side of the arena, which maybe would show something different. I'm just telling you what I saw, along with a slew of other people. And Mark, give me a break, we did ask them. As our print edition will have, and as I eluded to above, Shafranov stated it was in. Don't tell me I wasn't doing my job. Did any other reporter from either town look at the video? No. they were all asking me.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 04, 2008 at 01:16 AM
Sounds like both Curadeau and Shafronov are 100% sure it was in. So I will side with them since this is a Democracy.
But game 2 is over...we are down 2-0, and it is time to play like there is no tomorrow. Enough female-dogging about calls and no-calls, shoulda woulda coulda goals or not goals....it is time to play hockey. The hockey that dominated the entire IHL season. This Port Huron team is game and their coach has put up a very good gameplan. But we are the Komets...we have a team that is more talented, should be more physical, and should find a way to crack Dracula's Gameplan (Drulia). We need to shine some light on Dracula and his boys and come out firing and pound them into the ice Sunday night.
Can they do it? Yes they can!!!
Remember to Hit Somebody!!!
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | May 04, 2008 at 01:25 AM
JC,
Where did Mark say anything about you not doing your job? All he said is that in this case he'll believe the players who were right there obviously as i'm sure many fans will. Settle down turbo or we'll have to start calling you Sterling
Posted by: Brandon | May 04, 2008 at 01:37 AM
Just don't call him Sebring....LOL
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | May 04, 2008 at 01:44 AM
No he didn't question his "job" per-see but he did ask about the lack of opinions, and they were actually given so Mark did jump the gun there.
Posted by: FWKRTJ | May 04, 2008 at 01:48 AM
Maybe I took it the wrong way, but this is what got me: "Those 2 guys are the only true people who know, and they say it was in. Its to bad they weren't asked thier opinions." It insinuated we wouldn't have asked them. I'm just telling you, we (Ben and I) did ask Shafranov and were the only ones who took the initiative to review video with high-ranking people, including the goal judge. I'm not saying it definitely hit the cross bar. As I said, it was grainy and a bad angle, and I wish I could see the other video in the building, but I saw what I saw and did it with my own eyes, not going off fans who may or may not be trustworthy.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 04, 2008 at 01:51 AM
no doubt, I never said you weren't doing your job Justin, as a matter of fact you do a great job. I just find it hard to believe that a video disputed what 2 players standing inches away from the play...all i said was those 2 guys are truely the only 2 people that know it was in....
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 01:51 AM
Besides, I don't think that's why they lost the game anyway. They lost because they couldn't get their offense going. And because they coughed up the puck in overtime. Two goals, three goals, regardless, is this the same Komets team we've seen all year?
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 04, 2008 at 01:53 AM
the 2 guys i was referring to was Curds and Shaf...those 2 guys are truely the only 2 guys that knew if the puck was in or out...
question for you justin...
If the IHL has a back up ref at each game for the finals. Why don't they just use both. That way something like this comes up, there are more than just 2 eyes on the puck at all times. Just a question for ya.
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 01:54 AM
This is the same Port Huron team. I guess the Komets are just playing that badly.
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 01:56 AM
No he didn't question his "job" per-see but he did ask about the lack of opinions, and they were actually given so Mark did jump the gun there.
I meant the Ref, but after I thought about it longer after I posted, they wouldn't ask thier opinion anyways. so forget I said that...
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 01:57 AM
Honestly, I haven't talked to any fans (including PoHo fans) who said it wasnt a goal..everyone seems to believe it was a goal. It's a bit much to think everyone, Icehawk fans included, would be saying goal if it was no goal.
We'll never know for sure either way and we need to put it past us and move on to Sunday's game and come out thirsty for blood in the form of a W
Posted by: Brandon | May 04, 2008 at 01:58 AM
For what it's worth, the arena janitors think it was a goal. ... Good question on the refs. Well, it takes a lot of practice and a lot of acclimatization for all involved to have two refs, so you can't just start it out of the blue. And some think it hurts more than it helps, so I would guess that's why. I'll try and ask Brad Jones when I see him, though.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 04, 2008 at 02:09 AM
Thanks Justin, have a safe trip home
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 02:15 AM
Justin, I'll give you credit. At least you're calling it as you see it (even if you have a Komet bias).
