Ice Chips 06'-07'

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Komets lead 1-0, as half-empty arena looks on

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- The Komets look good yet again and lead the Muskegon Fury 1-0, after Terry Marchant scored off a rebound late in the first period.

The Komets, who lead the series 1-0, still haven't allowed a goal to the Fury.

L.C. Walker Arena is pretty empty, I'm sad to say.

There have been a lot of penalties -- nine thru one period -- but Jim Hawthorne is the referee, so what would you expect? Although, I haven't disagreed with much that's he's called. But it is amazing that when he walks into the building, you can't go five minutes without a call.

• Click here to read as The Flint Journal continues to poke fun at the Komets, for some weird reason. While you're there, check out Jeff Zehr's dirty hit on Kris Mallette, which has made that Flint vs. Port Huron series, led 1-0 by Port Huron, awfully interesting.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Goalie swap: Let the drama begin

MUSKEGON, Mich. -- Greetings from L.C. Walker Arena. And thanks to the Fury organization for putting up a makeshift press box for the visiting media. Nice to not be hitting my head on girders.

Remember before the playoffs, when I waxed poetically about how a goaltender rotation might not be such a smart idea, especially if Kevin Reiter played well in Game 1? Well, call me a prognosticator because Reiter had a shutout in Game 1 and word is Nick Boucher will go in Game 2 tonight.

I get it. I really do. Alternating has worked all season long. But this is playoff hockey. You don't mess with a winning streak. If the Komets lay an egg tonight, coach Al Sims will have to kick himself for making the move.

All that being said, Boucher is solid. I have no reason to think, if he does indeed play, that he won't be excellent.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Sims was a potty mouth; K's win in OT

OK, the question on everyone's mind. What did Al Sims say to get ejected during Game 1 on Friday night?

So, let's ask Al. Al?

"I'm not commenting on it," he said.

C'mon, Al, have some fun. It is your 55th birthday, after all.

So, I went to Colin Chaulk, who was nearby.

"He probably threw a four-letter word out there and said, 'Call something,' and that was the gist of it," Chaulk said.

Yeah, well, that's not what I heard.

Reliable sources have said, there was a certain word involved that those who have seen "Bull Durham" will find familiar. What we do know is this: Sims was mad that referee Bob Langdon was letting too many penalties go uncalled.

This strikes me on a couple of levels. First of all, we finally get the best referee in the league here and Sims lights into him. That was unappreciative. I guess we can just pencil in Jim Hawthorne for Game 2. Secondly, I don't care what Sims called him, I can't imagine it was worth tossing a coach in Game 1 of the playoffs.

Moving on, with center Colin Chaulk coaching, with some assistance from general manager David Franke, the Komets won 1-0, to take the lead in the best-of-seven semifinals series.

Chaulk's wobbly wrist shot 15:13 into overtime was the difference. Ironic, considering it was one of the weakest shots Isaac Reichmuth faced all night long, as he had a brilliant 39-save performance. Fort Wayne's Kevin Reiter got the 20-save shutout.

Chaulk downplayed how much coaching he had to do, saying the Komets pretty much knew what they had to do and had their line-matching down. Franke, believe it or not, did make some moves, including sending Terry Marchant out for the 4-on-3 in overtime.

The best players, in order, for Fort Wayne: Mitch Woods, Chaulk, Reiter, Justin Hodgman, Brandon Warner, Luciano Aquino. For Muskegon: Reichmuth, Billy Collins, Dave Van Drunen, Philippe Plante, Cassidy Preston, Justin Rohr.

Well, it's been a long night. I'll write you from Muskegon, Mich., just after I wash Sims' mouth out with soap.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Wow, this is going to get interesting

Late in the second period of a scoreless game, Fort Wayne coach Al Sims has been ejected, apparently for berating the referee. I'm not sure what happened, but it came after Cassidy Preston checked Fort Wayne's Kevin Bertram after an icing call. Still, for this to happen in Game 1 of the playoffs, with the best referee in the league here, doesn't seem like it bodes well for the Komets or that Sims should have been so enthusiastic on the bench.

By the way, it's Sims' 55th birthday.

-- By Justin A. Cohn.

