Komets Avenge Loss, Best Icehawks 4-2

The Fort Wayne Komets (25-13-0-2) were out to send a message to the IHL's second place team, the Port Huron Icehawks (28-12-0-3) on Sunday night in Port Huron, MI, and that message was received loud and clear. Komets coach Al Sims put together an opening line-up that included forwards Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock, Brad MacMillan, and the recently returned Mitch Woods. Needless to say, a fight broke out just 0:02 into the game when Schrock found a taker in Port Huron forward Jason Kostadine. Kostadine proceeded to get a preview of what awaited the rest of his team, with Fort Wayne jumping out to an early two goal lead once play had resumed. At 6:31 of the opening frame, Icehawks forward Nick Lindberg was sent off for hooking to put the Komets on a power play, which they made count at 7:03. Forward Leo Thomas got a rebound goal following a scramble in front of the net. Forward Justin Chwedoruk and defenseman Frankie DeAngelis picked up the assists. At the 8 minute mark, Woods was whistled for his first penalty of the season -- an interference call -- but instead of Port Huron, it was Fort Wayne that was rewarded. This time Thomas took a pass from forward P.C. Drouin at the blueline and shot the puck past Icehawks goalie Adam Russo on the short-handed breakaway to make the tally 2-0. Not long after, Komets defenseman Guy Dupuis, in his enthusiasm to clear the puck from his zone, nearly put it into his own team's net. Fortunately, Fort Wayne goalie Nick Boucher was in top form and was able to make the unexpected stop to preserve the 2 goal margin. If Port Huron wanted to score, they'd have to do it themselves on this night. And score, they would. At 9:07 of the second period, MacMillan was sent to the box for hooking, giving Port Huron the man advantage, and at 9:31 they finally got on the board. Forward Brandon Naurato put the puck past Boucher following a perfectly executed goalmouth play to cut the deficit to 2-1. Forwards Mike Kinnie and Tab Lardner were awarded the assists. Then at 17:19 of the third, just when it had begun to seem like Fort Wayne's 1 goal lead might be enough, the constant pressure the Icehawks were applying paid off. With the Komets unable to clear the puck from their own zone, a shot from Lardner found the net to tie the score at 2-2. But the Komets were undaunted, and their response came fast and furious. Schrock's determined digging in front of the net resulted in the go-ahead goal just 5 seconds later at 17:24, putting Fort Wayne up 3-2. Chwedoruk and Dupuis got the assists. And at 18:45, Fort Wayne forward Matt Syroczynski broke out of his goal-scoring slump with a hard angle shot that hooked just inside the post to cap the scoring at 4-2. Schrock picked up an assist on the goal, giving him his second "Gordie Howe Hat-Trick" (a goal, an assist, and a fight) of the season. Boucher made 37 saves on 39 shots in the victory. Russo stopped 30 of 34. Fort Wayne trails Port Huron in the season series 2 games to 4. The two teams will meet again in Fort Wayne, IN this Friday night.

Notes: Announced attendance was 1657. The Komets were 1-4 on the power play while the Icehawks went 1-5. Port Huron outshot Fort Wayne 20 to 13 in the third period and 39 to 34 overall. According to the offical game report, Schrock's goal came at 17:24, but Komets radio announcer Bob Chase tagged it at 17:44. Since the broadcast had gone to a commercial when the tally occurred, it is unclear which is correct. Fort Wayne Defenseman Keith Rodger missed a fourth straight game with an eye injury.