Komets head south

Fort Wayne, IN --  The Komets will make their ECHL southern debut this week with a pair of games in Georgia. The trip will take the K’s to Gwinnett County in Duluth, Georgia, near Atlanta, for two games against the Gwinnett Gladiators. Faceoffs at The Arena at Gwinnett Center (11,355) are slated for Wednesday at 7:05pm and Friday at 7:30pm.

The Komets and Gladiators split a previous pair of games in Fort Wayne Oct. 26 and 27. Following a 4-2 loss to the Gladiators Oct. 26 the Komets rebounded with a 1-0 shutout victory the following night. The season series will conclude when Gwinnett makes a return visit to Fort Wayne Jan. 2.

How they stand—The Komets (8-7-1, 17 pts) trail North Division leader Toledo by six points while South Division leader Gwinnett (14-4-1) leads the ECHL with 29 points and is riding a three-game win string. The Gladiators have lost one game in 12 since their loss at Fort Wayne Oct. 27.

About last week—The Komets completed week seven of 2012-13 gaining two points in three games played (1-2-0). The Komets began the week celebrating a 4-3 win over the visiting Kalamazoo Wings marking their fifth straight Thanksgiving victory. The Komets improved to 33-15-4 over 52 home games on the holiday evening.

Friday, the Komets stumbled 5-2 in the second half of a home-and-home holiday series at Kalamazoo. It’s the first time this season the Komets have lost two straight road games.

Saturday the Komets were doubled-up by the Toledo Walleye 4-2 in Fort Wayne completing a set of three games in three nights over the Thanksgiving holiday.

For the week, newcomer Gabe Guentzel (D), assigned to the Komets by Norfolk of the AHL prior to Thursday night’s game, scored a goal and three assists. Also posting a four-point week was right wing Brandon Marino with a goal and three assists…..Right wingers J.M. Rizk and Thomas Beauregard each scored a pair of goals…Forward Matt Firman notched his first pro multi-goal game scoring both Komet goals in the 4-2 home setback Saturday against Toledo. 

Attracting a crowd—The Komets attracted crowds of 7,479 (Thursday) and 7,526 (Saturday) for a total attendance of 15,005 over the two holiday games of the week and lead the ECHL after nine home games with an average attendance of 8,002. Ontario ranks second with 7,089 and Orlando draws a third-best average home crowd of 6,104.

Milestones—Right wing Thomas Beauregard scored his 100^th career ECHL goal (regular season and playoffs), the game winner Thanksgiving night in Fort Wayne….Guentzel netted his first pro goal in Fort Wayne’s 4-3 Thanksgiving win….rookie defenseman Scott Kishel posted his first pro point (assist) Friday at Kalamazoo.
Grand Center—Komet center and assistant coach Colin Chaulk has 996 career points (regular season) in 896 career games.

Komet leaders—Brandon Marino (RW) leads the Komets with seven goals, 16 assists and 23 points. Defensemen Brent Henley and Daniel Maggio each lead with +9. Goaltender Kenny Reiter appeared in two of the three games played (1-1-0) stopping 65 of 73 shots for a 4.00 goals-against average and .890 save percentage and leads Komet netminders with 2.19 goals-against average and .931 save percentage.

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.