The story on Woods

Click here to read today's feature on Mitch Woods. In our print edition, there is more coverage, including a position-by-position breakdown of the series with Muskegon.

Comfortable with the goalie rotation? I'm not so sure.

I usually adhere to that old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't try and fix it."

This, for me, is an exception.

The Komets plan on continuing what they've done for most of this season: alternate their goaltenders, Kevin Reiter and Nick Boucher. Obviously, it's worked thus far. The Komets got 56 victories, 120 points, both franchise records, and steamrolled the competition.

However, this is playoff hockey and if there's one sure thing about that, it's a hot goaltender rules the days of spring. So what if Kevin Reiter goes out and pitches a shutout in Game 1? Still go with Nick Boucher in Game 2? I wouldn't.

I think you go with the hot hand, er, glove, and stick with it.

I know, there's something to be said for staying in the rhythm the Komets have created. And I'm not sure I totally disagree. But I do know we've seen some incredible runs by goalies in the playoffs here. Pokey Reddick in 1993. Tom Lawson in 2003. And if I were Al Sims, I would rather not have to question myself later for sitting a guy with a win or two under his belt.

But who knows. This is the playoffs and Sims may have some tricks up his sleeves we're not privy to yet. It'll all start Friday against Muskegon.

• I wish I could give you a lot of spin out of Muskegon, but the Chronicle hasn't done much. Click here to see beat writer Ron Rop's blog. And here's one preview of the series from the newspaper. And here's another.
• The Flint Journal has predicted a sweep by the Komets and a Flint win over Port Huron in seven games.
• And more less-than-witty use of the letter K by prohockeynews.com, which predicts Fort Wayne victory.
• Me? I've got the Komets winning in five games.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Reiter, Dupuis 1st team all-stars

Fort Wayne Komets defenseman Guy Dupuis and goaltender Kevin Reiter were selected first-team all-stars, after a vote among coaches, general managers and reporters. They were joined on the team by Muskegon defenseman Philippe Plante, Bloomington forward Don Parsons, Port Huron forward Tab Lardner and Kalamazoo forward Kory Karlander.

Making the all-rookie team: Fort Wayne forwards Luciano Aquino and Mathieu Curadeau, along with Port Huron forward Jamie Carroll, Kalamazoo defenseman Jamie Vanderveeken, Flint defenseman Nick Tuzzolino and Bloomington goalie Loic Lacasse.

Could the Komets become the Gulls?

Check out today's column about the lessons of the 1993 San Diego Gulls, which may benefit the Komets.

No changes to roster

As expected, the Komets didn't pick up anyone in the International Hockey League waiver draft on Tuesday. The two players Fort Wayne exposed, defenseman Maxsim Shirokov and goaltender Shawn Degagne, weren't picked up and thus become free agents. The only two moves: Flint grabbed former Muskegon player Chris Kovalcik and Muskegon picked up former Port Huron player Mike Olynyk. In other news, Fort Wayne's Kevin Reiter won IHL Goaltender of the Month and Luciano Aquino took Rookie of the Month.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Not going to Muskegon? Don't forget about this.

Click here to see information on an upcoming benefit game between the Fort Wayne Fire and Police Departments and some former Komets, including Colin Chin and Steve Fletcher. Of course, there are former Komets in the FWFD, including Kelly Hurd, Jim Logan and Parris Duffus.

Shirokov, Legault off the playoff roster

As I predicted, the Komets have left defenseman Maxsim Shirokov and forward Olivier Legault off their playoff roster. Shirokov will be available to other teams in a Tuesday waiver draft. Because Legault was placed on a non-roster spot, the Komets will retain his rights.

For most of this season, Shawn Degagne occupied the Komets' non-roster spot. He was the goalie who injured his shoulder before the season began and was ultimately replaced by Nick Boucher. Degagne will also be available to other teams.

The Komets can carry 19 players, plus two amateurs, during the playoffs. The amateurs will be Justin Hodgman and a new addition, defenseman Ken Dufresne, who had three goals and 32 points with Terrebonne in juniors.

