Ice Chips 06'-07'

The photos are in

Sorry they were put in the wrong place at first. Here are the photos from last night's game.

By the way, I'm scheduled to be on Talkin' Sports, on 100.1 FM, Saturday. The show airs  10-11 a.m. I'm also awaiting details, for our Port Huron readers, on when I'll be on Port Huron radio Saturday morning.

Finally, I'll have a short spot Saturday night on "Sounding Off," on Indiana News Center. That'll be Saturday, 7 p.m., on NBC 33.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

See, I told you they were going to win.

C'mon, you know I was playing the whole reverse psychology thing when I predicted a Fort Wayne loss tonight. It was all sarcasm.

Oh, ye, of little faith.

The Komets won 4-2 at Memorial Coliseum, trimming their deficit to the Port Huron Icehawks in the best-of-seven Turner Cup Finals to 3-2. Game 6 will be at McMorran Arena on Saturday night.

Yeah, thanks again league for that 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format. It's not like gas prices are high or anything.

The Komets were tense before this game and coach Al Sims tried to take the pressure off by stressing to his team they only needed to concentrate on one thing: Defense.

He didn't want them to think about offense, shooting, goaltender Larry Sterling, or anything but defense. The goals would come, he said, and they did.

It helped that the power play, albeit ugly once again, was productive with two goals after the Komets went 1 for 20 in the first four games of the series. It helped that P.C. Drouin netted a goal. It helped that Nick Boucher was solid in net. (If Sims doesn't start him in Game 6, I'd be stunned.)

And it helped that the Komets were more eager to avoid being a dismal part of history. It was pride. Lots of it.

But now they've got to do what they haven't in this series so far: Not put a stinker on the ice at McMorran. It would help if they started hitting people because they still didn't Thursday. It would help it Luciano Aquino played less tentative because they need his offense. It would help if they didn't cough up the puck in their own zone, as Sergei Durdin did tonight, causing a goal.

The Komets have a couple of days to devise a plan. And the Icehaws can stew over a missed opportunity. All the pressure's on Port Huron and the Icehawks looked mighty nervous at times tonight. A couple days of thinking about it could add to that.

Now I think it's coming back to Fort Wayne for a Game 7. But it's not like I'm in the prediction business or anything.

Why wait? Here's audio from Komets coach Al Sims: Download sims_game_5.WMA

Here's audio from Brandon Warner, who had a goal: Download warner_game_5.WMA

And here's P.C. Drouin, who had a goal: Download drouin_game_5.WMA

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Hey, a P.C. Drouin goal and a 2-0 lead

Didn't I say that Sergei Durdin would have a role to play? Well, I was a day late, but he just set up P.C. Drouin for a slapshot goal and the Komets lead the Icehawks 2-0 late in the second period of Game 3 of the finals.

Port Huron leads the series 3-1.

Fort Wayne has looked tentative throughout the period. Their passing has been off. Their power play woeful at 0 for 4. (Port Huron doesn't have a power play, by the way.) And their decision making just hasn't been good.

But this goal has brought the place to life and I don't see Fort Wayne blowing a two-goal lead at home. I don't think.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Komets leading 1-0 on Curadeau goal

The Komets came out a little tentatively -- they still weren't hitting anything -- but then a flurry of chances got them going. Mathieu Curadeau was the only one to put the puck in the net, during a power play, and the Komets lead the Port Huron Icehawks 1-0 after one period in Game 5 of the Turner Cup Finals.

Port Huron leads the series 3-1.

Curadeau's goal came seconds after Mitch Woods put one past Icehawks goalie Larry Sterling, only to see if ricochet off the far post and out. I think Sterling looks a tad nervous. But he hasn't been in this position before, at any level, I'm told.

The Komets really have rallied behind Konstantin Shafranov, the only player who's shown up in every game for them. He came out hard and really got the Komets going, in my opinion, tonight.

But, it's still too early to think anything's decided.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Boucher in net; warm-ups don't look good

As expected, Nick Boucher is in net for the Komets in Game 5 of the Turner Cup Finals, which Fort Wayne trails 3-1 to the Port Huron Icehawks.

I'm watching warm-ups and it's not good if you're a Fort Wayne fan -- the Komets are strolling out there. They might be nervous or they are just dispirited, tough to tell.

The only way I see Fort Wayne winning this game is via a great individual effort, like if Boucher turns in a shutout or if Colin Chaulk or Luciano Aquino just takes the team on their shoulders.

The referee is Bob Langdon, who doesn't call hardly any penalties, so the Komets would be wise to come out physically and set the tone. But they haven't done that in this series.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Check please

PORT HURON, Mich. -- The Komets were handled easily by the Port Huron Icehawks, who won 5-1 in Game 4 of the Turner Cup Finals.

That means by this time tomorrow, the Icehawks could be hoisting the Cup on Memorial Coliseum ice.  So will they? Well, this won't be popular, but I think they will.

Coming off the ice, sitting at the lockers, talking, the Komets didn't have the look or the sound of a team that had much belief it could come back. Sorry, but that's the way it seemed in there, which was quite different from the never-say-die attitude they fed me a couple days earlier.

However, I could just be giving you some reverse psychology here, and wouldn't that be wily of me to get your team going? After all, Journal Gazette columnist Ben Smith reminds me that in 2005, the Komets had the same postgame tone about them in the semifinals, and they came back to win three straight against Rockford. And the likes of Colin Chaulk, P.C. Drouin and David Hukalo, key figures in that 2005 comeback, are still on this team.

This is all about heart. Some guys, no doubt, may start thinking, "Hey, I don't really want to get on the bus for another road trip." Others know that being part of arguably the biggest disappointment in Fort Wayne sports history would be a dubious honor of which they want no part.

All I can tell you for sure is the Komets stunk up the joint tonight. They looked good very early but they coughed up the puck, missed defensive assignments, couldn't shoot into a wide-open net and I don't think I saw a decent hit all game. The third period should have been very telling; instead it coasted by with the Komets not sending much of a message by being physical. Were I a fan, I would find that particularly worrisome, especially from a team that claimed to have so much toughness.

To their credit, I heard Port Huron players not taking the Komets lightly going into Game 5. One said, "Let's get it done." Another, "They (the Komets) won't go down easy."

