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CHL Fort Wayne Komets

Komets Clinch 52nd Playoff Berth; Mallards Here Wednesday, Gems Visit Friday and Sunday

March 19, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release


Fort Wayne, IN -- The Komets gained three points in two games played for week 22 to clinch a playoff berth and move back into first place in the CHL's Turner Conference as they enter the final week of 2011-12. Only five points separate the top four teams in the tight Turner Conference as the Komets lead Evansville by a point. The Komets lead third-place Rapid City by three points with fourth-place Missouri trailing by five points. Each team has four games remaining as they complete the regular season slate this week.

Last week began with the Komets dropping a 4-3 overtime decision to the visiting Laredo Bucks Friday night. It was the first Fort Wayne loss in five overtimes this season. It was also the third straight Komet game that needed extra time to be decided and ninth of the last 13 games. Komet newcomer Mike Vaskivuo made his Fort Wayne debut passing his first assist as a Komet on his first shift since being acquired off waivers from Wichita.

Saturday the Komets rebounded with a 5-2 win over Laredo to complete the home double-header against the Bucks and snapping a five-game winless skid (0-1-4) while extending their point-streak to four games (1-0-3) and improving to 37-18-7 and 81 points. Forward Vaskivuo scored the first goal of the game for points in each of his first two appearances with the Komets (1 goal, 2 assists) while winger Kaleigh Schrock netted a two-goal night for the second time this season. Netminder Gerry Festa earned his sixth win of the season in his 14th appearance making 19 saves on 21 shots.

Komets clinch -The Komets will be entering their 10th straight playoff season when post-season action begins the week of March 26. It's the 52nd time Fort Wayne has qualified for the playoffs in the franchise's 60-year history. Also, head coach Al Sims has not failed to put his Komets in the playoffs in nine years behind the Fort Wayne bench.

Milestones, markers and streaks -Forward Mike Vaskivuo has skated 196 career games and has a chance to reach 200 if he appears in each the remaining Fort Wayne regular season games. Right wing Kaleigh Schrock has skated 198 career games (all with Fort Wayne) and can reach 200 this week. The Komets are riding a four-game point streak (1-0-3) and center Colin Chaulk has a five-game point streak (2 goals, 6 assists). Netminder Nick Boucher is unbeaten in regulation five straight games (2-0-3).

Career year -Right wing Bobby Chaumont has a career best 42 assists and 64 points. Defenseman Frankie DeAngelis has a career high 17 goals. Skater Chris Auger has career highs of 26 goals, 26 assists and 52 points and Kaleigh Schrock has a career best 18 assists.

Komet leaders -- Right wing Bobby Chaumont continues to lead with 42 assists and 64 points....skater Chris Auger leads with 26 goals and defenseman Brent Henley leads the CHL in plus/minus with plus-29. Nick Boucher has a CHL-best 29 wins. Defenseman Bryant Molle leads CHL rookies with a plus-24 while left wing Stephon Thorne leads rookies with 3 short-handed goals. Jamie Milam leads CHL defensemen with 20 goals and 10 power-play goals.

Komet Ironmen -- Four Komets have appeared in all 62 Komet games played to date. Bobby Chaumont (RW), Frankie DeAngelis (D), Jamie Milam (D) and Kaleigh Schrock (RW) are the Ironmen with four games remaining this week. No Komet players appeared in all 66 games last year. Schrock also was ironman along with P.C. Drouin and Guy Dupuis in 2009-10 (76 games).

T.J. Miller added to Komet roster -- The Komets announced Monday that defenseman T.J. Miller has been added to the roster. The 6-foot, 4-inch, 220-pound blue-liner has been claimed off waivers from Wichita of the CHL. Miller, 25, was selected by New Jersey in round 4 of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft and made his pro debut with Trenton of the ECHL last season appearing in 22 games (1 goal, 5 assists, 6 penalty minutes).

Miller began this season skating 14 games with Rapid City before joining Wichita and appearing in 23 games through March 10. In a total of 37 CHL games to date, the Placentia, California native has a goal and 4 assists for 5 points and has accumulated 6 penalty minutes.

The week ahead -It's the final week of the season and the Komets have four games in five nights. Wednesday the week begins with a visit by Quad City at 7:30pm. Friday begins a triple-header weekend against Dayton to finish the season. The Gems visit Friday for an 8pm faceoff. The two teams meet at Hara Arena in Dayton Saturday night at 7:00 and the Komets return home to host Dayton in the season finale Sunday at 5pm.

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