The Komets will be unable to add any players in the playoffs, even if they lose, say, 10 players to injury. There is one exception: if they lose two goaltenders to injury, they can add an emergency goalie at that time. That goalie would have to be an amateur, so coach Al Sims' son, Tyler, is not an option.

Meanwhile, the playoff schedule has been finalized:

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

Game 2, Saturday, at Muskegon, 7:30 p.m.

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

Game 4, April 23, at Muskegon, 7:30 p.m.

Game 5, April 25, at the Coliseum, 8 p.m. *

Game 6, April 26, at Muskegon, 7:30 p.m. *

Game 7, April 29, at the Coliseum, 7:30 p.m. *

* if necessary

Now, I would have loved to be a fly on the wall for the negotiations about this 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 schedule. The Komets could have fought for a 2-3-2 format, but that would have left Muskegon with fewer weekend dates and that's where the money really is. So, and those who say Fort Wayne is bad for the league should take note, it seems the Komets bit the bullet for the financial good of another team. The downside is home-ice advantage is barely discernible here.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Congratulations, Flint, you won a meaningless game

The Flint Generals can gloat all they want -- and they did plenty as they skated off the ice Sunday -- but I fail to see why this was so significant.

It was a 3-2 victory for the Flint Generals, thanks to a Jason Cirone goal in overtime, but there's one reason the Generals won: goaltender Eric Marvin. He was stupendous in this game.

It ended the Komets' winning streak at 11 games. Snapped their home winning streak at 25. But the Komets went 22-0-2 in their last 24 regular-season games, including 2-0-1 in three straight games to finish the season against Flint, and this was reason to talk trash to fans while coming off the ice?

Cirone got his goal on a power play, after Fort Wayne's Kevin Bertram coughed up the puck at the offensive blue line and then had to haul down Michel Beausoliel to prevent a goal.

After the game, the Fort Wayne locker room was nonchalant, to say the least. Most said they couldn't have cared less about the loss. Others said if anything, it was a positive because it reminded them they aren't infallible.

I'm sure the spin out of Flint will be this: "You see, the Komets are beatable." Well, if anyone had doubted that, they weren't paying attention. Most of the Komets' games have been decided by one or two goals.

But the Komets still put together one of the best regular seasons in hockey history with 56 wins and 120 points. Six teams in the league or not, that was impressive. I wouldn't bet against them.

In other news, center Colin Chaulk was selected as the Komets' MVP after voting by the players. He took the same honor in 2004 and 2006. Interestingly, teammate Guy Dupuis was the runner-up for the league-wide MVP award behind Kalamazoo's Kory Karlander.

I'm not particularly surprised, though I think Dupuis is the MVP. I know some have pushed P.C. Drouin for this award, but from the players' perspectives, they probably wanted to reward someone who's been here the entire season and has impacted both ends of the ice a lot. Still, to me, that's Dupuis, but Chaulk's deserving, too.

The rest of the awards were voted on by reporters and front-office personnel.

Luciano Aquino won Rookie of the Year. Guy Dupuis took Defenseman of the Year. David Hukalo won the Stonewall Defensive Forward honor. Jake Pence won Most Improved Player. Kevin Bertram took the Unsung Hero Award. Mitch Woods won the Mr. Hustle trophy. Chaulk got the "True Komet" award for team spirit and positive attitude.

The News-Sentinel's community service award went to Pence and Olivier Legault.

• Looking for someone to blame for today's loss? How about the tandem of Evgeny Saidachev, who didn't play, and assistant equipment manager Andy Desmonds. Last week, I wrote about how the Komets hadn't lost with Desmonds wearing a lucky hat he kept nabbing from Saidachev's locker. Well, Saidachev didn't bring the cap. Desmonds didn't wear the cap. And the Komets lost.
• The first-round schedule between the Komets and the Fury has yet to be finalized, Komets president Michael Franke said, but we do know this much: Game 1 will be Friday at the Coliseum at 8 p.m., Game 2 will be at Muskegon, Mich., Saturday at 7:30 p.m., and Game 3 will be Sunday at the Coliseum at 6 p.m. (Note, that's later than the usual Sunday game.) You can count on a 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format, mostly because of conflicts at both arenas. That'll be brutal for anyone, including myself, who will be attending all the games. (Some other outlets are releasing "tentative" schedules. Don't trust them because it could change beyond Game 3.)
• I'd like to thank the academy ... I've been awarded a Dickie by The Flint Journal. Sweet. Although, I would point out comments are great, but readership is even more important. Luckily, Ice Chips gets plenty of both. And, by the way, Savage Thoughts is a pretty entertaining blog, too, especially when he rags on everything Fort Wayne. Although, Brendan, best addition? Uh, I think P.C. Drouin might have been slightly more significant than Justin Depretis, but that's just my opinion.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

