CHL Fort Wayne Komets

Komets Home for the Holidays

Published on December 26, 2011 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release


Fort Wayne, IN -- The Komets enter week 11 of the 2011-12 CHL campaign on the heels of a three-point week and riding a four-game point streak. The Komets continue to hold a three-point margin over Evansville for first place in the Turner Conference for the second consecutive week improving to 16-7-1 for 33 points after 24 games and rank second in the CHL with a .688 win percentage.

In review of last week, the Komets rallied from a 4-2 deficit Wednesday with two goals late in the third period against the visiting Texas Brahmas to knot the game at 4-4 and send it into extra time. After a scoreless overtime, the Komets fell to the Brahmas in the shootout for a 5-4 shootout loss. Friday the Komets rebounded by stoning the Gems in Dayton 4-0 to remain unbeaten in three Dayton trips.

Komets of the week --

- Fridays' 4-0 win at Dayton was Nick Boucher's third shutout of the season. It was Boucher's 21st as a pro and 11th Fort Wayne career shutout. While stopping all 28 Dayton shots for the shutout Friday at Hara Arena, Boucher made 23 saves on 27 shots Wednesday in the shootout loss to Texas in Fort Wayne. Boucher (14-4-1) was 1-0-1 (125:00), allowed four goals on a total of 55 shots for a 1.96 goals-against average and .927 save percentage for the two games played. Boucher enters this holiday week prior to the new year leading CHL goaltenders with 14 wins, 2.26 goals-against average, .922 save percentage, and three shutouts after appearing in 20 games.

- Center Brett Smith led the Komets for the week with a goal and three assists, scoring points in each of the two games played for a seven-game point-scoring streak and a current CHL-high five-game assist streak (8 assists). Smith has scored points in 21 of 24 Komet games and leads Fort Wayne with 12 goals, 23 assists, 35 points and a CHL-high +18.

- Winger Bobby Chaumont posted a pair of goals and added an assist for a three-point week and extended his point streak to six games (5 goals, 6 assists).

- Left wing Artem Podshendyalov had an assist in each game for a four-game point and assist streak (1 goal, 5 assists)

- Defenseman Jamie Milam had a goal in each game and leads CHL defensemen with eight goals in 22 games.

- Defenseman Jamie Lovell had assists in each game for a three-point week.

Special K's -- The Komets faced nine power plays during the three games of the week stopping all but one for an 88.9% penalty kill rating. The Komets scored on two of nine power plays and lead the CHL with a 25.0% power play rating (19/76). Last week the special K's were 2/6 with the man advantage in two road games and own the CHL's best road power play record with 27.9% (12/43).

The Komets will complete the 2011 calendar year in busy fashion, skating four games in five nights leading up to 2012 including the traditional New Year's Eve Game Saturday.

GAMES THIS WEEK

Bloomington Blaze visit Tuesday -- The Komets welcome the Bloomington Blaze to the Memorial Coliseum Tuesday night for a 7:30pm faceoff. It's the only Tuesday night game on the Komet schedule as the Blaze make their second of six visits this season. The Komets prevailed 3-1 on Thanksgiving night the last time Bloomington visited. Tuesday's meeting is the third of 11 this season. Bloomington has won their last two outings and are 5-3-0 in their last eight games. Forward Jon Booras leads the Blaze with 13 goals and 28 points. Netminder Zane Kalemba has appeared in the last 12 straight Bloomington games (7-5-0) since goalie Marco Emond announced his retirement.

Missouri Mavericks here Thursday -- The Turner Conference rival Missouri Mavericks (12-10-3, 27 points) make their only ride into town of the season Thursday at 7:30pm. It's the first of two meetings this season. The Komets will visit Missouri Jan. 15. The Komets were winless after three games last season against Missouri. The most dangerous Maverick is forward Sebastien Thinel who leads Missouri with 26 assists and 33 points. The Mavericks are in fifth place in the Turner Conference and trail the Komets by six points entering the week. Missouri gained a split of a two-game home series against Laredo last week and are 2-3-1 in their last six games. The Mavericks battle at Wichita Tuesday before Thursday's game in Fort Wayne.

Komets travel to Evansville Friday -- The Komets will make their fourth of seven trips to Evansville Friday for an 8:15pm ET faceoff at the new Ford Center. The Komets hold a 5-2-0 series edge after seven meetings against their closest rival in the Turner Conference. The IceMen (14-7-2, 30 points) trail the first-place Komets by three points entering the week and host Dayton Tuesday before hosting the Komets Friday. Evansville is 2-3-1 in their last six games after stopping the visiting Texas Brahmas 3-1 last Friday night before the Christmas break.

Bloomington Blaze return Saturday for New Year's Eve -- The Komets will complete the holiday week with the annual Fort Wayne New Year's Eve game Saturday night at 7:30pm. The Bloomington Blaze return to town to help the Komets ring out 2011 and welcome the new year. It will be Bloomington's third visit for New Year's Eve. The Komets defeated Bloomington 4-1 in 2007 and topped Bloomington 5-1 in 2009. The Blaze will skate at Dayton Thursday and host Missouri Friday before completing their busy week of four games in five nights Saturday in Fort Wayne.

New Year's Eve in Fort Wayne-- Saturday will mark the 55th Fort Wayne New Year's Eve game (36th consecutive New Year's Eve game in Fort Wayne. There was no game on Dec. 31, 1975. The tradition started in 1955.). The Komets are 36-13-5 after 54 Fort Wayne New Year's Eve games and have points in nine straight New Year's Eve games (8-0-1) after suffering a 6-5 shootout loss last season to Quad City.

Komets team with Xfinity for live telecasts of home games -- The Komets and Xfinity partnered for five live home telecasts on Xfinity Channel 81 this season. The partnership started with the home opener Oct. 22 and continues with this Saturday night's telecast of the Komets' traditional New Year's Eve game against Bloomington at 7:30pm. Fort Wayne broadcast veteran Kent Hormann will handle play-by-play assisted by Bob Gnau. In addition to this Saturday nights telecast, Xfinity plans to broadcast the annual Comcast Report Card Night Game Feb. 10, the season finale Mar. 25 and may include a Komet playoff game in April.

Hottest Ticket In Town -- Tickets for all 60th Anniversary Komet home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at TicketMaster. The Komets offer discounts on group tickets sold at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way. For more ticket information visit the Komet office, call 260-483-0011 or visit the Komets' website at www.komets.com.

INC Soundoff with the Komets Monday nights -- The Komets, along with I ndiana's News Center and title sponsor PHP, present a live weekly televised sports program on Monday nights at 7:30 on WPTA TV 21 Alive. The show is televised live from Wrigley Field Bar and Grill each week throughout the 2011-12 season with INC's Tommy Schoegler as host. Komet players and personnel will serve as co-hosts during the half-hour program. The show will also feature highlights, interviews, call-ins and special segments. TONIGHT, Dec. 26, right winger Bobby Chaumont and defenseman Bryant Molle will be special guests.

60th Anniversary Komet Hockey on WOWO -- The Komets and WOWO Radio News-Talk 1190 AM have partnered once again for 2011-12. Broadcaster Bob Chase will call the action for his 59th consecutive season radio-rinkside. All games broadcast on radio, home and away, can be heard online at Xfinity KometCast. Most games will be broadcast on WOWO Radio News-Talk 1190 AM with ESPN Radio AM 1380 as an alternative when scheduling conflicts occur.

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Central Hockey League Stories from December 26, 2011


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