Fort Wayne, IN — The Komets have clinched the regular season title for the third consecutive season and fifth time in seven years, despite a 4-3 loss at Kalamazoo Friday night.

Friday night the Komets battled back from deficits of 3-0 and 4-1 but came up short at Wings Stadium as their winning streak was stopped at ten games and unbeaten streak halted at 17 games.  Konstantin Shafranov notched a pair and added an assist for a three-point evening.  Colin Chaulk also scored for the Komets and added an assist for a two-point night.  Komet netminder and IHL Goaltender of the Year Nick Boucher suffered his first regulation loss since March 6th, ending his winning streak at 10 games and unbeaten streak at 15 games.  It was the Komets' first regulation loss in April in three years dating back to 2006. 

With Port Huron losing 3-2 in a shootout at Bloomington Friday night, the second-place Icehawks (99 points) can not catch the Komets (102 points) who lead by three points with one game remaining in the regular season for each team as the IHL will close the 2008-09 regular season slate tonight.

The Komets will host Bloomington in the season finale tonight at 7:30 while the Icehawks skate at Flint.  The Komets still don't know their opponent for the first round of the Turner Cup playoffs.  The Komets will have home ice advantage throughout the playoffs and will take on the loser of the Kalamazoo at Muskegon game tonight.  Port Huron has secured a second-place finish and will have home ice advantage in the first round against the winner of tonight's Kalamazoo/Muskegon game. 

The IHL Turner Cup playoffs get underway next week.  Dates and times are yet to be determined.

Awards presented Saturday.....Prior to opening faceoff Saturday night, IHL President and CEO Paul Pickard will be on hand to present year-end league awards.  Komet President Michael Franke will receive the Executive of the Year Award, Nick Boucher will be presented with the league's Goaltender of the Year Award and Guy Dupuis will be honored with the IHL's Defenseman of the Year Award.

Also, the Komets will have their annual team End of Season Awards ceremony immediately following the game against Bloomington Saturday night.  Awards to be presented are Bud Gallmeier Memorial Trophy for Community Service Award, the NOB Brick Award for the Stonewall Defensive Forward of the season, the Unsung Hero Award, the Defenseman of the Year Award, the Komet Rookie of the Year Award, the Komet Kuarters Most Improved Player Award, the Wiegmann Family True Komet Award, the Mr. Hustle Award and the MVP Award.

Komet Playoff Hockey.....the hottest ticket in town!  Komet playoff tickets for the first two Komet home playoff games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketmaster.com.  Discounts on group tickets are also available at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way in Fort Wayne.  For more information visit the Komet office, the Komets' website at www.komets.com, or call 260-483-0011.

Komets.com.....The official website of the Fort Wayne Komets is www.komets.com.  In addition to featuring free webcasting of live Komet game radio, Komets.com also provides fans and media with up-to-date team stats, news, interactive fan features and information.  Fans can also follow all Komet games with real-time scoring via the IHL and Pointstreak by clicking the Scoreboard at Komets.com.