It'll be the Fury

The Komets will play Muskegon in the first round of the playoffs.

Reminder: Tonight, I will be appearing on Indiana News Center's live "Sounding Off" show, talking about the Komets. They will be taking calls and e-mails, so I expect your participation. It will be on 7-8 p.m. on NBC 33 (Comcast 13).

Generally speaking, it could be 3 dull games

The Komets will finish the regular season with three straight games against the Flint Generals. So what should we expect from these games? Good hockey, but not physical hockey.

Even though these teams dislike one another, as Fort Wayne coach Al Sims pointed out, it's unlikely anyone will want to drop the gloves and risk injury in fairly meaningless games. Fort Wayne is locked into the No. 1 seed and Flint is almost set in the No. 3.

This doesn't mean the teams won't play hard. Fort Wayne has been on cruise control for several weeks and wants to make sure it doesn't lose momentum now. Flint had better want to keep improving after a midseason slide, although, if the Generals decide to rest players, that could change things.

Some have the notion that it might be good for the Komets to lose a game before the playoffs, so they realize they're not infallible. Believe me, they already know that. Besides, a loss at this point would do nothing but instill doubt in their minds about what could happen later on.

• Nothing is finalized yet, including who the Komets will face in the first round of the playoffs, but there's a good chance the series will have a 1-1-1-1-1-1-1 format. In other words, Games 1, 3, 5 and 7 would be at Memorial Coliseum. (The first two home games will be April 18 and 20.) I was so busy crying about the travel implications for myself, it took some co-workers to point out the obvious: Doesn't this lessen the value of home-ice advantage? Anyway, nothing's set in stone on this schedule yet, but it's clear the Fort Wayne Freedom having something to do with it because they're at the Coliseum on April 19 and 26.
• Things just get weirder and weirder in Kalamazoo. The Wings fired coach Brian Curran with three games remaining in the regular season on Tuesday. Then general manager Wade Welsh, who has no playing experience, takes the reins. They get crushed 5-1 by Flint, leaving the Wings two points out of the playoffs now, and they announce that Brent Jarrett will now coach the team this weekend. Jarrett was the IHL's MVP in 1982 and hasn't coached pro hockey either.
• Brendan Savage of The Flint Journal has a must-read story about the 3-star awards in the IHL. Click here to see it.  Personally, I think the 3-star awards are a great idea, terribly executed, since they're not given out at any arena by objective parties. (No, I've never had a part in any selections at the Coliseum.) More and more, teams like the Komets and Wings, use the stars as a way to interview players on the ice after games. That's fine, but it's disingenuous of the IHL to make on its web site like there's anything scientific about it. Sad, too, because I remember growing up and sitting in the Joe Louis Arena stands with my brother after games, just to see who got the stars. And, yes, I remember times when they all went to the visiting teams' players. Anyway, Fort Wayne goalie Kevin Reiter has gotten the most No. 1 stars in the league with eight.
• The Fort Wayne design-a-logo jerseys auctioned off to benefit Arts United raised $4,721.
• Reminder: On Saturday night, I will be appearing on Indiana News Center's live "Sounding Off" show, talking about the Komets. They will be taking calls and e-mails, so I expect your participation. It will be on 7-8 p.m. on NBC 33 (Comcast 13).

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

A glove is dodged and K's win No. 54; Sims gets Coach of Year honors

It was a wild night for the Fort Wayne Komets, who looked horrible early, dominant for most of two periods, but then collapsed by allowing two third period goals.

In the end, though, yet another Fort Wayne victory.