The Komets have been all about challenging themselves this season, even as they were dominating the regular-season standings. Now they have to meet their greatest challenge. But this dispiriting loss may have taken the life out of them. At least that's what their faces and their words said.

But actions speak louder than words. And only the Komets' actions will determine if this series goes more than one game.

• Speaking of Smith -- he keeps going on and on about the Komets. Do me a favor, bookmark the guy.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

What can you say? Komets are getting mastered.

PORT HURON, Mich. -- The Komets trail the Port Huron Icehawks 5-1 at the end of two periods. Fort Wayne is coughing up the puck left and right, not defending well and not getting great goaltending either.

They just don't look themselves. The rink has something to do with it, but more than anything the Icehawks are stifling them and the Komets aren't playing their game. And  where is the physical play? The Komets aren't hitting anything. At this point, they might as well get physical and try to get something going.

Meanwhile, the Komets have had a slew of chances at open nets and have done nothing with them. Brandon Warner, Mitch Woods and Terry Marchant all should have scored but were left shaking their heads.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Promising to unproductive

PORT HURON, Mich. -- A game that began with such promise has turned sour for the Fort Wayne Komets, who trail the Port Huron Icehawks 2-1 after one period in Game 4 of the Turner Cup Finals.

The Komets' Konstantin Shafranov opened the scoring with a wrist shot from 25 feet out and Kevin Reiter was gloving lots of close-range shots. But a power play resulted in a goal for Josh Aspenlind and four-on-four play brought a Jeff Zehr goal on a tricky wrist shot that seemed to catch Reiter by surprise.

That took some life out of the Komets, who trail the series 2-1.

During the intermission, there's a guy wearing a Komets jersey who's acting like he can't skate. First, I wonder if the Icehawks bought the jersey for the act. Second, I wonder if they'll try to return it.

Paul Costanzo of the Port Huron Times-Herald is doing a live blog from the game. And ubercolumnist Ben Smith of The Journal Gazette is here, too.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Reiter in net

PORT HURON, Mich. -- Just ran into Kevin Reiter. He will be in net for the Komets. So for those of you thinking Al Sims' breaking from his goalie rotation during the first round was a jinx, you can relax because he's not doing it again.

The Komets trail the best-of-seven Turner Cup Finals against the Port Huron Icehawks 2-1. The referee tonight will be John Searle, so I'm setting the over/under on power plays at 16.

By the way, I'm keeping on eye on defenseman Sergei Durdin in this game. I have a feeling he'll be a factor with either his offense or his giveaways. Should be fun.

Check out this drivel from the Port Huron Times-Herald. Seriously, Wikipedia as a source?

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

K's must master McMorran

Well, it's been a busy couple of days at Ice Chips. Record numbers of readership and record numbers of comments on a single post. But despite the pleas of some, I recant nothing. I still say it was far too quiet at Sunday's game and I still think you can be respectful and a good fan all at the same time.

But I digress.

So, the topic on my mind is what the Komets will do in Game 4 at McMorran Arena on Wednesday. (The Komets trail the Port Huron Icehawks 2-1 in the best-of-seven Turner Cup Finals, in case you haven't been paying attention.) Despite their success in the regular season, going 7-1, it's clear a rink that's 15 feet shorter than regulation causes the Komets some problems because they can't execute their offense as they normally do. The best way to see that? Watch when they try to set up P.C. Drouin or Guy Dupuis at the point. They don't have the time or spacing to get the pucks there.

I asked some Fort Wayne players about all this and they agreed, the Komets must play a different game at McMorran. One player pointed out that the regular-season statistics up there are deceiving because wonderful goaltending benefited the Komets.

• The Port Huron Times-Herald is on the Komets for their "diving. Click here to read it. Do the Komets do their share? Yes. Do the Icehawks, too? Absolutely. And there's no way you can tell me the Icehawks aren't playing dirtier. Just watch goaltender Larry Sterling's stick. I don't know why goalies get a pass, even if they're spearing guys.
• It appears, at least for now, that the International Hockey League will again play with six teams next season. Chicago will remain dormant after failing to come to an agreement with the Sears Centre. I still have a feeling there will be a seventh team bolting from another league to the IHL, though.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

A more familiar feeling as Komets win big, draw closer in Turner Cup Finals

Uh-oh, perhaps the Port Huron Icehawks have awoken the slumbering giants. Or, perhaps, it was just one of those nights.

Just when it looked like the Komets were toast, they came out with a more typical Fort Wayne effort, winning 5-1 in Game 3 of the Turner Cup Finals. The Icehawks' lead is down to 2-1, with the next game coming Wednesday at McMorran Arena in Port Huron, Mich.

Credit the Komets' mettle in this one. They didn't get rattled by the 3-2 overtime loss on the road Saturday. So often, teams talk about not giving up, only to lay an egg. The Komets actually delivered, even though the fans at Memorial Coliseum were in a somber silence for too much of the night.

Lot of credit should also go to Fort Wayne coach Al Sims. He made some brilliant decisions, including putting Justin Hodgman, Colin Chaulk and Luciano Aquino back together, inserting Terry Marchant into the lineup and going with Nick Boucher in net.

Hodgman had two goals and an assist. Aquino had three assists. Chaulk had one goal and one assists. Marchant had a key third-period goal. Boucher stopped 25 of 26 shots.

And the Komets finally got some traffic in front of the net, which caused problems for Port Huron goalie Larry Sterling. The Komets felt Sterling was gassed, having played three games in three nights, and was having trouble with his agility and rebounds because of it. Hard to argue with them on those points.

The key now: The Komets can't rest on their laurels just because they didn't turn in a dud performance tonight. The Icehawks will be tricky on their ice in Game 4.

And by the way, I don't think the Icehawks should be too down on themselves. Would they have thought they'd be up a game at this point, having played only once at home?

