Komets punch playoff ticket

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets have clinched the playoffs for the 54th time in the 63-year history of the club. It will be the second appearance in ECHL post-season play.The Komets (40-14-6, 86 points) can claim home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs with a win tonight at Kalamazoo. Fort Wayne is in a dead heat with Toledo (40-13-6, 86 points) for first place in the North Division and home-ice advantage for the first two rounds.When the first round opens it will be the Komets' 99th playoff series since Fort Wayne's very first playoff appearance in 1954. Players expected to return for their second playoff season with the Komets are Shawn Szydlowski, Mike Embach, Aaron Clarke, Christian Ouellet and William Lacasse. Fort Wayne native Kaleigh Schrock will skate his fifth playoff season with the Komets. Ian Barteaux, Eric Faille, Brett Perlini and Roman Will be logging their first pro post-season action.

From Comets to Komets-- The Komets announced Friday that Goaltender Pat Nagle has been released from his player tryout agreement with the Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (AHL) and is expected to arrive in Fort Wayne tonight. Nagle was called up to Utica Feb. 23 and participated in 10 games while missing nine Fort Wayne games. The Bloomfield, Michigan native appeared in one game during his stay, a 4-1 loss at Syracuse while making 25 saves on 28 shots. It was Nagle's third call up of the year to the AHL. In January the netminder also appeared in stints with Rochester and Grand Rapids. Nagle continues to rank fifth among ECHL goaltenders after posting a 2.35 goals-against average and one shutout in 28 games (29-5-2) previously this season with the Komets. Nagle is 3-1-1 in his last five Fort Wayne starts and earned a 3-2 win Feb. 21 against Gwinnett in his last appearance with the Komets.Komets home for two-game set against Missouri Saturday and Sunday-- The Komets will travel to Kalamazoo to face the K-Wings tonight at 7:30 (WOWO AM 1190 and FM 92.3; MyTV). As a reminder, fans traveling to Kalamazoo for the game tonight may have to find alternate routes to Wings Stadium due to the closure of the Sprinkle Road exit (exit 80) on I-94. Please click here or visit wingsstadium.com for alternate routes.

Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 5pm the Komets host the Missouri Mavericks and close out a three-game season series. The Komets upended their former CHL rival 6-2 in their first meeting Oct. 25 in Fort Wayne.All three games will be broadcast on Fort Wayne radio WOWO AM 1190 and FM 92.3 as well as webcast at Komets.com at OmniSource Radio Recycle. Friday night's game at Kalamazoo will also be televised on MyTV.

Prostate Cancer Awareness Weekend-- This weekend is Prostate Cancer Awareness Weekend when the Komets host Missouri Saturday and Sunday. The Komets will wear special blue throwback jerseys of the '80's in both games. The jerseys will be auctioned during the games to benefit prostate cancer awareness and research.OmniSource Season Ticket Recycling Night Sunday-- Season ticket holders have another chance to exchange their unused season tickets from previous games of the season for tickets to see the Komets face Missouri this Sunday compliments of OmniSource. Also, Bring your skates! Fans are invited to take advantage of a free postgame skate courtesy Wendy's.

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. 2015-15 Season Tickets are on sale at the Komet office. For ticket information call 260-483-0011 or visit www.komets.com.