In overtime, where the Komets had yet to win a game this season, they got a goal from defenseman Guy Dupuis to defeat the Muskegon Fury 4-3 at Memorial Coliseum. Dupuis' goal came after some great playmaking by Matt Reynolds, who stick-handled behind the Fury net, around a discarded glove on the ice, then sent a pass out for Dupuis' one-timer.

Fort Wayne got its franchise-record 54th victory of the season, extended its team-record points total to 115 and brought the franchise- and IHL-record home winning streak to 25 games.

Just another night at the Coliseum, where fans were lined up hours before the game for Kevin Bertram bobbleheads. If they weren't among the first 1,000, they didn't get the collectibles -- I'm sure they'll be on eBay by the end of the night -- but they did get an exciting game.

Now, bring on three straight against the Flint Generals, who locked up a playoff spot with a 5-1 victory over Kalamazoo, which fired coach Brian Curran this week. Kalamazoo now trails Muskegon by two points for the fourth and final playoff spot, which will bring with it the dubious honor of playing Fort Wayne in the first round.

In other news, Komets coach Al Sims was selected as International Hockey League Coach of the Year, after voting among coaches and general managers. He took the same honor in 1993 with the Komets, in the first incarnation of the IHL, and that propelled him to coaching spots in the NHL, including one-year stint as the San Jose Sharks' head coach. Along those lines, and his age of 54, I asked Sims if he still harbors aspirations of moving back up the coaching ladder.

"Anytime you can get an opportunity for the NHL or the American Hockey League, I'd have to look at it," Sims said. "That's the ultimate goal for anybody. I've been there and done that. But obviously, if it came knocking again, I'd have to consider it."

• Mark your calendars: On Saturday night, I will be appearing on Indiana News Center's live "Sounding Off" show, talking about the Komets. They will be taking calls and e-mails, so I expect your participation. It will be on 7-8 p.m. on NBC 33 (Comcast 13).
• Interesting story from the Kalamazoo Gazette, especially knowing now that they lost their first game under interim coach/general manager Wade Welsh.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Wings fire Curran

With three games remaining and the Kalamazoo Wings one point out of the fourth and final playoff spot, they fired coach Brian Curran. Click here to read more.

Top honors go to Reiter and Aquino; Boucher 2nd in goalie vote and Dupuis 2nd in MVP

The Fort Wayne Komets have had a slew of very good goaltenders through the years.

This season was no exception.

On Tuesday, Kevin Reiter was selected as International Hockey League Goaltender of the Year, after voting by coaches and general managers, as well as by reporters. His teammate, Nick Boucher, placed second.

Reiter is 30-10-4 with a 2.31 goals-against average and .911 save percentage. His eight shutouts have tied the franchise record held by Kevin St. Pierre.

Komets right wing Luciano Aquino, who is second in the IHL in scoring with 86 points, was selected as Rookie of the Year. Placing second was Jamie Carroll of Port Huron.

Also announced Tuesday: Kalamazoo's Kory Karlander won MVP honors in a landslide vote. Fort Wayne defenseman Guy Dupuis, whom I was supporting, came in second.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Today's stories

Click here to read an evaluation of the International Hockey League's first year. (Don't miss the chance to chime in, as the box in the story states, at [email protected].)

Click here for today's notebook.

Langdon leads my list of top referees

OK, I probably gave myself carpal-tunnel in the process, but I wanted to try and figure out all the referees who have worked games in the International Hockey League this season and just clicked through about 300 game boxes.

Then I ranked the referees.

I think this is everybody. And I preface these rankings by telling you, there's nothing scientific about it. Just gut reaction when I think about them calling, say, Game 7 of the Turner Cup Finals.

The top spot was easy. Everything beyond that was a bit murky.

1) Bob Langdon

2) Craig Welker

3) Brett Klosowski

4) Kevin Graber

5) John Searle

6) Ryan Carroll

7) Jarrod Ragusin

8) Scott Bokal

9) Dean Sanborn

10) Mike Mondalek

11) Ken Gallagher

12) Jim Hawthorne

13) Derek Berkebile

   

I haven’t seen the following referees enough to even guess: Gene Binda, Joe Sullivan, Mike McCreary, Tom Steinel.