• Ben Smith was on site tonight.
• Click here to read the Port Huron Times-Herald's blog. Paul Costanzo started the night picking the Icehawks in five games and quickly made the strike-through.
• The Icehawks didn't make players available for interviews with their own media, I heard. The IHL shouldn't allow that, as far as I'm concerned. If players want to give the "no comment," on instructions from their coach, that's another story.
• On the Konstantin Shafranov shot from Game 3, the one that wasn't ruled a goal, I've heard nothing from league insiders that suggests it was, in fact, a goal. The people I trust most on the issue say it wasn't. The Komets, as you would expect, are still believing it was. Doesn't matter much now, though.
• Not to grandstand here, but I'm hearing from a lot of people in other towns about how awful some of the Fort Wayne fans have been. By other people, I'm talking about men, women and children, who are being harassed, threatened, showered with beer, just because they might clap because someone from another team scored a nice goal. Not all Fort Wayne fans are like this, of course, but for those who are: I think you should bear in mind you're representing not only a team's fan base but also the community with your actions. Just my opinion. It's a wonder other cities are ragging on Fort Wayne so much these days.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Some have a bad feeling; some think it's a conspiracy

Some in the Fort Wayne media contingent are muttering about having a "bad feeling" about where this is heading for the Komets. After taking it to the Port Huron Icehawks early, the Komets' lead is only 2-1 through two periods.

I still think the Komets are going to win, however, and it seems some from the Port Huron contingent can't stop complaining about how the officiating is so skewed in favor of Fort Wayne. Yeah, I've been hearing that all season long. It makes no sense. The Komets are the league's strongest team business-wise. If there were a conspiracy, wouldn't it be in favor of a team like Port Huron that's barely staying afloat?

Anyway, I can't believe how quiet this building has been. The Komets' fans seem more stunned and resigned to catastrophe than supportive. Hate to say it, but it's like a tomb in here for the most part.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Komets looking better -- much, much better.

Uh, yeah, wow. The Komets are crushing the Port Huron Icehawks ... so far.

Shots: 20-6 through one period. Score: 2-0, Komets lead.

Terry Marchant is in the lineup tonight, instead of Evgeny Saidachev. Lots more power plays awarded by referee Ryan Carroll.

But more than anything, the Komets are hitting, passing, looking more like their usual selves. It's still way to early for Fort Wayne fans to get overenthusiastic -- let's remember, they trail the series 2-0 -- but this doesn't look like a team that's ready to break out the golf clubs.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Complain all you want, if you can't finish, you can't win

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

The right call was made

PORT HURON, Mich. -- I watched replay of the controversial Konstantin Shafranov third-period shot about 20 times, at various speeds, with many people who know hockey. We all agreed, it hit the crossbar.

So, we have a 2-2 tie and overtime.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Tied at 2 and it's tense

PORT HURON, Mich. -- In a tense Game 2 of the Turner Cup Finals, it's tied at 2. The Icehawks just tied it up on a Jeff Zehr power-play goal. A Joe Markusen shot came his way and it redirected off Zehr's glove and in. I guess it should have counted because it didn't seem like he intended to redirect it and referee Bob Langdon, who I wish could call every game of the series, didn't hesitate in ruling it a goal, even as the Komets complained.

It's been pretty chippy. A lot of stuff going on after the whistle. That's why Langdon is great -- he lets them play the game.

By the way, Larry Sterling is such a hothead in goal. He's dirty and he never seems to stop yapping at the officials. Were I an Icehawks fan, I'd love it. I bet the Komets fans are sick of watching him, though.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

How you know it's small ice

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

Lots and lots of people ... for McMorran Arena

PORT HURON, Mich. -- Greetings and salutations from McMorran Arena. I will admit, I've been one of the harshest on the normally puny crowds for games up here. But this place is buzzing. There was a ton of people, from Fort Wayne and Port Huron, tailgating in the parking lot. And there was a line of Komets fans out the door. This will be exciting.

By the way, no surprise: Kevin Reiter is starting in net for the Komets and Bob Langdon is the referee.

• The Journal Gazette's coverage from the Komets' Game 1 stumble can be read here.
• Click here to read today's coverage from the Port Huron Times-Herald.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Icehawks win Game 1, thanks to turnovers galore

Someone from Port Huron asked me when the last time the fans at Memorial Coliseum had booed their own team was. Honestly, I can't remember, but it must have been in early December.

You know, before the Komets became the dominant team of the regular season.

On Friday, the Komets looked mortal once again and they were jeered once again. The Komets lost Game 1 of the Turner Cup Finals 4-1 to the Port Huron Icehawks.

How? Let me count the ways.

1) A huge amount of turnovers. 2) Not enough energy. 3) Not enough hitting. 4) No traffic in front of the net. 5) A huge amount of turnovers. 6) Stupid penalties. 7) A huge amount of turnovers. 8) Overconfidence, just perhaps.

The shots were 22-22. When was the last time that happened? The Komets averaged 40 shots per game in the first round. They gave up a couple of 5-on-3 power-play goals. A bunch of the star players were invisible.

Just an all-around yucky night for the Komets.

The Icehawks played a near-perfect road game. They didn't allow scoring chances. They capitalized on their chances. They frustrated the Komets. Going back to Port Huron, Mich., for Game 2 tonight on smaller ice, the Komets said they're readying to play hard against the boards. And the Icehawks said, since Fort Wayne played so well there in the regular season, they're taking nothing for granted.

The best players in the game, for Fort Wayne, in order: Justin Hodgman, Colin Chaulk, Mitch Woods, Evgeny Saidachev, Matt Reynolds. But really, it was hard to come up with that list. The best players for Port Huron: Kris Vernarsky, Tab Lardner, Larry Sterling, Jamie Lovell, Jamie Carroll.

The Komets really need P.C. Drouin, Guy Dupuis and Luciano Aquino to have bigger positive impacts in Game 2.

Click here to read the live blog of Paul Costanzo of the Port Huron Times-Herald.

This from Brendan Savage of The Flint Journal. And yes, he called it the Turner Kup.

By the way, with Robbie Laird, director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Kings in the building, this wasn't the best night for the Komets to lay an egg. Who knows, maybe he'll like Hodgman, who has one more year of draft eligibility left.

For postgame reaction from Fort Wayne coach Al Sims: Download al_sims_game_1_finals_loss.WMA

For postgame interview with Port Huron coach Stan Drulia: Download stan_drulia_game_1_win.WMA

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

I'd like to be exfoliated, please

I haven't see this much face-washing outside of a dog grooming salon. Seriously, players are ripping off helmets, scratching cheeks, picking other players' noses. Just dirty stuff, by both teams. But hey, it's a heckuva lot of fun. Thankfully, for the most part, they're letting it go. This is playoff hockey.