As far as the rest of the game, I personally think there were tons of calls not made on Fort Wayne cheap shots - moreso than the other side. In addition, there were at least 5 times tonight that the Komets either dislodged or tried to dislodge their own net. On Friday there was one so blatant a mite ref could've called it. It's a penalty. It's called: DELAY OF GAME.
Port Huron players were not taking cheap chots. The only reason you think that is because of the ingrained trait of your Russian and French Canadian players to flop all over the ice crying if they even get touched (and then not miss a shift, of course -- insert rolling eyes here). The same thing happens in the NHL and it makes me sick. Tell Shafcuradupdurdov to GET UP OFF THE ICE and go to the d*mn bench.
I mean we can watch Steve Yzerman in 2002 limp to the bench with a knee that had BONE GRINDING ON BONE, but God forbid Durcurduprinov gets a bruise on his pinkie, because he'll FLOP all over the ice.
The only difference in the officiating tonight vs. game 1 was that it was closer to the middle (but STILL tilted in Fort Wayne's direction). It's the common superteam theme: Your supposed to be better so you get the calls. Even if the ref isn't trying to homer for Fort Wayne, they still get the benefit of the doubt.
PS, I just love hearing your coach whine on that post game interview.
Posted by: TigerDan | May 04, 2008 at 02:50 AM
I wasn't always a Komets fan. I moved here from Indy a couple years ago, so I used to be a fan of the evil enemy Indy Ice. There were times this season when I was embarrassed at some of the favorable calls the Komets were getting, so I think I'm capable of being a little more objective that that flaming homo...er...homer, TigerDan. This series has not been one of the times where I could say I've been embarrassed by one-sided calls in the Komets favor. Not by a long shot.
That said, it's not the reason they're down 0-2. PH was just much better in Game 1, and apparently got the break in OT both teams were looking for in Game 2. The Komets simply need to be better in Game 3. Of course, that probably means poor Danny will be crying like a baby about all the calls his goon players weren't getting.
Posted by: Rob | May 04, 2008 at 03:21 AM
Do you think that the 2 Komet players are going to say anything other than it was a goal?
Posted by: Steve65497 | May 04, 2008 at 07:05 AM
At 5yrs. old I came home & was crying because I got punched in the nose and it was bleeding-my dad asked if it hurt to bleed-I said well NO-he said quit crying & DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT-I DID.K's hit back!!!Whats up with Henley roughing the mascot??
Posted by: mightbite | May 04, 2008 at 07:10 AM
I was at the game last night and I have a few thoughts. 1) The Komet fan in the Conley jersey taunting the Icehawks fans was classless. 2) The Icehawks outplayed the Komets. 3) The Franke's were walking through McMorran looking all smug, laughing all the way to the bank. 4) Some of you bloggers have all the answers and are quick to rip on your own team, and me when I mention the AHL. 5) If the Icehawks win the Turner Cup it will be good for the Komets as it will help keep Port Huron in the league, heaven forbid this league should fold and the Komets end up in oh, I don't know, the AHL. 6) If the Komets were a farm club, chances are you could be watching some former Komets compete for the Stanley Cup. 7) And for you Chicago fans who said the Blawkhawks "owned" the Red Wings, please note the Red Wings are onto round three while the Blakhawks are onto the back nine. 8) I am a Komet fan and always will be, but I believe they should be in a better league.
Posted by: Charlie in Rochester Hills, MI | May 04, 2008 at 07:55 AM
Maybe the K's should channel some the energy they spend whining and crying about the officials into some positive action on the ice. If not , this will be yet another in a long history of playoff chokes.
Posted by: Neal | May 04, 2008 at 08:33 AM
-putting the cart before the horse
-the "MIGHTY" Casey has struck out
-pride cometh before the fall
-that's why you play the game
feel free to add your quote of the day
Posted by: Amazed Komet Fan | May 04, 2008 at 08:46 AM
-putting the cart before the horse
-the "MIGHTY" Casey has struck out
-pride cometh before the fall
-that's why you play the game
feel free to add your quote of the day
Posted by: Amazed Komet Fan | May 04, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Al seems to always point how "the k's dominated the game"..He did that vs Muskegon but I am sorry I just don't see it. Complain, bitch, moan, cry all you want to Al the fact is we are down 2-0, have been out played, out hit, and out COACHED. Next, Brent Henley saying they had been robbed...Hey Brent why don't you step up and be a physical defensemen..I see to many quotes from you over the course of this past season and not enough action..
