Komets Hit Kemper

Published on March 30, 2005 under International Hockey League 2 (IHL 2)
Kansas City Outlaws News Release


The Fort Wayne Komets are gearing up for the post season. The Kansas City Outlaws are playing for pride, and maybe a chance to be a spoiler. Tonight at Kemper Arena, it was hard to tell which was which.

The Outlaws drew first blood, scoring just 4:40 into the first period on a Matthieu Descoteaux wrist shot. The goal- Disco's 10th of the year- was assisted by Joe Seroski.

Fort Wayne's Dustin Virag went to the box for tripping with 3:32 left in the first frame, and the Outlaws took advantage of the power play. With Jimmy Callahan, Andrei Lupandin, Mike Murray, Briane Thompson and Mark Lee on the ice, Kansas City set up in front of Komet goaltender Tyler Masters and worked patiently for a good shot. Lee finally found the opening, slipping the puck into the net for his 15th goal and 52nd point of the season. Lupandin and Thompson got the assists, and the Outlaws took a 2-0 lead to the intermission.

In the second period, Fort Wayne fought back. Komet sniper Colin Chaulk scored unassisted at 8:01 to pull the Komets within a goal.

Lupandin, acquired from Danbury in the Jay Murphy trade eleven days ago, scored his first goal as an Outlaw at 11:42 (Robert Machalek, Derek Kern). The Outlaws led 3-1.

Jason Kean beat Outlaw goaltender Jan Chovan with 5:30 remaining in the period (Tom Nelson, PC Drouin) to close the score to 3-2.

Outlaw defenseman Jami Yoder went off for holding 2 minutes into the third frame, and the Komets followed with a power play goal at the 3:10 mark. Chris Grenville was assisted by Dusin Virag and Rob Guinn.

When Briane Thompson picked up roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties at 5:59, the Komets again converted the power play. Tom Nemeth scored at 6:59 to give Fort Wayne the 4-3 lead (Drouin, Chaulk).

One thing about these Outlaws- even after a long season, there ain't no quit in 'em. After penalties to Fort Wayne's Sean Venedam and Tom Nelson gave Kansas City the 2 man advantage at 12:36, Mark Lee scored his second of the night at 13:38 to tie the game (click for video). Leezy was assisted by Seroski and Lupandin. Regulation ended with the score still tied at 4-4.

For a team that absolutely owned shootout situations most of the year, the Outlaws have struggled in that situation lately. Tonight was no different. Chovan allowed tallies by PC Drouin and Dustin Virag, and neither Descoteaux, Lupandin, Seroski or Lee could answer for Kansas City.

The Komets win this one by a final score of 5-4

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International Hockey League 2 Stories from March 30, 2005


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