The ice is terrible. The Komets' playmakers are generally invisible. The goaltending at both ends is solid.

It's still Port Huron leading Fort Wayne 2-1, midway through the second period.

By the way, attendance is 7,473.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Looked legal to me

I looked at replay of the Fort Wayne goal. It's not a great view of it, but it looked like Justin Hodgman came out of the corner, lost control of the puck and it ricocheted off Larry Sterling and into the net. Then there's a kicking motion, but that came before the puck went in. So, I think it was a legal goal, I just don't know how the heck it went in.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Great atmosphere, great game K's trail 2-1

Nothing was working right early for the Fort Wayne Komets, in Game 1 of the Turner Cup Finals. They looked tentative and gave up a short-handed goal and a 5-on-3 power play goal.

But that seems to have awoken the slumbering giant. Actually more than anything, I think Icehawks fiery goalie Larry Sterling did. He slashed Mitch Woods viciously, twice, just a couple of plays in what has been a pretty chippy game.

Not long after, Justin Hodgman came out of the right corner, fell and somehow got the puck in. Sterling about blew a gasket, apparently claiming the puck was kicked in. He's so emotional, which may work for or against the Icehawks.

Anyway, Port Huron leads 2-1 late in the first period.

By the way, Paul Costanzo of the Port Huron Times Herald is doing a live blog. Click here to check it out.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Game on! Car! Game on!

Let the Turner Cup Finals begin! As I predicted, Nick Boucher will be in net for the Komets tonight. And the referee will be John Searle.

Lots of people in the press box. I haven't seen it this full in years. Commissioner Paul Pickard, vice-president Brad Jones and referee Bob Langdon, who is the backup referee in case something happens to Searle, are i nthe box. So is former Komets coach/player Robbie Laird, director of pro scouting with the Los Angeles Kings.

In case you missed it, here's today's story on Matt Reynolds, the Iron Chef of Fort Wayne hockey.

And, a bit belated, here's Ben Smith's story on the 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format.

• Tonight's game will be replayed Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 8 a.m. on Comcast 55 and Verizon 25.
• On Sunday, there will be a presentation made to B.J. Lomow  and his family in the amount of $6,500, raised in the charity game between the Fire Department and ex-Komets.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Words of inspiration

The Komets' practice this morning involved a lot of work on plays and technical skills. The players seemed focused but loose.

I was able to catch coach Al Sims' post-practice speech. He basically thanked the players for a good hard week of work and told them to enjoy being in the Turner Cup Finals.

He relayed some stories from early in his career with the Boston Bruins, about being in the Stanley Cup Finals as a rookie and thinking, after they lost, he'd having plenty of other chances to hoist it. He only got one but never won it.

So, the message was to relish the experience, whether the players were young or old, because chances like this don't come around often. Sims also told them not to take Port Huron lightly and that the first-round victory over Muskegon should have shown the Komets that they have to be at their best to win.

He also said if they win the Turner Cup, he's sure the championship rings would be something they'd cherish.

Kevin Hansen, who was struck in the head with a puck Wednesday, wasn't on the ice but was there. I'm not sure whether he'll play Friday.

• The Port Huron Times-Herald gave Ice Chips' readers some love, er, hate. Click here to see it.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Chaulk's story & predictions from around the league

Click here to read Ben Smith's story about what's been going on with Colin Chaulk on and off the ice.

And for Turner Cup Finals predictions from around the league, click here. Thanks to those who participated, even if everything/everybody didn't make the paper.

The Pepto kid

Nothing says playoff hockey like a bottle of Pepto-Bismal on the bench. I'm told it's been there almost every practice this season, though I'd never noticed it. So, which player guzzles the stuff every skate?

Mitch Woods, of course.

In equally important matters, several Komets are donning the traditional playoff beard. They include Colin Chaulk, Guy Dupuis, David Hukalo, Kevin Hansen, Mathieu Curadeau, Jake Pence, Terry Marchant, Kevin Reiter and Nick Boucher.

Also, because the Komets gave a couple of guys the day off, Olivier Legault, who was left off the playoff roster, was skating with the team.

To hear an interview with coach Al Sims from today: Download sims_wednesday_practice.WMA

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Scary moment at practice

Fort Wayne Komets defenseman Kevin Hansen had to be helped off the ice, after he was struck by a puck near his ear. Coach Al Sims said he believes Hansen will be fine come Friday's Game 1 of the Turner Cup Finals against the Port Huron Icehawks, but it looked like Hansen will require stitches at the very least. By the time I got to the locker room, he was already on his way to the hospital.

Regardless, Brandon Warner had better get ready for some more ice time.

The players were very loose at practice; many stayed out an extra hour just to mess around.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Putting the pressure on Curadeau

Thinking ahead to the Turner Cup Finals, who will be the Komets' most important players?

First of all, I think center Mathieu Curadeau will be pivotal. His scoring will be an obvious need. But more than that, his defensive play will be necessary against the Port Huron Icehawks' playmakers. And Curadeau is physical, which will come in handy, especially in the tight confines of the McMorran Arena rink.

I also think defensemen Brent Henley and Kevin Bertram will have large roles. They will have to keep traffic away from the Fort Wayne net and also pummel people in the corners. Again, at McMorran, they'll have the opportunities to do so.

Mitch Woods will have to do what he did in the first round: Agitate the opposition into dumb penalties. Some scoring from Woods would be good, too.

And of course, there are the obvious: Colin Chaulk, Guy Dupuis and both goaltenders, Kevin Reiter and Nick Boucher. P.C. Drouin will also have to be solid on the power play, as he was in the regular season.