   

I'll leave the linesmen rankings to my loyal readers.

 

• For those interested, the IHL record for points is 132 and wins is 62, both set by the San Diego Gulls in 1992-93.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

A Central union

The Central Hockey League has voted to unionize with the Professional Hockey Players' Association. Click here to read more.

The ECHL is already unionized, as are the higher-level American Hockey League and NHL.

Now, I've heard from a couple people this could have ramifications for the IHL because not all the CHL owners are jazzed about having to deal with a union. Because the ECHL is also unionized, I doubt any teams would bolt for that circuit, meaning they could potentially want in to the IHL, go the route of junior hockey or, and this is really conjecture on my part, start their own league.

The IHL isn't geographically close to any CHL teams except Youngstown, Ohio, and there has long been speculation that Kevin Kaminski-coached team will wind up in the IHL. We can only hope.

• Did you catch this boxscore? Flint gives up four goals in a 35-second span, then loses 9-4 to visiting Bloomington.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Point No. 113: The Komets are really good

Left wing Konstantin Shafranov had the only goal of an overtime shootout and the Fort Wayne Komets defeated the Port Huron Icehawks 3-2 on Sunday.

That gave the Komets 113 points this season, a new franchise record, and they tied the team mark with their 53rd victory. And there are four games remaining in the regular season.

"(Shafranov) has got tremendous hands, the best on the team," Fort Wayne coach Al Sims said. "He can turn defensemen inside out, goalies inside out. (Port Huron) goalie Larry Sterling went out to pokecheck him and as soon as he did, Shafy put it in the net and made him look kind of silly."

The Komets, who won the Huber Trophy regular-season championship of the International Hockey League, have a 29-point lead over second-place Port Huron. Fort Wayne is 19-0-2 in its last 21 games.

• Luciano Aquino's point-scoring streak ended at 16 games, the longest in the IHL this season.
• For the third straight game, the Komets played one man short. Center Colin Chaulk remained out due to personal reasons.
• The Komets play host to the Muskegon Fury on Wednesday. Sims said it's pivotal that the Komets win, not just because it would extend their franchise- and league-record home winning streak to 25 games, but because it would set the tone against a potential first-round opponent. Remember, that will be Kevin Bertram bobblehead night, too.
• Click here to see information on an upcoming benefit game between the Fort Wayne Fire and Police Departments and some former Komets, including Colin Chin and Steve Fletcher. Of course, there are former Komets in the FWFD, including Kelly Hurd, Jim Logan and Parris Duffus.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

Cohn's crystal ball says ...

Let me look into my crystal ball and tell you how this season is going to play out. (Brace yourselves up in Flint, Mich., because bad news is coming.) In the first round, the Komets will play the Kalamazoo Wings.

Let me explain ... 

First of all, here's what the standings look like today:

Fort Wayne, 107 points, 7 games remaining

Port Huron, 79 points, 5 games remaining

Muskegon, 73 points, 6 games remaining

Flint, 73 points, 7 games remaining

Kalamazoo, 70 points, 6 games remaining

Bloomington, 63 points, 5 games remaining

We know Fort Wayne is locked into first place. Port Huron, which has been impressive winning seven of its last 10 games, isn't moving either.

Muskegon did much to determine its fate with a 2-1 victory over Flint on Wednesday, even if it's played one more game. Take the recent signing of star Jeff Nelson, consider that Clayton Pool has been a great goaltender, and the Fury will take third place. That should be a relief to Fort Wayne fans, since the Komets have struggled a bit with Muskegon.

Helping matters for the Fury is that the Generals can't seem to get it together. The firing of Kevin Kerr as coach has done little to improve their fortunes. They're getting healthier, yes, but that team waited way too long to make personnel moves and it's paying for it.

But here's the most convincing evidence the Wings will be in and the Generals will be out. The last three games of the regular season will pit the Komets against the Generals. I guarantee you, the Komets would much rather see Kalamazoo, which they've beaten in 12 of 15 games, than a talented Flint squad, which they've defeated in 9 of 12. The Komets will have plenty of motivation to gut the Generals on the final weekend of the season.

