Komets Repel Rush 3-1; Series Even 1-1

April 1, 2012 - Central Hockey League (CHL)
Fort Wayne Komets News Release

Fort Wayne, IN -- The Komets gained a split of the first two games of the Turner Conference opening round playoff series Saturday night in Rapid City. Following a 6-3 setback in game 1 Friday, the Komets rebounded with a 3-1 victory over the Rush at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center Arena.

Komet skaters Colin Chaulk, Chris Auger, Mike Vaskivuo and Brett Smith had points in each of the first two games of the series. Chaulk, skating his eighth Fort Wayne playoff campaign, scored a goal in each game including Saturday's game winner, Auger led the charge with a goal and two assists, Vaskivuo passed an assist in each match while Smith tallied a goal and an assist during the double-header at Rapid City. Komet goaltender Nick Boucher, appearing in his fifth straight Fort Wayne playoffs, started both games and has appeared in the last six straight Komet games.

The best-of-seven series switches to Fort Wayne for games 3, 4 and 5 this Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday nights. If necessary, Game 6 will be held at Rapid City Tuesday, April 10 and Game 7 will is slated for Fort Wayne Thursday, April 12.

The winner of the Fort Wayne/Rapid City first-round series will advance to a best-of-seven CHL Turner Conference Finals series against the winner of the Evansville/Missouri series, which Missouri currently leads 3-0.

Streaking Komets -- when carried over from the regular season, Chaulk has an 11-game point-streak (8 goals, 11 asists), Auger has points in his last eight straight games (5 goals, 7 assists) and Vaskivuo is riding a three-game assist streak (3 assists).

Playoff firsts -- appearing in their first pro playoff games are defensemen David Starenky and Bryant Molle and left wing Stephon Thorne. Thorne scored his first career playoff point (assist) Saturday in the Komets' 3-1 win at Rapid City.

Komet playoff tickets on sale -- Tickets for Komet home playoff games one and two scheduled for this Wednesday and Thursday are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at Ticketmaster. Tickets for Komet home playoff game three Sunday, April 8, will go on sale tomorrow (Monday, April 2) at noon. For ticket information call the Komet office at (260) 483-0011.

INC Soundoff with the Komets Monday nights -- The Komets, I ndiana's News Center and title sponsor PHP present INC Soundoff with the Komets, a live weekly televised sports program on Monday nights at 7:30 on WPTA TV 21 Alive continuing throughout the playoffs. The half-hour show, televised live from Wrigley Field Bar and Grill each week with INC's Tommy Schoegler as host, features highlights, interviews and call-ins as Komet players and personnel serve as co-hosts. This Monday night, April 2, Komet guests will be forwards Kaleigh Schrock and Mike Vaskivuo.

60th Anniversary Komet Hockey on WOWO -- Broadcaster Bob Chase calls the action for his 59th consecutive season radio-rinkside on WOWO Radio News-Talk 1190 and now 92.3 FM. All games broadcast on radio, home and away, can be heard online at Xfinity KometCast.

Turner Conference Opening Round -- Series "A" (best-of-7)

Fort Wayne Komets vs. Rapid City Rush

Series even 1-1

Game 1 --

Friday, March 30 -- Fort Wayne 3 at Rapid City 6

Game 2 --

Saturday, March 31 -- Fort Wayne 3 at Rapid City 1

Game 3 --

Wednesday, April 4 -- Rapid City at Fort Wayne, 7:30pm EDT

Game 4 --

Thursday, April 5 -- Rapid City at Fort Wayne, 7:30pm EDT

Game 5 --

Sunday, April 8 -- Rapid City at Fort Wayne, 6pm EDT

*Game 6 --

Tuesday, April 10 -- Fort Wayne at Rapid City, 6:35pm MDT

*Game 7 --

Thursday, April 12 -- Rapid City at Fort Wayne, 7:30pm EDT

* if necessary

All games broadcast on News Talk 1190 WOWO and now 92.3 FM, and webcast free at www.komets.com at Xfinity KometCast.

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Central Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2012

• Thunder Come Back for Second-Straight Game Against Rio Grande Valley - Wichita Thunder
• Brahmas Even the Series, Beat Allen 4-3 - Allen Americans
• Time Runs out on Bees, Fall 2-1 to Wichita - Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees
• Komets Repel Rush 3-1; Series Even 1-1 - Fort Wayne Komets
• Wilson notches OT winner with second marker of the game - Rapid City Rush
• Komets Even Series with 3-1 Win - Rapid City Rush
• Mavericks Take 3-0 Series Lead with Overtime Win - Kansas City Mavericks

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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