CHL Fort Wayne Komets

Komets Move Back into First-Place Tie with Evansville

Published on March 5, 2012 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release


Fort Wayne, IN -- Three weeks remain in 2011-12 and the Komets are back at the top of the CHL's Turner Conference. The Komets gained seven of eight points in four games played for the week of Feb. 27, improving to 36-17-4 and 76 points after 57 games to move back into a tie with Evansville for first place in the Turner Conference. Both teams have nine games remaining; the Komets have seven at home while seven road games remain for the IceMen. The Komets will have a great opportunity to gain ground this weekend when Evansville visits for a Fort Wayne double-header Friday and Saturday.

About week 20 -The week of Feb. 27 began with a Fort Wayne 3-2 win at Quad City Tuesday, Feb. 28. The Komets rallied from a 2-1 deficit at the end of two periods to tie in the third and finished with a win in overtime. It was only the second game Fort Wayne has won this year when trailing after two periods.

Wednesday, Feb. 28 the Komets returned home to defeat the visiting Bloomington Blaze 4-3 in overtime to remain unbeaten this year in games decided in overtime (4-0). It was the final meeting of the season with Bloomington with the Komets winning the series 6-5-0.

Friday, March 2, the Komets made their last trip to Quad City and celebrated with a 7-2 win to remain unbeaten in Quad City this season in five visits.

Sunday, March 4 the Komets returned home and earned a point in a 3-2 shootout loss to Wichita, snapping a brief Fort Wayne three-game win string but extending the Komets' point streak to four games (3-0-1).

Komets of the week -Right win Bobby Chaumont is at the top of the Komet leader board with 19 goals, 41 assists for 60 points after scoring a goal and adding six assists in the four games played.....right wing Chris Auger also posted a seven-point week with three goals and four assists.....left wing Stephon Thorne added five points to his totals with two goals and three assists.....center Colin Chaulk passed four assists and Jamie Milam netted two goals and leads Fort Wayne defensemen with 19 goals......goaltender Nick Boucher appeared in three games (2-0-1) and stopped 96 of 102 shots for a 1.92 goals-against average and .941 save percentage for the week.....netminder Gerry Festa ran his win streak up to four straight games with a 4-3 overtime win over Bloomington Wednesday and is unbeaten in regulation five straight games (4-0-1).

Komet streaks -Center J.M. Rizk had points in each game of the week for a four-game point streak (3 goals, 1 assist). Right wing Bobby Chaumont also had points in each game for a four-game point streak (1 goal, 6 assists). Center Leo Thomas finished the week riding a three-game point streak (2 goals, 3 assists). Goaltender Nick Boucher is unbeaten in regulation in three straight games (2-0-1). The Komets enter week 21 on a four-game point streak (3-0-1) and four-game home unbeaten streak (2-0-2).

Milestones and markers -- Winger Chris Chaumont eclipsed his career high assist mark with his 34th assist of the season and 300th career point Tuesday at Quad City. Komet head coach Al Sims coached his 400th Fort Wayne career win (regular season) Friday at Quad City 7-2. Skater Jesse Bennefield notched his 100th CHL career goal Friday at Quad City.

Special K's -The Komets moved up to sixth overall on the power play in the CHL after scoring on five of 16 power play chances (31.3%) for the week and improved on the penalty kill after allowing only two power play goals in 16 penalty kills. The Komets enter this week on a string of 10 straight successful penalty kills.

Shootin' "˜em up -The Komets outshot their opponents for the week 172-141 and posted a season-high 53 shots in a 4-3 overtime win against Bloomington Wednesday. The Komets are second in the league with 1,910 total shots. Quad City is the only CHL team with more shots at 1,925. Chaumont leads Fort Wayne with 213 shots followed by Auger with 167.

Komets of February -- The Komets skated 15 games in February (10-4-1) and gained 21 points playing at a .700 pace. Leading the Komets in February was winger Chris Auger with eight goals, 10 assists and 18 points. Auger also led with three power play tallies and three game winners. Defenseman Brent Henley led in plus/minus with +12 for the month. Defenseman Bryant Molle had the most penalty time at 63 minutes. Nick Boucher had the most time in net with nine games and 482 minutes and posted a 6-2-0 record allowing 17 goals on 260 shots for a 2.12 goals-against average and .935 save percentage.