Meanwhile, four of Kalamazoo's final six games are on home ice. Two of those are against the Generals. And (insert a touch of sarcasm here), the Wings have a former Coach of the Year in Brian Curran and the Generals (insert more sarcasm) have the trifecta of Peter South, Steve Pronger and Jason Muzzatti behind the bench.

The Generals also have four remaining home games, which will help their cause, but I don't see them in the mix. The pride in me wishes I'd see things differently -- the Generals were my preseason pick to win the Turner Cup -- but I don't.

If things play out this way, I see Fort Wayne crushing Kalamazoo in the first round. And I think Muskegon would win a long series with Port Huron.

A Fort Wayne vs. Muskegon finals would be a nice seven-gamer, and I think the Komets would take it all. Anything short of a championship, after this regular season, would make for one of the most colossal collapses in minor-league history. How's that for pressure?

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

JG's fighter rankings

In case you missed today's story on fighting in the International Hockey League, click here. I had particular fun mulling over, talking with players and doing the rankings of the best fighters. Here's the list and I'd like some feedback.

The Journal Gazette’s ranking of best IHL fighters:
1) Mitch Woods, FW (22 fights thru March 25)
2) Robert Snowball, PH (12)
3) Olivier Legault, FW (22)
4) Jeremy Cornish, Blm. (9)
5) Kris Mallette, Fli. (16)
6) Donnie Margettie, PH (12)
7) Kevin Bertram, FW (12)
8) Brent Henley, FW (6)
9) Tyler Willis, Kal. (13)
10) Chris Kovalcik, Mus. (20)
11) Sam Miller, Blm (18)
12) David Segal, Mus. (22)
13) Jeff Ewasko, Blm. (17)
14) Ryan Jorde, Fli. (5)
15) Neil Clarke, Blm. (8)

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

What the Cups look like

The Komets have already clinched the Huber Trophy as regular-season champions of the International Hockey League. And the Turner Cup will go to the playoff champions of the IHL. I thought you might want to see what the new hardware looks like. The Huber is on the left, the Turner on the right. (And the Turner looks a lot like the old one.):

Let the awards shower begin

The International Hockey began announcing its awards Wednesday and, not surprisingly, the league-leading Komets were well represented.

Guy Dupuis was selected as Defenseman of the Year and he also won Most Sportsmanlike Player. Dupuis has 11 goals and 52 points in 62 games. He was the United Hockey League's Defenseman of the Year last season.

David Hukalo won the Best Defensive Forward award, after taking the same honor in the UHL last year. He has 19 goals, 42 points and a plus-31 rating in 67 games.

Both awards were selected by coaches, general managers and reporters.

Dupuis couldn't be reached for comment.

"Any award is meaningful, but for me it's not something I expect," Hukalo said. "But it's great that the coaches, general managers and media noticed my efforts and I appreciate that."

Asked what part of his defensive game makes him so good, Hukalo said: "I take pride in not getting scored on and not letting the other team score on the power play. When you've got a coach who puts you out against the other team's top line, you take pride in not getting scored on. You take defensive pride. And it's nice to still be able to do things offensively and get noticed for all of that."

Hukalo hasn't reached any conclusions, but he said he may play pro hockey for one more season. The Komets had better get him a contract offer soon.

Komets president Michael Franke won the Executive of the Year Award, as chosen by the IHL's Board of Governors.

In other honors: Kalamazoo's Wade Welsh won General Manager of the Year; Kalamazoo's Mike Modugno won Broadcaster of the Year; Port Huron's Martha Ewalt won Public Relations Director of the Year; and Bob Langdon won Officiating Staff Member (aka referee) of the Year.

Personally, I think all of these awards were spot on, except for maybe one: Dupuis' nod for most sportsmanlike. Certainly, Dupuis is very deserving, but I would have given the nod to Konstantin Shafranov of Fort Wayne. This shouldn't be all about penalty minutes, but for what it's worth, Dupuis has 73 minutes in 62 games and Shafranov has 10 in 64 games.

-- By Justin A. Cohn, The Journal Gazette

International hostility

Check out today's story on fighting in the IHL by clicking here. I'm sure you all will chime in on the ranking of best fighters.