• I've had some e-mails from readers wanting to know about a rumored fan-organized bus trip. If you have details on that  -- who to call, price, etc. -- please post them in the comments section.
• This was passed along to me by the Komets' front office:

  HOTEL & GAME TICKET PACKAGES - PORT HURON, MI  (IHL Turner Cup Finals)

  VISIT PORT HURON TO SUPPORT YOUR FORT WAYNE KOMETS ON THE ROAD.  STAY AND PLAY PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE IN PORT HURON THROUGH THE HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS AND THE FAIRFIELD INN BY MARRIOTT.  THE $89 PACKAGE INCLUDES A ROOM NIGHT AND TWO TICKETS TO AN ICEHAWKS vs. KOMETS TURNER CUP FINALS GAME.  CALL THE HOLIDAY INN AT (810) 987-5999 OR THE FAIRFIELD INN AT (810) 982-8500 TO RESERVE YOUR PACKAGE TODAY

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Finals schedule

Game 1, Friday, at Memorial Coliseum, 8 p.m.

Game 2, Saturday, at Port Huron, 7:30 p.m.

Game 3, Sunday, at the Coliseum, 6 p.m.

Game 4, May 7, at Port Huron, 7 p.m.

Game 5, May 8, at the Coliseum, 7:30 p.m.*

Game 6, May 10, at Port Huron, 7:30 p.m.*

Game 7, May 12, at the Coliseum, 7:30 p.m.*

* If necessary

Today's column

Can be read by clicking here.

Komets dominate and oust Fury; bring on Icehawks in the finals

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- The Fort Wayne Komets took care of business early -- they scored three goals on the first six shots -- and they treated it like business as usual after winning 5-1 Saturday night.

In other words, it wasn't the most jubilant locker room I've ever been in, mostly because the Komets felt they could have been playing this way all along.

But they didn't and so we had a more tense series than anyone expected, at least until the Komets won 3-0 on Friday and then whooped up on Muskegon in this one. The Komets won the semifinals series 4-2 and will face the Port Huron Icehawks in the best-of-seven Turner Cup Finals.

That series will begin Friday at Memorial Coliseum, team president Michael Franke said, with the rest of the schedule to be finalized on Monday. You can count on another 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format though, because of building availabilities.

I can tell you there is some disgruntlement from the Komets' organization that the Coliseum didn't set aside some Saturday night dates for them at this time of year. They've got a point, considering Fort Wayne has missed the postseason only once since 1996. The Komets, and by extension the fans, will pay for the lack of available dates. But I'm sure the Freedom football fans have been happy with the home games.

After dropping the first two road games against the Fury, the Komets dismantled Fury starting goalie Isaac Reichmuth on Saturday. They knew all season long he was weak glove-side and they exploited it, and he was yanked from a third straight start. I'm not sure what Fury coach Bruce Ramsay was thinking starting Reichmuth, after two strong outings by Clayton Pool. But Ramsay did a good job this season with limited talent.

As if Reichmuth doesn't have enough to worry about right now, the Fury's official scorers have him allowing three goals on three shots, even though the unreliable shot clock had six shots on the board when he was yanked. That won't look good on his record.

Speaking of surprise starters, Fort Wayne's Kevin Reiter was solid with 15 saves, one night after Nick Boucher had the 23-save shutout. I was flabbergasted that Boucher didn't start tonight and Fort Wayne coach Al Sims had a grin on his face about the decision before he hopped onto the bus.

By the way, I know some fans wanted to greet the team when it gets back into town. I'm estimating, it'll be back at the Coliseum at about 2 a.m., but, um, don't quote me on it.

Instead of players of the night, here are the players of the series. For Fort Wayne, in order: Mitch Woods, Matt Reynolds, Mathieu Curadeau, Guy Dupuis, Brent Henley, Kevin Bertram, Luciano Aquino. That's right, I think Woods was awesome in this series. For the Fury:  Dan Riedel, Jeff Nelson, Dave Van Drunen, Pool, David Herring, Kyle Kos.

The early feelings are that the series with Port Huron will be physical. And by the way, I thought John Searle called a solid game tonight. So that makes two well officiated games in a row.

And how about Sims? A year ago, he was out of a job. Now he's in the finals.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Complete and utter dominance ... so far

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- Even in a season of much dominance, I haven't seen the Komets be this commanding too often.

They scored three goals on their first six shots and are up 3-0 late in the first period against the Muskegon Fury, which has been outshot 10-1. Goaltender Isaac Reichmuth, a surprise starter for the Fury, was yanked after those three goals.

The Komets are all over them in every respect. The Fury looked asleep early on; it was unable to even clear the puck from its own zone.

However, let's remember, the Komets have blown two-goal leads in their previous two trips up here, both losses.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Big brother is actually watching ... the bus break down

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- All through these playoffs, I've been wondering why no high-ranking members of the International Hockey League were at the games evaluating things like the officiating.

Well, tonight, vice-president of hockey operations Brad Jones is attendance for Game 6, with the Komets leading the Muskegon Fury 3-2. The referee, as many predicted, is John Searle. So, I'm setting the over/under on power plays at 16.

Meanwhile, as I was making my third drive up to Muskegon in a week, I was thinking, "Hmm, I haven't see the Komets' bus broken down yet and that always happens this time of year." Sure enough, then I pass the team bus on the side of the road. Apparently, a window blew out on the trip, giving coach Al Sims a windy ride. They're trying to fix it now.

By the way -- Kevin Reiter will be in net for the Komets, even though Nick Boucher had the shutout Friday.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

'Best goalie in the league' leads K's to 3-0 victory; they're 1 win from the finals

After his team defeated the Muskegon Fury 3-0 on Friday night, to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven International Hockey League semifinals series, Fort Wayne coach Al Sims had this to say: "What a great time for the best goalie in the league to get a shutout."

Whoa. That was interesting on many levels.

First of all, it was Fort Wayne's Kevin Reiter, not Nick Boucher, who won the Best Goaltender Award this season. So it was interesting to actually hear someone voice that Boucher is superior. But secondly, it summed up the victory. Boucher was so-so in his previous playoff appearance, the 4-3 loss at Muskegon in Game 2, which was more memorable for Boucher getting into a mid-game scuffle with teammate Kevin Bertram, and this brought Boucher some redemption.

But it wasn't just him. The entire defense was solid. Much, much more like the Komets of the regular season, eh? So I would expect Boucher to get the start Saturday at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Mich.

If we've learned anything from this series, which has seen the home team win every game, it's that the Komets are a different team on the road. What they want to do now is not have the penalty marred, defensively absent hiccup in the middle of the game that's dogged them the last two trips up there.

