Komets Foil Flint 2-1

On Sunday evening, the Fort Wayne Komets (50-21-1-4) had nothing tangible for which to play, while the Flint Generals (33-36-3-4) had only the possibility that the Bloomington Prairie Thunder might suddenly halt an inexplicable slide from playoff contention to keep them from falling asleep on their skates. By the end of the game, both teams knew they were in the playoffs, so little details like who won and who lost no longer appeared to matter to them. For the second night in a row, Fort Wayne fans were treated to a mostly aphetic match-up which was mercifully resolved in regulation this time around. The Komets chose to start goalie Nick Boucher, who made some good saves in the first period. Unfortunately, Boucher suffered what was described as a minor rotary cuff/shoulder injury about 5 minutes into the contest when his arm was pinned against a goal post. He didn't leave the game immediately but was replaced by back-up Tim Haun to start the second. At 5:21 of the middle frame, referee T.J. Luxmore sent Fort Wayne forward Justin Chwedoruk to the box with a 4-minute spearing penalty that would set the stage for the majority of the game's scoring. At 5:49, Komets defenseman Guy Dupuis netted a fluky shorthanded goal with a bouncing shot from near center ice. Flint goalie Rob Nolan was on his knees in front of his net as the puck hopped past him. Defenseman Bobby Phillips was credited with an assist. The Generals got that one back, however, with a power play goal by forward Pascal Rheaume at 6:29 that tied the game 1-1. Assists went to forward Bryan Smolinski and defenseman Tyler Howells. It wasn't until 7:04 of the final frame that Komets forward Colin Chaulk netted the game winner after he stripped the puck from a couple of Flint players in their zone and beat Nolan on a breakaway, capping the scoring at 2-1. There were no fights and few skirmishes, though at 12:43 of the third, Komets defenseman Kevin Bertram picked up a roughing call while Flint forward Matt Moffat was whistled for holding. Both teams celebrated as they left the ice, as it was already known that Bloomington had capitulated, handing the fourth and final playoff spot to Flint regardless of their loss. Boucher stopped all 13 shots he faced. Haun made 15 saves on 16 shots. Nolan stopped 35 of 37. Since it was not only the last game of the regular season, but also the Komets last home game, team awards were handed out in a postgame ceremony. Chaulk picked up 3 -- "Team MVP", "Defensive Forward" (for which he had already won the IHL award), and the "+/-" award (for finishing with a team best +/- 34). Forward Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock received the "Mr. Hustle" award as well as "Rookie of the Year". Dupuis bagged 2 for "Defenseman of the Year" and the "True Komet" award. "Most Improved" went to defenseman Frankie DeAngelis, the "Unsung Hero" award was split by forwards Brad MacMillan and Leo Thomas, and an award for community service was split by Chwedoruk and Haun.

Notes: A sellout crowd of 10,480 was announced. The Generals were 1 for 6 on the power play; the Komets were 0 for 4. Fort Wayne outshot Flint 18-9 in the second period and 37-29 overall. MacMillan did not play due to the broken nose and cuts he had suffered in a fight with Quad City forward Marc Rechlicz the night before. During the postgame awards ceremony, several of the players young children accompanied them onto the ice. P.C. Drouin's toddler son seemed especially fascinated by the goal, and at one point, had to be collected by the elder daughter of Colin Chaulk. The Komets finished the regular season with 50 wins and 105 points after winning 2 games in a row, 7 of their last 8, and 8 of 10 in April. The season series between the Komets and Generals ended in a 6-6 tie.