Komets Rebound from 2 Goal Deficit, Beat Bloomington in SO

On Friday, the Fort Wayne Komets (18-11-0-2) began a busy weekend of three games in three nights with a comeback shootout victory over the visiting Bloomington Prairie Thunder (14-12-2-3). Bloomington got on the board first with a power play goal at 4:40 of the opening frame when defenseman Matthew Spiller's shot from just inside the blue line sailed over Komets goalie Nick Boucher's outstretched glove. Fort Wayne forward Leo Thomas had been whistled for slashing 30 seconds earlier. Assists went to defenseman Jason Lepine and forward Matt McIlvane. Though there was no further scoring in the period, it remained eventful. At 7:07 there was some confusion when s buckle on Boucher's mask came loose after a hit and he tossed it to the ice, expecting play to be stopped. When referee Ryan Carroll allowed play to continue without a whistle, Boucher turned around and knocked his net off it's moorings in frustration. After a lengthy discussion with all parties involved, play continued with no penalties being issued. Later in the period, Fort Wayne forward David Hukalo slid to the ice, losing his helmet in the process, and was cut on the face by the skate of Bloomington defenseman Cole Ruwe. Hukalo was helped off the ice and did not return. It was later revealed that he also suffered a concussion on the play and would miss at least the next two games. Boucher was also injured injured at an unspecified point in the first period, having tweaked a groin muscle, and was replaced by back-up Tim Haun at the start of the second. The inury came on Fort Wayne's annual bobblehead giveaway night, with the 2009-2010 figure having been modeled to honor Boucher. Bloomington stretched their lead to 2-0 at 3:22 of the middle frame when forward Craig Macdonald beat Haun on the first shot he faced. On a breakaway, Macdonald blasted the puck just under the crossbar, with Ruwe picking up an assit on the tally. At 4:28, Prairie Thunder forward Zach Pearson was sent to the box for slashing, giving the Komets the extra man and 23 seconds later, they took advantage. Forward Colin Chaulk scored off a rebound of defenseman Guy Dupuis' shot to cut Bloomington's lead to 2-1. Forward P.C. Drouin was also awarded an assist. A fight broke out at 18:10 with Fort Wayne forward Brad MacMillan taking on Prairie Thunder defenseman Justin Sawyer and eventually tumbling on top of him to the ice. The Komets outshot their opponents 12 to 5 for the period. In the third, Fort Wayne defenseman Bobby Phillips put the puck past Bloomington goalie Paulo Colaiacovo for his first professional goal at the 4:15 mark, evening the score at 2-2. Regulation ended with the tie still intact sending the game to extra time. The Komets had the best opportunities in overtime, outshooting Bloomington 5-1 thanks in part to a tripping penalty called on Spiller at 1:11, but were unable to seal the victory. In the shootout, Fort Wayne forward Konstantin Shafranov and Dupuis both found the twine while forward Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock hit the right post. For Bloomington, Macdonald and Lepine scored while forward Jon Booras' attempt was snuffed. In the 4th round, Chaulk skated down the right side, snapping a shot into the far side of the net. Moments later, Haun stopped Jamie Carroll to claim the win and two points in the standings. During regulation and overtime, Haun stopped 16 of 17 shots. Boucher had 8 saves on 9 shots before leaving the game. Coloiacovo made 35 saves on 37 shots prior to the shootout.

Notes: It was Colin Chaulk's first game back after a four game absence to deal with the death of a family member. Forward Rick Varone was also back in the line-up after aggravating a knee injury. Announced attendance was 7632. Fort Wayne went 1-6 on the power play. Bloomington was 1-4 with the extra man. With the win, the Komets stretched their unbeaten in regulaton streak to four games. Bloomington was winless in six. The Komets also beat the Prairie Thunder in their previous meeting on New Year's Eve by a score of 5-1 and lead the season series 4-2.