I gotta say, I still think we're back here for Game 7 on Tuesday. Why? Because I don't get the impression Muskegon came away from this game thinking they can't play with the Komets, just because they were shutout. This was closely matched, it's just that Muskegon didn't get a lot of great offensive opportunities. But there were a few; it's just that the so-called best goalie in the league snubbed them.

By the way, the Port Huron Icehawks won the other semifinals series 4-1, thanks to a 4-3 overtime victory Friday. Josh Aspelind had the winner.

• Best players for the Komets tonight, in order: Boucher, Matt Reynolds, Brent Henley, David Hukalo, Justin Hodgman. Best players for the Fury: Clayton Pool, Dan Riedel, Dave Van Drunen, Bill Zalba.
• The Komets' Colin Chaulk lucked out in the second period, getting only a minor penalty for tripping, after he drove Kyle Kos head-first into the boards. I wouldn't have had a problem with a double-minor or even a major penalty. A couple of minutes later, Chaulk did get a double-minor, for high-sticking Dave Van Drunen.
• Kudos to referee Craig Welker for a game well called.
• Congrats to Bill Schwartz (aka Steve Fletcher), the Ice Chips reader who won the musical chairs competition in the second intermission. Cheater! I must give kudos to Hoss for his grab-the-chair -and-run-away-with-it method. And Conley? Wow, time for a diet if you're breaking the chair. Kidding, I'm kidding.
• Tonight's game will be replayed on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 9 a.m. on Comcast 55 and Verizon 25.
• Brace yourselves: I'm hearing if the Komets advance to the final, it'll be another 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 series. But that's just preliminary speculation and could definitely change. If I were the Komets, though, especially having seen what's happened in this back-and-forth series, I'd lobby hard for a 2-3-2.
• Check out this story from the Port Huron Times-Herald.
• Holy Toledo: A game with five overtimes? And it didn't involve the Washington Capitals?

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Scratches tonight

The Komets have scratched forward Terry Marchant and defenseman Ken Dufresne from tonight's Game 5 of the semifinals. I'm not sure yet if Marchant is a healthy scratch. Regardless, Evgeny Saidachev will be in the lineup for the first time during the playoffs.

Muskegon is going without Rob Kwiet and David Segal.

The referee is Craig Welker.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

The musical chairs lineup

During the second intermission of tonight's Game 5 between the Komets and the Muskegon Fury, there will be a musical chairs promotion involving several Ice Chips readers. Cheers to the Komets for taking notice of the passion of my Ice Chips minions and involving them in this. There are some prizes, including a team autographed stick.

Here's the lineup of participants:

Sarah Budd

David Budd

Robert Musser (screen name Hoss)

John Conley (aka Conley)

Jeremy Grogg

Brad Fuller (aka Hit Somebody!)

Janice Shepler (aka Janice)

Tina Mohr (aka Tina)

Tim Clark (aka FWKRTJ)

Brandon Spice (aka Brandon)

Bill Schwartz

Shawn Lang (aka Shawn)

Kris Haynes (aka Kris)

Alternate -- Joe McKenna.

Who wants in on the Pool?

Pardon me as I unglue my keister from my car seat. Yes, all this travel back and forth to and fro Muskegon, Mich., is grueling.

Anyway, sources have informed me that the Komets were pretty loose at practice, even though they're surprisingly tied with Muskegon at 2 in the best-of-seven series.

I have to believe that Clayton Pool will be in net for Muskegon on Friday at Memorial Coliseum. Normally, that would be OK news for the Komets, since they've done pretty well against him in the past, but he was solid in the Fury's 6-5 victory Wednesday, after replacing Isaac Reichmuth. And let's not forget, Pool looked like an MVP candidate for some of this season.

Never one to shy away from putting pressure on a player, I think P.C. Drouin has to become a pivotal player for Fort Wayne. If he doesn't produce in the next three games, the Komets could be in trouble. I also think Terry Marchant could have a big role to play.

• Maybe it's just because I'm a Red Wings fan, but this is sacrilege. The NHL is spitting on tradition with this one. Note to the NHL brass: You had better tell your beloved Versus network to stop using the octopus in all their commercial breaks if you frown on it so much. And check this out.
• The Komets never gave me a "lineup" for the musical chairs promotion of Ice Chips readers, which will take place in the second intermission Friday. So shoot me an e-mail at [email protected] with your real and/or screen name, if you're scheduled to participate, so I can let the fellow readers know who you are so they can laugh, I mean, cheer.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Komets lose 6-5, semifinals series evened at 2 games apiece

MUSKEGON, Mich -- Well, that was a horrible game to watch, an interesting game to cover.

The Fort Wayne Komets lost 6-5 to the Muskegon Fury in front of 1,565 fans at mostly vacant L.C. Walker Arena on Wednesday. It evened their best-of-seven semifinals series at two games apiece.

Both teams were understandably frustrated with the officiating. (I want to emphasize these comments came from both locker rooms.) Both teams said they just don't know what constitutes a penalty anymore and that the International Hockey League must get its act together when it comes to putting together a good playoff hockey product.

There were 33 penalties called by referee Kevin Graber. Fort Wayne was 1 for 13 on the power play. Muskegon was 1 for 7. The fans were incensed.

Enough about that, though.

The Komets' top-rated defense turned in one of its worst efforts of the season. It hadn't allowed this many goals since 2007. They were turning the puck over and, even though he stopped only 12 of 18 shots, I don't know how much, if at all, goalie Kevin Reiter was to blame. The game-winning short-handed goal from Jeff Nelson, his third goal of the night, was a little suspect. But Mitch Woods, who was covering him, maybe should have pressured him a bit more before the shot from the right circle, but that's nitpicking one play on a night of many mistakes by almost everyone.

And the Komets must get a hold of their tempers, whether the refereeing stinks or not. Mathieu Curadeau got a spearing major and game misconduct, although he didn't think it was deserved, and that cost Fort Wayne its top two centers because Colin Chaulk was suspended from this game for leaving the bench during a Game 3 fight. With those two out, then David Hukalo took a 10-minute misconduct for complaining about a call. With Hukalo, the league's best defensive player, in the box, the Fury got the game-tying and game-winning goals.

