Komets crush Kalamazoo 7-3

Fort Wayne, IN – The Komets cruised to a 7-3 shellacking of the visiting Kalamazoo Wings Wednesday night in Fort Wayne. 6,275 Komet faithful witnessed the Komets’ 12^th win of the season to improve to 12-9-1 and 25 points in 22 games. It was the most goals scored by the Komets in a game this season. The Komets cushioned their North Division lead over the Wings to three points as Kalamazoo fell to 10-11-2 after 23 games. The Komets moved to within five points of division leader Cincinnati as the Cyclones stumbled 4-3 while hosting Florida. 

Skater Josh Brittain (LW) highlighted the evening with his first Komet career hat trick. Left wing Luca Caputi netted a pair as forward Matt Firman and J.M. Rizk (RW) also contributed goals. Forward Brett Smith and Ryan Lash also recorded three-point nights with three assists each. Skater Nick Sirota, left wing Aaron Clarke and center John Armstrong scored for the Wings.

Netminder Charlie Effinger posted his sixth win of the season making 27 saves for Fort Wayne while Kalamazoo’s Joel Martin started the game and allowed five goals on 28 shots during a 40-minute appearance, eventually earning his eighth loss of season falling to 8-8-2. Wings goalie Brooks Ostergard started the third period in relief and stopped nine of 10 shots faced during the final frame of the game.

Wings return Sunday—Wednesday night’s match was the first of seven games for the Komets in 11 nights before the Christmas break. The Komets hit the road to Reading for a Friday night 7:05 faceoff against the Royals. Saturday the Komets will skate at Wheeling at 7pm before returning home to host Kalamazoo again Sunday at 5pm.