Komets gain four points for week 5

Fort Wayne, IN --  The Komets played three games in four nights for the first time this season winning two out of three for a four-point week. The Komets completed week five of 2012-13 with an improved 7-3-1 overall record and 15 points after 11 games and remain a point behind North Division leader Cincinnati.

The Komets began the week with a 4-2 win at Toledo Wednesday to remain unbeaten (2-0-0) against Toledo this season and followed with a 5-2 home win over Evansville Friday night to extend their win streak to five games. The Komets are unbeaten against Evansville this season after three meetings (3-0-0).

Saturday the Fort Wayne win string was snapped as the Komets surrendered the most goals in a game this season in a 6-2 setback at Kalamazoo. Saturday night’s loss at Kalamazoo was the first road loss in regulation this season for the Komets (4-1-1) and stopped a three-game road win streak.

Streaks stopped—Komet center Colin Chaulk (7-game point and assist streak), right wing J.M Rizk (4-game point streak and goal streak) and left wing Josh Brittain (3-game point and goal streak) each had point streaks before Saturday night’s loss in Kalamazoo. Komet goaltender Charlie Effinger suffered his first loss in five straight appearances.

Streak continued—Right wing Brandon Marino had points in each game of the week to extend his point streak to an ECHL season-high eight games (3g, 11a) and pushed his assist streak to six games (8a). Marino has had points in 10 of the 11 Komet games to date. Netminder Kenny Reiter returned to the Komets last week after a call-up to Bridgeport AHL and extended his Fort Wayne unbeaten streak (2-0-1) with a 5-2 home win Friday night. 

4500^th game—The Komets skated the team’s 4500^th regular season game since the Fort Wayne hockey club was established in 1952 Friday night Nov. 9. The game was marked with a 5-2 win over Evansville as NHL NBC hockey lead announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick joined Komet broadcaster Bob Chase in the booth to call the game on WOWO Radio. Emrick was visiting his native area while enjoying extra time during the NHL strike.

Milestone—Rookie forward Matt Firman posted his first career point (assist) in Wednesday’s 4-2 win at Toledo and scored his first pro goal Saturday night at Kalamazoo. After nine games, Firman is still waiting to be called for his first career penalty.

First 10—The Komets were 7-2-1 on the season after Friday’s home win for the best start since 2009 when they were 7-3-0 after the first 10 games of the year.

Komet leaders of the week—Brandon Marino (RW) led with five points (1g, 4a) while Josh Brittain (LW) and center Colin Chaulk (1g, 3a) each posted four points. Brittain led with three goals while J.M. Rizk (RW) followed with three points (2g, 1a). 

Komet leaders—Marino (RW) leads the Komets with 19 points after eight games. Brittain is tied with Marino at the top with six goals while Chaulk is even with Marino with 13 assists. Daniel Maggio (D) leads with +9.

Norfolk calling—Defenseman Nick Schaus was been recalled to the Norfolk Admirals of the AHL Sunday. Schaus appeared in nine games with the Komets during his stay and is tied with defenseman Daniel Maggio for most assists by a defenseman with four.

GAMES THIS WEEK

• Friday vs Toledo Walleye (6-6-1), 8pm—The Walleye make their first of seven visits to Fort Wayne Friday. It will mark the first time a Toledo team skated at the Memorial Coliseum since April 9, 1986 when the Komets defeated the Toledo Goaldiggers 7-3. It’s the third of 11 meetings overall this season with the Komets leading the series 2-0-0. Toledo was winless in four straight games before winning two out of three over the weekend. The Walleye are idle this week until they bus to Fort Wayne Friday.
• Saturday vs Evansville IceMen (3-9-1), 7:30pm-- The IceMen return to Fort Wayne Saturday for the third of six visits and the fourth of 11 meetings this season. The Komets have won all three previous meetings with Evansville including last Friday’s 5-2 home win. The IceMen are trying to get out of the North Division cellar as they trail division leader Cincinnati by nine points. Evansville will skate at Cincinnati Thursday before traveling to Fort Wayne Saturday. 

Hottest ticket in town-- Single game tickets and season tickets are on sale.  Single game tickets can be purchased at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketMaster.com.  Season tickets are on sale at the Komet office, 1010 Memorial Way, Fort Wayne.  For information visit www.komets.com, or call 260-483-0011.

COATS FOR KIDS STARTS SATURDAY—The annual Komets Coats-For-Kids holiday drive, sponsored by Kroger and 21 Alive, will begin with this Saturday’s Komet home game against the Evansville IceMen. It will continue at Komet home games Thanksgiving night and Saturday, Nov. 24. Fans are asked to bring gently used or new Kid’s coats, sizes 6-14, plus new mittens, hats and scarves to the Coats-For-Kids games. Fans will get 10 free chuck-a-pucks from Kroger when bringing an item to one of the three Coats-For-Kids games.

Friday nights are Marathon nights-- Continuing this year, Friday nights will be Marathon Nights at Komet home games.  Fans can take advantage of buy-one-get-one-free ticket offers for any Friday night Komet home game including the Komets’ home game this Friday, Nov. 16 against the Toledo Walleye at 8pm.  Fill-Up Cards are available at all participating Marathon stations.