Komets lead ECHL after 11 weeks

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets skated two games during the week of Christmas and collected two points and improved to 22-5-1. After 11 weeks of 2014-15 the Komets continue to lead the ECHL with 45 points. Fort Wayne's best overall start in the club's history continues, reaching 45 points after only 28 games.

Week 11 in review-- Friday the Komets returned to action after the Christmas break and suffered a 6-4 setback at Evansville in the first game of a home-and-home series, snapping an 11-game point streak. It was Fort Wayne's first loss in regulation since Nov. 22 when the Komets fell at home to Greenville 3-1. Thomas Frazee scored a pair in the match. Matthew Pistilli and James Martin also contributed markers. Goaltender Pat Nagle suffered the loss in relief to snap his unbeaten streak at eight games.Saturday the Komets returned home and stopped the IceMen 5-1 to salvage two points for the week and improve to 4-1-0 in five meetings against division rival Evansville. Mike Embach was the star of the game scoring the Komets' first hat trick of the season. Shawn Szydlowski and Frazee also scored for Fort Wayne while Nagle earned his 15th win of the season to tie Idaho's Olivier Roy for most wins in the league.

Komet streaks-- Frazee has points in three straight games (4g, 2a).....Nagle has a three-game home win streak, a six-game home unbeaten streak (5-0-1) and has appeared in six straight games......Komets are unbeaten in six straight home games (5-0-1).

Milestones-- C.J. Severyn dished his 100th point (assist) Friday at Evansville.....Frazee has skated 99 pro games.....Szydlowski has appeared in 97 ECHL career games and has 95 career points.....Pistilli has scored 97 career goals.....Kaleigh Schrock, currently on injured reserve, has 398 Fort Wayne overall career games including 48 playoff appearances.

The week ahead-- The Komets will get into 2015 hosting three games in five nights. The Quad City Mallards (14-9-5, 33 points) get the week started when they visit Monday night at 7:30pm. It will be the only meeting of the season and the first meeting since the Komets dropped a 5-2 decision to the visiting Mallards March 21, 2012 in a CHL game. The Mallards are skating their first season in the ECHL in the Western Conference Central Division and hold second place, trailing first-place Allen by eight points going into Sunday's games. Sunday the Mallards host Brampton before making the trip to Fort Wayne. Quad City is riding a three-game win streak and is 7-2-0 in their last nine games.

Wednesday the Komets welcome Indy (6-16-6, 18 points) for the traditional Fort Wayne New Year's Eve game. The Komets are 38-14-5 after 57 New Year's Eve games at the Coliseum and are 10-1-1 after the last dozen. Last year the Komets celebrated the New Year with a 5-3 victory over Toledo. The Fuel are idle until they visit Wednesday and are coming off a 1-0-1 week. Indy is 1-7-2 in their last 10 outings.

Friday the Komets face division rival Wheeling (12-13-0, 24 points) at 8pm. It's the only visit of the season by the Nailers. Last season the Komets were 2-1-1 in four meetings with Wheeling. The Nailers trail the Komets by 11 points going into their game Sunday at South Carolina. Wheeling also skates at Gwinnett Monday before heading for Fort Wayne Friday.

Saturday the Komets finish the week of four games in five nights with a trip to Toledo (19-5-3, 41 points) for a 6:30pm faceoff at Fifth Third Field. The outdoor game is part of Toledo's Winterfest celebration. The Walleye were upset 2-1 by Kalamazoo in their first Winterfest game Saturday night, Dec. 27. Toledo will skate at Brampton Tuesday and Wednesday. The Walleye will visit Indy Friday before facing the Komets at Winterfest in Toledo Saturday at 6:30pm. Toledo trails the first place Komets by four points in the North Division and are 5-2-1 in their last eight games.

Komets Legends to face Toledo Alumni at Winterfest Saturday-- The Komet Legends will skate against the Toledo Walleye Alumni Saturday at 4:30pm, prior to the Komets/Walleye ECHL game at 6:30pm as part of the Toledo Winterfest festivities. Some of the former Komets expected to participate are Brian McKee, Dale Baldwin, Doug Rigler, Carey Lucyk, Dave Norris, Bobby Phillips, Konstantin Shafranov, Kelly Hurd, P.C. Drouin and Nick Boucher.

KIDS SEAT FREE Monday-- Monday, Dec. 29 the Komets will host Quad City on another Kids Seat Free Night, courtesy Aunt Millie's, Parkview Health and the Komets. Any child under the age of 12 can see the game for free with a full-priced adult ticket purchase. Bring your skates Monday.....Monday's game will also feature a special holiday postgame skate courtesy Wendy's.OmniSource Season Ticket Recycling Night Friday-- Friday night, Jan. 2, season ticket holders have a chance to exchange their unused season tickets from previous games of the season for tickets to see the Komets face the Wheeling Nailers at 8pm, compliments of OmniSource.

Friday night Marathon Night-- The Komets continue to provide affordable ticket options this year with the Marathon Fill-Up Card for all Friday night games during the regular season. Fans can earn a buy-one-get-one-free ticket offer with the purchase of three fill-ups at any participating Marathon location. Save with your Marathon Fill-Up Card this Friday, Jan. 2 when the Komets host Wheeling at 8pm.

Komets Ticket information-- Komets tickets may be purchased at the Coliseum Ticket Office or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Discounted Group Tickets are also on sale for all Komet home games at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way. For more information on Komet single game tickets and group tickets, call 260-483-0011 or visit www.komets.com or call 260-483-0011.

Komet Hockey on WOWO Radio and OmniSource Radio Recycle on the web-- Bob Chase is celebrating his 62nd season behind the Komet microphone this year. Follow the Komets on WOWO Radio AM 1190 and FM 92.3. All Komet radio broadcasts can also be heard worldwide on the web at Komets.com presented by OmniSource Radio Recycle.

Sound Off with the Komets on 21Alive Monday nights-- The Komets, 21Alive and SportONE/Parkview Icehouse present Sound Off with the Komets, a live weekly telecast each Monday night at 7:30. The show airs on WPTA TV 21Alive from the SportONE/Parkview Icehouse, 3869 Ice Way in Fort Wayne, featuring highlights, interviews and call-ins. Komet players and personnel will serve as co-hosts with 21Alive's Tommy Schoegler. Monday, Jan. 5, Komet defenseman Joey Leach will be Tommy's guest. All Komet fans are welcome to attend.

KOMETS WEEKLY PLANNERMonday, Dec. 29...........Quad City Mallards at Komets, 7:30pm ET, WOWO AM 1190 and FM 92.3Wednesday, Dec. 31.....Indy Fuel at Komets, 7:30pm ET, WOWO AM 1190 and FM 92.3Friday, Jan. 2.................Wheeling Nailers at Komets, 8pm ET, WOWO AM 1190 and FM 92.3Saturday, Jan. 3............Komets at Toledo Walleye, 6:30pm ET (Winterfest), WOWO AM 1190 and FM 92.3; MyTV

Komet practice schedule

Monday, Dec. 29...........Practice 10am-11am at the ColiseumTuesday, Dec. 30..........Practice 10:30am-11:30am at SportONE/Parkview IcehouseWednesday, Dec. 31.....Practice 10am-11am at the ColiseumFriday, Jan. 2.................Practice 10am-10:45am at the ColiseumSaturday, Jan. 3............Practice 10:30am-11am at SportONE/Parkview IcehouseMonday, Jan. 5..............Practice 10am-noon at SportONE/Parkview Icehouse Tuesday, Jan. 6.............Practice 10am-noon at SportONE/Parkview Icehouse