Posted by: ToeBlake | May 04, 2008 at 09:03 AM
Well, that post by TiggerDumDum settles it, he is the radio guy from PH!!!!! Bringing up the net popping off? It came off twice and once was from PH running it. Players flopping like fish? Two guys went down last night, and they both got highsticked to the face. Enough about stuff that doesn't matter!!!!
We need to drop PH from the opening face off! we need to show them how we took it to every team all year long! We need to stop worrying about winning the cup and play for pride! we need to hit them in the mouth and then hit it in the net! We need to be loud and proud! (And in the famous words of Wade Weaver...) *Pulls our mic and puts it inside my mouth* "LET'S GET ROOOODDDDDYYYYYY!"
We can do this! WE ARE THE JUNGLE!!!!
Posted by: Hoss | May 04, 2008 at 10:04 AM
TigerDan, I wouldn't get too cocky yet. The Komets can rip off four wins without blinking. Port Huron is poking a sleeping giant in the eye with a stick. Your going to wake the Komets up... and its going to be lights out....
Steve comes out of the Flint woodwork with some wit.. or something like it... How are Generals playing Steve?
It's a new day... The Komets win tonight.
Posted by: Jungle Monkey | May 04, 2008 at 10:07 AM
the party's over..........
Posted by: turn out the lights.............. | May 04, 2008 at 10:19 AM
A lot of good posts and comments..how about this analysis. PoH is doing everything they can to put pressure on our puck handlers, forcing us to move the puck quickly...forcing bad/hurried passes and/or turnovers. their defense has been what is killing us...well, that and our seeming lack of fire, desire, passion, and drive.
Simple: we need to be more physical. through some bodies at them. stop thinking this is going to be a cakewalk and start thinking this is the finals. if we dont, we'll be watching PoH scate on OUR ice with OUR cup.
Oh, and one last thing to all the jerk fans (opposing or home): how about exhibiting some SPORTSMANSHIP and just enhoying the game. I'd really like to go an away game just ONCE where i didn't see arguing and yelling amongst fans, and people getting tossed. How about we just sit back, love hockey, and respect each other?
Great work, opinion and analysis, Justin. Keep it up.
Ks in seven if we win tonight. PoHo in five if we dont.
Posted by: brandan | May 04, 2008 at 10:21 AM
ok, will the real komets players please show up tonight or do we need to call in for an amber alert. we need to get more physical, and win more faceoffs and keep the pressure on the icehawks.
LETS GO KOMETS
Posted by: bruce | May 04, 2008 at 10:22 AM
What did Conley do?
Posted by: Hoss | May 04, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Stevie Numbers!! You're back!! Happy to see you posting again, wish you could be a regular, like your perspective.
Posted by: St. Chris | May 04, 2008 at 10:52 AM
stat of the day=P.H is 19-4-4 since get margette.
Posted by: mightbite | May 04, 2008 at 11:01 AM
Newsflash Jungle Monkey.....Flint was Eliminated last week by Pt Huron.
I wasnt trying to stir anything up by posting a obvious comment....
Does anyone think Shraf would have said....No it didnt go in?
Posted by: Steve65497 | May 04, 2008 at 11:02 AM
"If you hit somebody hard enough, they will give up," Bob Sanders says. "You can feel their body go limp and they'll just surrender. So every time I hit somebody, the goal is to knock myself out. I know that if I hit somebody hard enough that I can feel it, it's hurting them 10 times worse."
Posted by: mightbite | May 04, 2008 at 11:10 AM
Tigerdan- how exactly was the officiating tilted in Fort Wayne's favor. PH 1-2 on the PP Komets 0-1. hmm...and one disallowed goal. Yeah, the officating is really tilted in Fort Waynes favor
Posted by: Mark | May 04, 2008 at 11:13 AM
The only way the Komets win this series now is going to be on home ice in a game 7. Fort Wayne is not going to win 4 in a row. If they lose tonight it is over. Actually if they lose any of the next three it is over. The only scenario I see them having a chance to win is to win the next three. At that point Port Huron probably wins game six at home setting up a game 7.