The week ahead -the Komets will skate three games in five nights this week. Week 21 begins with a trip to Dayton Tuesday. Then the Komets will be home to host Evansville in a weekend double-header Friday and Saturday,

GAMES THIS WEEK

- Tuesday at Dayton -- Tuesday the Komets travel to Dayton (19-25-12, 50 points) to face the Gems at 6:30pm. Fort Wayne will try to avenge a 5-0 loss in Dayton Feb. 11 when the teams last met. The Komets lead the season series 7-3-0 and are 4-1-0 when skating at Hara Arena. After Tuesday, the Komets will face Dayton three straight nights to finish the season March 23 in Fort Wayne, March 24 at Dayton and March 25 back in Fort Wayne. The Gems are riding a four-game point streak (2-0-2) after winning their last outing Saturday 5-2 at Arizona. Dayton newcomer Dan Dunn has been doing time in the Gems net and has not been beaten in regulation since his start Feb. 18 (3-0-1).

Note: Tuesday's Komet game radio broadcast has been moved to ESPN Radio AM 1380. It will also be webcast at Xfinity KometCast at www.komets.com.

- Evansville completes season series with weekend double-header in Fort Wayne -- The Komets will complete their season series against the IceMen with a home double-header beginning with Friday's 8pm faceoff followed by a 7:30pm start Saturday. The Komets and Evansville (36-17-4, 76 points) enter the week tied at the top of the Turner Conference with identical records. Fort Wayne leads the season series 7-4-0 and are 3-1-0 when facing the IceMen on Coliseum ice. The Komets dropped a 3-0 affair at Evansville Feb. 25 in the last meeting. The Komets have won the last two meetings in Fort Wayne. The IceMen are looking to rebound from losing all four games last week after a run of 10 straight wins. Evansville travels to Missouri Tuesday before visiting Fort Wayne for games Friday and Saturday this weekend.

Evenly matched -- the Komets and IceMen have identical records after 57 games (36-17-4, 76 points, .667), also where the Komets are 16-7-3 at home, Evansville is 16-7-3 on the road. Also, where the Komets are 20-10-1 on the road, the IceMen are 20-10-1 at home. Both teams are 6-4 in their last ten (FW 6-2-2, Evan 6-4-0). In goals for, the Komets have 157, Evansville has 161 and in goals against Fort Wayne has allowed 157 where Evansville has given up 161.

Komets face Red Wings Saturday -- That's the Komet legends taking on the Detroit Red Wing Alumni team this Saturday at 5pm as an opening act to the Komets/Evansville game at 7:30pm. The Detroit Alumni team hasn't been finalized, but some of the possibilities include Joey Kocur, Kris Draper, Darrin McCartey and Mickey Redmond. Former Red Wing great Dennis Hextall will serve as coach. Komet legends expected to appear are Eddie Long, Bobby McNeil, Doug Teskey, Dale Baldwin, Dave Norris, Adam Lewis, Chad Dameworth, Dustin Virag, Konstantin Shafranov, Kelly Hurd, Kevin Bertram, Steve Fletcher and more coached by Robbie Irons, Ron Burman, Reggie Premeau and Chuck Adamson. One ticket is good for both games Saturday. Fans can get in to see the Legends game with their ticket to the Komet/Evansville game that follows.

Meet Brent Henley and Kaleigh Schrock Wednesday -- Fans will have a chance to meet Komet defenseman Brent Henley and skater Kaleigh Schrock this Wednesday, March 7, from 5pm-7pm at Glenbrook Dodge/Ram/Chrysler/Jeep at 100 W. Coliseum Blvd. There will be plenty of photo and autograph opportunities and chances to win prizes.

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, 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 half-hour show is televised live from Wrigley Field Bar and Grill each week with INC's Tommy Schoegler as host and will feature highlights, interviews and call-ins as Komet players and personnel serve as co-hosts.

TONIGHT, March 5, Komet centers Brett Smith and Leo Thomas will be the featured 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.

Check out the Fort Wayne Komets Statistics

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Central Hockey League Stories from March 5, 2012


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