ECHL Fort Wayne Komets

Komets Grab Pair of Games; Royals Visit for Weekend Double-Header

Published on December 16, 2013 under ECHL (ECHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release


Fort Wayne, IN --- The Komets gained four points on division rivals for week nine of 2013-14 and improved to 10-8-4 and 24 points. Fort Wayne moves into a tie with Kalamazoo for third place in the ECHL's North Division and trails leader Cincinnati by five points after 22 games.

After being idle during the week, the Komets collected a 4-1 win at Kalamazoo Saturday. Newcomer Mike Embach (LW) led the charge scoring a goal and adding two assists to make a good impression in his first game with Fort Wayne. Kaleigh Schrock (RW), Brandon Marino (RW) and Chris Auger (C) also scored for the Komets. Goaltender Andrey Makarov earned the win in his third straight start making 34 saves. The Komets are now 1-1-0 against Kalamazoo after two meetings with a dozen meetings remaining this season.

The Komets upended the visiting Evansville IceMen 4-1 in the first of seven Sunday home games this year. Auger continued his scoring prowess for the weekend with a pair of goals. Scott Fleming (LW) netted his eighth goal of the season while Marino scored the game winner. Netminder Cody Reichard earned his second win of the season stopping 40 of 41 shots. It was the first of three visits by the IceMen this season. The Komets are an even 2-2-0 in the season series with Evansville with five meetings remaining.

The week ahead-- The Komets will stay home this week for two games before the Christmas break, both against the defending ECHL Kelly Cup Champion Reading Royals. Friday the Komets welcome the Royals for an 8pm start. Saturday the Komets face Reading at 7:30pm.

Komet leaders of the week-- Marino with two goals and three assists for a five-point gain in the two games played.....Embach with a goal and three assists for a four-point start with the Komets since joining Fort Wayne through a trade with Gwinnett.....Auger also led the Komets with three goals......Marino, Embach and Auger registered points in each of the two games.

Komet leaders-- Marino leads with 28 points....Marino and Vaskivuo are tied with 17 assists.....Mickey Lang (C) leads with 16 goals.....Fleming leads with +11.....Schrock has the most penalty minutes with 69.

Streaking Komets-- The Komets have a successful streak of 10 straight penalty kills over the past three games.....Marino has a six-game point streak (6g, 5a) and three-game assist streak (4a).....Embach has a six-game personal point streak (5g, 4a) after scoring points in each of his last four games with Gwinnett before tallying points in each of his first two Komet games.....Cody Reichard (G) is unbeaten in three straight games (2-0-1).

Teddy Bear Toss tops 1,500 for charity-- The Komets' first annual Holiday Teddy Bear Toss Sunday was a huge success as over 1,500 teddy bears and stuffed animals of all kinds, shapes and sizes were hurled onto the ice after the Komets' first goal. It didn't take long. Skater Chris Auger scored the Komets' first goal only 49 seconds into the first period and launched an early barrage of flying stuffed animals. The Disorderly Bear Den of Good Bears of the World will distribute each teddy bear and stuffed animal to abused, traumatized or at-risk children and lonely adults in the Fort Wayne area.

Friday nights are Marathon nights-- Continuing this year, Friday nights are Marathon Nights at Komet home games. Fans can take advantage of buy-one-get-one-free ticket offers for any Friday night Komet home game including this Friday night when the Komets host the Reading Royals at 8:00. Fill-Up Cards are available at all participating Marathon stations.

Operation Komet Care Package-- The Komets once again present Operation Komet Care Package this holiday season at three upcoming Komet home games. Beginning Friday, Dec. 27 when the Komets host the Toledo Walleye, fans can bring donations of books, magazines, DVD's, snacks, T-shirts, toiletries, wrapped hard candies, sanitizers, wet wipes and more for our troops overseas. Donations will also be accepted at Komet home games Sunday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, New Year's Eve.

Ken Ullyot passes-- Thursday, Dec. 12, it was announced that former Komets executive, owner, GM and coach Ken Ullyot passed away at the age of 92. Ullyot first arrived in Fort Wayne to coach the Komets in 1958 and remained a resident of Fort Wayne for 55 years with his family. Ullyot served in parts of four decades with the Komets, managing some of the best years of Komet Hockey. Services have been announced and are as follows: Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18, at D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave., with calling one hour prior. Calling will also be 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Riverview Cemetery, Churubusco. Memorials may be made to the Fort Wayne Youth Hockey or the SPCA. To sign the online guest book, go to www.mccombandsons.com . The initials K.D.U. will be worn on Komet jerseys for the remainder of the season in honor of Mr. Kenneth Duncan Ullyot.

Hottest Ticket In Town-- Komet single game tickets and season tickets are on sale. Single game tickets can be purchased at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Season tickets are on sale at the Komet office, 1010 Memorial Way, Fort Wayne. For ticket information visit komets.com or call the Komet office at 260-483-0011.

Komet hockey on WOWO, and Xfinity KometCast-- The legendary Bob Chase is celebrating his 61st consecutive season behind the Komet microphone. Fans can follow the action radio rinkside on WOWO Radio AM 1190 and FM 92.3. All broadcasts, home and away, can also be heard worldwide at www.komets.com at Xfinity KometCast.

Sound Off with the Komets Monday Nights on 21Alive-- The Komets, 21Alive and title sponsor PHP present Sound Off with the Komets, a live weekly televised sports program each Monday night during the Komet season at 7:30pm on WPTA TV 21Alive. The half-hour show is televised from Champions Bar and Restaurant in downtown Fort Wayne and features highlights, interviews and call-ins as Komet players and personnel serve as co-hosts with 21Alive's Tommy Schoegler. Tonight, Dec. 16, Komet goaltender Andrey Makarov will be Tommy's guest.

KOMETS ON ICE THIS WEEK

. Friday, Dec. 20, Reading Royals (10-9-1, 21 points) at Komets (10-8-4, 24 points) 8pm-- The Komets begin the first of a home weekend double-header against Reading. The Komets and Royals are knotted 1-1-0 in the season series after the Komets routed the Royals at Reading 7-2 Dec. 7 in their last meeting. Reading is idle this week before their trip to Fort Wayne this weekend. While the Komets are enjoying the momentum of a two-game win streak the Royals are winless in their last five games (0-4-1).

. Saturday, Dec. 21, Reading Royals at Komets, 7:30pm-- The Komets and Royals face off for their final meeting of the season. Reading trails Atlantic Division leader Wheeling by 10 points entering the week's action and is only a point ahead of third-place Elmira. Both teams will go on Christmas break following Saturday's game.

Check out the Fort Wayne Komets Statistics

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