But let's be fair, the Fury is being equally foolish in its actions.

It really all came down to the defense. Fort Wayne's wasn't as good as usual and it cost the Komets.

This is why home-ice advantage is crucial, even in a series with a 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format. (By the way, have I thanked anyone lately for that jewel?) It's now best-of-three with two games at Memorial Coliseum, beginning Friday, then back here Saturday.

I have no idea which goalie the Komets will go with in Game 5. My gut tells me it'll be Reiter again, though.

The Komets' best player in this game: Brandon Warner, who filled in at forward. I also think Brent Henley has been really good. Other notables for Fort Wayne tonight include Woods, Kevin Bertram and Matt Reynolds. The Fury's best players tonight: Nelson; goalie Clayton Pool, who stopped all 27 shots after Isaac Reichmuth was pulled; Dan Riedel, who the Komets cannot solve; and David Herring.

Initially, I called Komets in five. Now I think this one is going all seven. Why do I think that? The Komets just don't look as composed as they did in the regular season and, truth be told, they haven't the entire playoffs.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Playoff hockey or poppycock?

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- The fans at L.C. Walker Arena, small in number they may be, are awfully restless. I don't blame them a bit.

Through one period of play, referee Kevin Graber has award eight power plays, six in favor of Fort Wayne. Whatever happened to letting the boys play in the postseason?

In a league that's begging for credibility, having both teams and all the fans flabergasted game after game by the officiating, it just doesn't bode well. It's not just the quantity of calls; it's that no one knows what constitutes a penalty anymore.

Rant over -- because the game has been even stranger. The Komets lead 4-3. It's been sloppy. Lots of turnovers by both teams. Some nice offense, I guess, and non-existent defense. At one point, there were four goals in the span of 44 seconds.

Fort Wayne has goals from Mathieu Curadeau, Luciano Aquino, Sergei Durdin and David Hukalo. Goalie Revin Reiter hasn't got much help and allowed the three goals on five shots.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Reiter in net -- for a 2nd straight game

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- Greetings from L.C. Walker Arena, where it seems the Komets are straying from their much successful goaltender rotation to ride the hot hand in Game 4 of their semifinals series against the Muskegon Fury. In other words, Kevin Reiter is expected to start tonight. He is 2-0 with a 1.33 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage. Nick Boucher, who is 0-1, has a 4.07 GAA and a .778 save percentage.

So far, this place is empty. Speaking of empty, check out this picture from Flint, Mich., the other night.

• Because Fort Wayne center Colin Chaulk was suspended by the league one game for leaving the bench during an altercation Sunday, the Komets have to play one man short of a full 19-player lineup tonight.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

6 teams confirmed for next season

The International Hockey League's Board of Governors announced that all six current teams would return next season. The dormant Chicago Hounds franchise could still come back, but it was given a deadline of May 9 to work things out with the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, Ill.

I hate to say I told you so, but I told you Muskegon wouldn't be going anywhere. And its interesting that the Hounds are negotiating with the Sears Centre, after all signs pointed toward them going to the Polar Dome at the former Santa's Village amusement park.

Of course, this is still pretty early and much could change over the summer and, with this league, usually does.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Hodgman a hit

Click here to read today's story on Justin Hodgman.

Chaulk suspended 1 game

The International Hockey League has suspended Komets center Colin Chaulk for one game for leaving the bench during an altercation in Sunday's 7-3 victory over the Muskegon Fury.

Chaulk will miss Wednesday's game at Muskegon, Mich., so I would expect Evgeny Saidachev to enter the lineup. The Komets lead the semifinals series 2-1.

Chaulk left the bench to discuss a negated goal with referee Brett Klosowski, not to join the melee behind the Muskegon net, which is why he didn't get the 10-game suspension required by the rule book for leaving the bench to join an altercation.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

No word on Chaulk; Ice Chips readers must unite

Still no word from the International Hockey League on whether Colin Chaulk will face any sort of suspension for leaving the bench during an altercation, during Sunday's 7-3 victory over the Muskegon Fury.

The Komets lead the best-of-seven semifinals series 2-1.

• I got an e-mail from former Komets forward Bobby Stewart, who wanted to pass along good luck to this year's team in the playoffs. Check this out. His Brantford team just won the Allan Cup, after a tournament of AAA teams from across Canada. Also on his team: Former Komets Brent Gretzky and Chris Grenville.
• And, let it never again be said that the Komets don't read Ice Chips. I got the following e-mail from the Komets, who have noticed all the interest on our beloved site and apparently want to get you readers involved. (By the way, last weekend's Ice Chips readership was at an all-time high, so thanks for reading.)

We're looking for a "Bloggers Dozen" (13) of contestants. The first 13 Komet bloggers from either Justin Cohn's "Ice Chips" blog or Blake Sebring's "Tailing the Komets" blog to compete in the 1st annual Technology Specialists Komet Bloggers' Musical Chairs Competition.

The first 13 who register via e-mail to: [email protected] will be selected to compete, during the second intermission of this Friday's game.

Registration must include:

Subject line: 1st Annual Technology Specialists Komet Bloggers' Musical Chairs

Name:

Date of birth:

Phone number (day):

E-mail address:

Seat location for Friday night:

Prizes will include a team autographed hockey stick.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

That looked more familiar: K's win 7-3

In a game that looked more like a Fort Wayne Komets game of the regular season, they defeated the Muskegon Fury 7-3 on Sunday night, giving them a 2-1 series lead in the playoff semifinals.

It basically was decided in three areas: The power play was solid, going 3 for 8; the Komets got lots of traffic in front of the net; and they were relentless at both ends of the ice, outshooting the Fury 54-22, including 41-8 through two periods.

Game 4 will be Wednesday at L.C. Walker Arena in Muskegon, Mich.

The Komets believe that, after throwing so much on net through the first three games, that Muskegon goaltender Isaac Reichmuth finally got fatigued and flustered. He was yanked after two periods.

