Komets fall in first game of finals 4-1
Port Huron takes 1-0 series lead

FORT WAYNE KOMETS GAME RECAP                      

Fort Wayne, IN  5/2/08 --- The Komets dropped the first game of the best-of-seven IHL Turner Cup Finals 4-1 Friday night to the visiting Port Huron Icehawks in Fort Wayne.

Port Huron's Kris Vernarsky took advantage of a Fort Wayne turnover at 4:48 of the first period to put the Icehawks on the board first while skating short-handed.  Icehawk Kerry Bowman slapped in a re-directed puck for an unassisted power play tally to give Port Huron a 2-0 lead at 7:13 of the first while Fort Wayne was skating two men short.

Komet winger Justin Hodgman scored the lone Fort Wayne goal at 14:05 to cut the Port Huron lead to 2-1 going into the first intermission.

Port Huron's wing Jeff Zehr registered the only goal of the second frame at 14:20.  Left wing Tab Lardner gave the Icehawks a three-goal lead at 12:28 of the third on another five-on-three advantage.

The Komets were 0-6 on the power play while the Icehawks scored two power play goals on four chances.

Both teams directed 22 shots on goal.  Netminder Larry Sterling posted the win for Port Huron while Nick Boucher suffered the loss for Fort Wayne.

The Icehawks take a 1-0 series lead into Saturday night's game at Port Huron at 7:30pm.  The Komets and Hawks will return to Fort Wayne Sunday for a 6pm start to game three.