PORT HURON, Mich. -- Yes, the McMorran Arena ice surface is 15 feet shorter than regulation. Every time I'm up here, I reminded of that so quickly.
You can tell because those races for iced pucks are so much shorter. Also, any time you play the puck, you pretty much have to be checked; it can't be avoided. Power plays seem longer because when the short-handed team clears the zone, it comes right back in. The neutral zone is tiny.
What do you have to do to win here? You can't make dumb passes because any mistake will be amplified. You have to be physical in the corners. And you absolutely have to keep traffic out from in front of your net because the goalie's going to be busy.
There are some empty seats here, but it's probably a sellout crowd. (Capacity is 3,262.)
- By the way, Ben Smith is blogging from the game.
-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette
so are they looking better tonight then they did last night or is the hawk d still giving us problems?
Posted by: Andy | May 03, 2008 at 08:05 PM
Both. They look better but the Icehawks look good, too. Great goaltending at both ends tonight, particularly at the Icehawks' end.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 03, 2008 at 08:12 PM
Justin, can you please go over and slap the PH radio guy?!!!? He is saying "The Komets knock the net off again in the middle of a scoring chance, like they will do at least 100 times in the round." What a bunch of BS!!!
Komets look much better tonight! I wish they would crash the net a little more, but we are holding our own.
Posted by: Hoss | May 03, 2008 at 08:17 PM
we're still not getting enough traffic in front of Sterling but we look a ton better than last night!
Posted by: Sidney Crosby | May 03, 2008 at 08:17 PM
yeah...I don't know if the Icehawks defense is as good as it was last night, Komets are just that much better tonight.
both teams had great chances and the goalies came up big....
Posted by: Mark | May 03, 2008 at 08:18 PM
The boys are looking much better than last night. Reiter is looking strong too. Too bad PC missed that one he should have had. Where has Woodsy been all night? I think he's only played one shift. I'm B2ing it and listening to Chaser on the side.
Posted by: Teresa | May 03, 2008 at 08:20 PM
I'm watching on B2. The radio announcer that is also doing the audio for B2 is getting on my nerves!
He has yet to say anything nice about a Komet player. Apparently Woods sucker punches people, Kevin fakes getting hit and any time an apposing team gets close to the net he bumbs it of the moorings.
In fact, according to their announcer, Komets have done that hundreds of times this season and never get called for it.
Sterling has made what looked like a couple of great saves, they've got to solve him.
Hey Justin, how about giving him a bit of a bump??!
Posted by: Pixelcraft | May 03, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Do you guys really think they look that much better than last night? Or is it just because we haven't given up 2 goals? I think we still look very very sloppy. Need more GOOD scoring opportunities like Drouin missing that point blank shot. Thought he had it but Sterling made an awesome save. Did you guys see Margettie sucker punch Henley and Henley did nothing? 2006-2007 Henley would have went nuts on him. 2007-2008 Henley just accepts it from that punk. Ticks me off.
Posted by: 55kometfan | May 03, 2008 at 08:21 PM
Not everyone can be as objective as yours truly. So many people here, Ben couldn't even get through the line to get a soda. Good news for McMorran. Bad news for him.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 03, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Their camera does not pick up the crowd very well. I'm not seeing or hearing much of KometNation on the B2. Hopefully they are cheering loud for our boys. Go K's!!!
Posted by: Teresa | May 03, 2008 at 08:22 PM
Yes, they look much better. They have had two good scoring chances, which is two more than last night and they are connecting on their passes, which is more than we can say for last night's game.
Posted by: Hoss | May 03, 2008 at 08:24 PM
Is B2 working Ok 2night? I had troubles with it when they played in Musky. Paid for it and missed most of the 1st period both times.
Guess it is to late to get it tonight.
Posted by: Melissa S | May 03, 2008 at 08:24 PM
B2 seems to be working fine.
Posted by: Teresa | May 03, 2008 at 08:25 PM
I had trouble with B2 in Musky too, but tonight it's fine. I think you can still get on.
Posted by: Sidney Crosby | May 03, 2008 at 08:27 PM
Justin
How many FW fans do estimate are up there?
Posted by: 55kometfan | May 03, 2008 at 08:29 PM
SHAF!!!
Posted by: Andy | May 03, 2008 at 08:34 PM
GOAL.....
Unassisted! Shaf
Posted by: melissa s | May 03, 2008 at 08:35 PM
I love the loud Komets fans! Way to support our guys.
Posted by: Andy | May 03, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Between 500 and 750 Fort Wayne fans, I think.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 03, 2008 at 08:37 PM
i have heard the komet fans on b2
yes komets score one to nothing go komets
Posted by: sue ann | May 03, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Markusen scores for the Icehawks...
1-1..how he is allowed to skate from the blue line in and score i beyond me...
Nice setup by the Icehawks..
Posted by: Mark | May 03, 2008 at 08:43 PM
yes we scored
Posted by: sue ann | May 03, 2008 at 08:44 PM
SCORE
Chaulker...
2-1
Posted by: Mark | May 03, 2008 at 08:44 PM
are the icehawk fans that gay they need to flap their wings after a goal? that's kind of lame don't you think?
Posted by: Heather | May 03, 2008 at 08:47 PM
are you at the game mark?
Posted by: harley | May 03, 2008 at 08:48 PM
are you at the game mark
Posted by: harley | May 03, 2008 at 08:49 PM
How is the play tonight chippy like last night, or is langdon keeping his whistle in his pocket?
Posted by: Andy | May 03, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Lets get that one back boys. You got this one.
Posted by: Heather | May 03, 2008 at 08:53 PM
No, I'm watching on the B2
Posted by: Mark | May 03, 2008 at 09:02 PM
jc, DID YOU GIVE HIM THAT LITTLE SLAP FOR US YET?
Posted by: Hoss | May 03, 2008 at 09:14 PM
end of 2..
tied at 2
Posted by: Mark | May 03, 2008 at 09:14 PM
Actually, I did say his listeners were a little tired of him whining. He then whined even more about how unruly and dirty and unsportsmanlike the Komets are. Maybe they are. Maybe not. But the Icehawks are pretty cheap, too.
Posted by: Justin Cohn | May 03, 2008 at 09:25 PM