ECHL Fort Wayne Komets

Komets Pad Eastern Lead with Five-Point Weekend

January 13, 2003 - ECHL (ECHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release


Fort Wayne, IN --- As one champ makes a successful exit, another soon will be entering. Steve Fletcher, former Komet great in the IHL days, became a Komet great as a player in the UHL as well after skating one game Sunday to make his hockey exit as a Komet. Fletcher, 40, didn't go quietly. A Fort Wayne record Sunday crowd of 9,265 was on hand to witness the moment as Fletcher accumulated 7 additional penalty minutes and a fight. He may now retire as one of the greatest Komets ever, boasting a Fort Wayne all-time high 1,752 penalty minutes in 344 games and can be called one of the greatest Komet legends.

Soon there will be another appearance by one the greatest champs of all time, as announced today by the Komets. Muhammad Ali will make a special appearance Saturday, Feb. 8 when the Komets host the Kalamazoo Wings at 7:35pm. The Champ will be on hand to spend some quality time with local children facing their own fights against life threatening illnesses. Ali is also appearing to help recognize all of the "A" students expected to be in attendance as part of the Comcast annual Report Card Night at Komet Hockey. Comcast will donate $5 per "A" student in attendance to the Three Rivers Literacy Alliance. A portion of all ticket sales proceeds from the Feb. 8 game will be donated to various children's charities by the Komets and select corporate partners. Ali, one of the world's most recognized figures, champions many causes and donates much of his time helping children throughout the world. More information regarding the Ali appearance will be released at a later date including the specific charities involved, corporate partners funding the event and specific Ali itinerary.

In 3 games over the past weekend, the Komets took 5 points and extended their lead in the Eastern Conference to 4 points over 2nd place Adirondack. Friday the Komets clipped the Mallards in Quad City 4-3 in a shootout. Dustin Virag scored a pair in regulation and David-Alexandre Beauregard added a tally. Virag and Beauregard along with Colin Chaulk and Kelly Perrault all scored in the extra frame to take the shootout win.

Saturday the Komets returned to Fort Wayne and doubled up the visiting Port Huron Beacons 6-3. Bobby Stewart netted a pair as Michel Massie, Jake Ortmeyer, Chaulk and Beauregard each added goals. Parris Duffus earned his 3rd straight win stopping 21 of 24 shots.

Sunday, the Kalamazoo Wings spoiled the return of Fletcher besting the Komets 2-1 in a shootout. Kevin Kotyluk scored his 3rd goal of the season for the lone Komet goal in regulation. Netminder Tom Lawson took the shootout loss stopping 12 of 13 shots in regulation and allowing 2 goals on 7 shots in the shootout.

This weekend the Komets play the first of 3 Wednesday home games when they host the Flint Generals Wednesday night at 7:35. After the midweek home game the Komets will head east to play at Adirondack Friday, then return to the midwest Saturday to skate at Port Huron. The Komets return home Sunday to face the league-leading Missouri River Otters in a 5:05pm tilt. Tickets for all Komet home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketmaster.com.

Komet leaders: Points...Kelly Perrault (42), Goals...Bobby Stewart (19), Assists...Kelly Perrault (38), +/-...Jake Ortmeyer (+18), PIM...Kevin Kotyluk (127), PPG...David-Alexandre Beauregard (10), shots...Bobby Stewart (142).

For the week: Virag 2g, 3a.....Chaulk 1g, 4a.....Perrault 5a.....Stewart 2g, 2a.....Beauregard 2g.....Ortmeyer 1g, 1a.....Massie 1g.....Kotyluk 1g.....Severson, Neumeier, Selleke 1 assist each.....Lawson 2gp, 120:00, 1-0-1, 4ga, 2.00 ave, 42/46, .913 spct.....Duffus 1gp, 60:00, 3ga, 21/24.

Komets of the week.....Dustin Virag was nominated for UHL Player of the Week for scoring 2 power play goals, 3 assists and +3 in 3 games played. Tom Lawson was nominated for UHL Goaltender of the Week posting a 1-0-1 record, 2.00 goals against average and .913 save percentage in 2 games played.

Komets topping the UHL.....the Komets lead the UHL with an overall penalty kill of 86.4%.....the Komets continue to allow a league lowest 2.47 goals per game and 24.6 shots per game.....Kelly Perrault leads UHL defensemen with 38 assists and 42 points.....defenseman Jake Ortmeyer leads UHL rookies with +18.....Tom Lawson continues to lead UHL goalies with a 1.85 goals against average, 4 shutouts and .925 save percentage.

Komet streaks.....the Komets are unbeaten in regulation at home 8 straight games.....winger Dustin Virag is riding a 4-game point streak (3g, 3a) and center Colin Chaulk has points in each of his last 4 games (1g, 5a).

On the edge.....David-Alexandre Beauregard has 398 career points. Also Beauregard's 10 power play goals this season has tied a Komet all-time UHL record of 10 power play goals in a season set by Jason Goulet during the Komet's first UHL campaign 1999-00.....Kelly Perrault has played 298 pro games.

"All Skate" Sunday.....once again fans can bring their skates to Sunday's game for a free after game skate on coliseum ice. All Komet Sunday games are Wendy's Family Nights with free post-game skates. Discount coupons for Sunday games are available at all participating Wendy's in the Fort Wayne area.

Komets on the loose....Colin Chaulk and Marc Barlow will be at Clem's Collectibles by the Food Court at Glenbrook Square Mall Tuesday, Jan. 14, from 6-7pm meeting Komet fans and signing autographs.

Get in the Zone.....the Komets and Hagerman Construction, the main contractor for the renovation of the Memorial Coliseum, have set up the "Komet Construction Zone" for the 2002-03 season giving local children's organizations a chance to see Komet hockey. 50 tickets to sit free in the "Construction Zone" will be donated to a local children's organization. In addition to the free tickets, groups will receive official Hagerman construction helmets and more courtesy of Hagerman Construction and the Komets. Tickets can be ordered through the Komet office at (260) 483-0011.

KometCast worldwide.....Komet fans from all over the world can catch Komet hockey on the internet via Comcast KometCast, an exclusive Fort Wayne Komets webcast presentation available at the Komets website at www.komets.com. Comcast KometCast features play-by-play by Bob Chase in his 50th season of calling Komet hockey radio-rinkside. Komet team stats, information, UHL standings and more also can be found at www.komets.com. Stats and standings are updated each morning during the season.

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ECHL Stories from January 13, 2003


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