Both sides need to shut up about the officiating. Did he miss the goal? Maybe. The fact is he had no reply and nobody objective can be 100% sure it went in.
The rule is, if the referee( or with the help of the linseman) does not see the puck cross the line, it is no goal.
The only three complaints I had with Langdon was when the headlock takedown was put on the Komets player after the whistle and no call was made. Of course Komet fans did not complain when one of their guys went Claude Lemieux with a check from behind into the boards in the first period.
I would also love to know how the fight Hansen got into at the end of the second period where they paired off and threw punches apart from the rest of the scrum got no penalties on either side.
But you know what? That is brilliant. The period was over. Both players were going to have a chance to calm down. Langdon chose to let the break calm things down instead of putting 6 players into the penalty box.
Langdon could have thrown Henley out of the game for threatening to throw his helmet.
Langdon did his best to let the players decide the outcome. Maybe as a young official he let a little too much go but that is part of his learning process.
By the way, did anybody see what happened to him that caused him to have to get medical attention? I can't believe he called PH trainer over to the box to give him a massage.
Posted by: 3 blind mice | May 04, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Hit Somebody said it all in his post. I agree totally with you. Lets see if the Komets agree too come tonight.
Posted by: dnl | May 04, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Hey tigerdan if you think PH weren't making cheap shots what game were you watching.I'm just curious share with us what this higher up level of hockey you played.Please tell us all.
Posted by: puckit | May 04, 2008 at 12:12 PM
jc, you are correct, the komets 3 goals in two games and a turn over in overtime isnt going to get it done, its time to stop whining about the refs and go out and hit somebody!! its time to take it to them instead of sitting back and trying to draw penalties, take the leash off of woods and let him go out and kick some A!!
Posted by: gerry | May 04, 2008 at 12:13 PM
when the players are walking through the coliseum before the start of the game someone please remind each and every player to hit somebody. if they don't come out early and make a statement you can kiss the cup goodbye. its time to get physical. let's go komets
Posted by: Heather | May 04, 2008 at 12:17 PM
drop the puck, drop the gloves and hit em in the corners and stand in front of the goalie. be agressive. take a penalty if you have to but takem with you!
Posted by: chuckitt | May 04, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Hit Somebody!!!
Just do it!!!
Hit Somebody!!!
That ought to be the chant during warmups and pregame tonight.
Posted by: Hit Somebody!!! | May 04, 2008 at 12:28 PM
The only hitting they need to worry about is hitting each other with passes. Otherwise all of the physical carp won't mean anything.
Posted by: 3 blind mice | May 04, 2008 at 12:30 PM
I wasn't at the game last night and not sure if I'm going tonight.
Justin, not sure if I agree with you on Langdon. the issue I have is if a call needs to be made make it. I would rather players learn how to play the game by calling a penalty on them instead of cheap shots taking place. Of course the problem is there that there needs to be a uniformed way of making calls and that can't happen with the competency of the officiating in this league.
Charlie-The onny time I really disagree with you is when you bring up this AHL cra...er...stuff. Normally you have good stuff. Face it, it will kmostly likely never happen as long as there is more than one minor hockey league. And Conley classless??? NOOOOOO. Can't believe it.
Posted by: Greg | May 04, 2008 at 12:31 PM
How about we shoot the darn puck? Game 1 22 shots which matched PH and Game 2 33 shots which I'm sure just purely coincidence that PH had 33 also. What happened to the team that outshot the opponents every game? Put the puck on net and quit passing so much. And I'm sticking with HIT SOMEBODY!!!!! ROCK THE JUNGLE!!!!! LETS GET LOUD!!!!! and LETS GO KOMETS!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Heather | May 04, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Ref today will be Jim Hawthrone!!
If the K's play this game walking on egg shells the will loose plain and simple. If they are worried about getting a penalty for being physical they will loose. It is time to take a run at Sterling period, Margettie, Zehr Mr tough guy with a full gage mask on. This hockey club is on the verge of going from the Penthouse to the out-house in a matter of 2 weeks. This is were coaching makes a difference and right now Stan is making all the right choices.
Posted by: ToeBlake | May 04, 2008 at 12:48 PM