• Komets coach Al Sims is confident Colin Chaulk will get only a one-game suspension for leaving the bench during a 10-player melee. I think he's being a bit presumptuous, though. Chaulk, who wasn't available for comment, was apparently wanting to ask referee Brett Klosowski why a goal had been negated earlier. If you see my previous post, however, the rule book states a 10-game suspension is mandatory. Sure, there's always interpretation and there is precedent: Bloomington's Don Parsons got one game for something similar this season. But you never know how the league is going to react to something like this. I expect one game, too, though two wouldn't surprise me. Neither would no suspension, I guess.
• I asked Sims if he's thought about straying from his goalie rotation so he could go with 2-0 Kevin Reiter on Wednesday and he said he hasn't thought about it yet. I would go with Reiter at least until he loses.
• Anyone else surprised, during that second-period scrum, that Kevin Hansen didn't drop the gloves and fight Justin Rohr? It would have been long-awaited payback for Rohr's hit-from-behind that knocked Hansen out for a month early in the season.
• Chaulk's point-scoring streak ended at 11 games.
• What a weird series, eh? Sims getting ejected. A weird OT goal. A fight between teammates. A game-winning goal that may never have gone in. A player getting booted for leaving the bench, when he didn't even want to fight. Fans getting into it, with players and themselves, behind the bench at both arenas. What could happen next?

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Chaulk could be in big trouble

The Komets lead the Fury 5-1 after two periods and have outshot the opposition 41-8.

But this could be bigger: Colin Chaulk got a game misconduct for leaving the bench during an altercation. Now, Chaulk seemed to just be going over to referee Brett Klosowski to plead that there had just been a goal before the whistle. But, according to rule 70.10, he could be in for a lengthy suspension.

The rule states: "The first player to leave the players' or penalty bench during an altercation or for the purpose of starting an altercation ... shall be suspended automatically without pay for the next 10 regular season and/or playoff games."

I would think the league will take intent into account, but I bet he gets at least a game or two for this, innocuous as it was.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Rockford copycats, Take 3

The honors keep rolling in. I'm an "uberblogger." Sweet.

In more important matters, is it me or is the Muskegon Fury starting to look like the old Rockford Icehogs? The Fury players should get some Emmys for all the spectacular acting and, strange thing is, the Komets are still dominating with a 2-1 lead and a 28-6 edge in the shots early in the second period of Game 3.

• Ben Smith writes about the Komets.
• Best Ice Chips comment I've seen in awhile comes from St. Chris:  "Come on, it's playoff hockey, expect the unexpected. Enjoy the ride and keep the faith, if you feel you're not getting your money's worth...well I guess you're investing it in the wrong thing."

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Not the craziest thing I've seen

So, given recent events, I've been wondering what the wackiest thing I've seen at a Komets game is. It's still Mel Angelstad of Kalamazoo kissing Eric Boguniecki of Fort Wayne, in lieu of punching him, in 1998-99.

That was crazy.

Kevin Bertram and Nick Boucher coming to blows Saturday ranks second, I think.

I'm shocked at the reaction of some that it's not that big of a story. It is for so many reasons, but here's one maybe you hadn't considered: Teammates getting into it during a game signals one thing to the other team and that's a lack of composure -- from the top team in the league.

I ran into a Muskegon official early Sunday morning and he told me the team had watched tape of the scrum. I got the distinct impression it was to get a huge laugh. And some from the Komets' front office seemed clearly embarrassed by the incident, so much so that they shooed me away Saturday night.

So now we'll have to see if it's a rallying point for the Komets or the first true sign of the team falling apart. I think it'll be the former.

As for tonight's Game 3, the referee will be Brett Klosowski and the scratches will be the same for both teams. I saw Justin Hodgman limping last night, so I thought maybe he'd sit. Apparently not.

My eyes will be fixed on Kevin Reiter tonight. If he puts in a good showing they can't sit him in Game 4. If they keep alternating goalies, though, wouldn't it be weird that Reiter would draw all the home games and Boucher all the road games?

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

A second look

To see the mid-game fracas between Nick Boucher and Kevin Bertram, click here. It's tough to judge a lot since we can't hear what's being said, but I tell you: I'd sit Bertram for a night after this. It's just silly.

Fighting, a disputed goal and a whole lotta penalties lead to Game 2 loss

MUSKEGON Mich. -- So let's delve into the most important question first. If two teammates get into a fight, should they get penalties for, say, unsportsmanlike conduct?

Personally, I think so. But they didn't.

During the Komets' 4-3 loss to the Muskegon Fury in Game 2 of the International Hockey League semifinals Saturday, there was a little tiff between goaltender Nick Boucher and defenseman Kevin Bertram. It happened after Boucher allowed a goal on which he said he was screened by Bertram.

"On that play, I was screened by my own guy," Boucher said. "And I said, not very nicely, for him to stay out of my way. You saw the rest of it."

The rest included a couple of punches from Bertram, who couldn't be found for comment. Then the linesmen had to separate them.

Boucher said they'll put it behind them.

"When you're battling in the heat of the moment, things like that can happen and let's chalk it up to that."

But that wasn't the only strange occurrence. How about 20 power plays? Three goals on 5-on-3 power plays for the Fury? Typical Jim Hawthorne officiated game, eh?

Yup, the Komets were focusing on one thing after this game -- staying out of the penalty box come Game 3 on Sunday at Memorial Coliseum. (I hate to belabor the point, but is Hawthorne the best the IHL could come up with? There were two games tonight? In the semifinals?) Anyway, the Komets did dominate the even-strength play.

On the winning goal, which came from Rafal Martynowski, after the Fury recovered from a two-goal deficit, the Komets claim it shouldn't have counted. The puck slipped by Boucher and Matt Reynolds swept the puck away from the goal line, the Komets believe, before it crossed the goal line. I didn't get a good look myself, so I'll leave that to their vision.

All totaled, this has been one weird series. And it could get weirder: I don't think I've seen the Komets as tight as they were after this game. Somebody had better pull a prank or something to get them laughing again.

The players of the game for Fort Wayne, in order: David Hukalo, Guy Dupuis, P.C. Drouin, Justin Hodgman, Kevin Hansen, Terry Marchant. For Muskegon: Dan Reidel, Mark Cadotte, Bill Zalba, Jeff Nelson, Isaac Reichmuth.

For Sims' postgame interview: Download sims_after_game_2.WMA

For Boucher's postgame interview: Download boucher_after_game_2.WMA

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette