Fort Wayne, IN — The Komets chopped the visiting Muskegon Lumberjacks 7-1 Saturday night in Fort Wayne in front of 8,134 Turner Cup playoff fans.

The win gives Fort Wayne a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-seven finals for the IHL championship.

David Hukalo netted the hat trick for the Komets to extend his point-scoring streak to four games (4 goals, 4 assists).  It was the first time in six years a Fort Wayne player scored three goals in a playoff game.  Sean Venedam was the last Komet to accomplish the feat in a 6-0 home win over the Elmira Jackals April 13, 2003.

Hukalo has pulled into a tie with Muskegon's Todd Robinson at the top of the IHL playoff scoring with 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) after eight games.

Also scoring for Fort Wayne were Keith Rodger, Justin Hodgman, Sean O'Connor and Mark Versteeg-Lytwyn.  Scoring the lone Muskegon tally was Mat Gens in the third period after Fort Wayne had mounted a 6-0 lead.

The Komets scored twice on seven power play chances while holding Muskegon scoreless on five man advantages.

IHL playoff leading goaltender Nick Boucher registered the win making 26 saves on 27 shots in his eighth straight playoff appearance.  Lumberjack netminder Kevin Armstrong suffered his third playoff loss allowing seven goals on 46 Fort Wayne shots.

The Komets extended their playoff winning streak to four straight games and have won all five Fort Wayne post-season games to date for an overall home winning streak of 13 games.  The Komets are unbeaten in their last 17 home games (15-0-1-1).

The Komets will continue the run for their second consecutive IHL Turner Cup Championship when the series continues for games three and four at Muskegon Tuesday and Wednesday at 7pm each night.  If a fifth game is necessary, it will be played in Fort Wayne Friday at 8pm. If needed, game six is slated for Saturday, May 9 at Muskegon at 7pm and a game seven would be skated at Fort Wayne Tuesday, May 12 at 7:30pm.

2009 IHL Turner Cup Finals Best-of-Seven Series at a glance
Fort Wayne leads Muskegon 2-0
Game 1:  Thursday, April 30, Muskegon1 at Fort Wayne 2, OT
Game 2:  Saturday, May 2, Muskegon 1 at Fort Wayne 7
Game 3:  Tuesday, May 5, Fort Wayne at Muskegon, 7pm
Game 4:  Wednesday, May 6, Fort Wayne at Muskegon, 7pm
*Game 5:  Friday, May 8, Muskegon at Fort Wayne, 8pm.
*Game 6:  Saturday, May 9, Fort Wayne at Muskegon, 7pm
*Game 7:  Tuesday, May 12, Muskegon at Fort Wayne, 7:30pm
* if necessary
All times are EDT.  All games are broadcast on Fort Wayne radio WOWO AM 1190 and webcast free at www.komets.com at Comcast KometCast.

Komet practice schedule in the week ahead
Mon. May 4........10am-11:30am at the Coliseum
*Thu. May 7........11am-noon at the Coliseum
*Fri. May 8.........10am-11am at the Coliseum
*Sat. May 9........10am-11:30am at the Coliseum
*Mon. May 11.....10am-noon at the Coliseum
* if necessary
Komets Schedule

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.