Komets Capture Colonial Cup

Published on May 5, 2003 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2) News Release

LAKE ST. LOUIS, MO--- The Fort Wayne Komets earned their first Colonial Cup Championship after defeating the Quad City Mallards 2-1 in overtime of game five to win the best-of-seven series, four games to one. The Komets also set a new league all-time attendance record as 10,593 fans witnessed Sunday's victory.

Komets right wing Dustin Virag notched his sixth postseason goal, and third game winner, at the 39 second mark in overtime of game five to secure the win and championship for Fort Wayne. Virag completed the 2003 Colonial Cup playoffs tied for first in league scoring with 18-points (6g, 12a) and led the UHL with a plus-12 rating in the playoffs.

UHL Goaltender of the Year (2002-03) and 2003 Colonial Cup Playoff MVP Tom Lawson backstopped the Komets defense, registering an 11-1 record, a league-best 1.68 goals against average (GAA) and a .935 save percentage (SPCT). Lawson posted a league-high two postseason shutouts.

Fort Wayne, in their fourth UHL season, opened the series with a 4-2 victory over the Mallards. Quad City managed to even the series with a 4-3 double-overtime win in game two. The Komets answered with three consecutive victories (4-3, 7-0 and 2-1 OT) to capture the city's fifth hockey championship in 51 seasons.

2003 COLONIAL CUP FINALS RESULTS
Game 1 April 25, 2003 Quad City 2 @ Fort Wayne 4
Game 2 April 26, 2003 Quad City 4 @ Fort Wayne 3 (2 OT)
Game 3 May 1, 2003 Fort Wayne 4 @ Quad City 3
Game 4 May 3, 2003 Fort Wayne 7 @ Quad City 0
Game 5 May 4, 2003 Quad City 1 @ Fort Wayne 2 (OT)
Fort Wayne wins series 4 games to 1

International Hockey League 2 Stories from May 5, 2003

• Komets Capture Colonial Cup - IHL 2

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