Szydlowski named to All-ECHL First Team

Fort Wayne, IN-- The ECHL announced today that Fort Wayne forward Shawn Szydlowski has been named to the All-ECHL First Team. The All-ECHL First Team was selected by a vote of league coaches, broadcasters, media relations directors and media, who were asked to select a goaltender, two defensemen and three forwards.Szydlowski, 24, is enjoying a career year leading the Komets with 38 goals and 73 points in 55 games. His 38 goals rank third in the league while his 73 points rank fifth. The St. Clair Shores, Michigan native has been named ECHL Player of the Week on two occasions this season.Szydlowski becomes the second Komet to be named to an All-ECHL First Team. Forward Brandon Marino received the honor last season.On March 21, in a 6-4 home win against Missouri, Szydlowski tied a Fort Wayne all-time team record and became the 29th player in league history to score five goals in a game. He also set a new Fort Wayne team record and tied the league record of scoring three short-handed goals in a single game. Szydlowski leads the league with eight short-handed points (4g, 4a) and ranks fifth with +38.2014-15 is Szydlowski's fifth pro year, third in the ECHL and second with Fort Wayne. The All-ECHL First Team also included goaltender Jeff Jakaitis of the South Carolina Stingrays, defenseman Mike Little of the Florida Everblades, defenseman Matt Register of the Ontario Reign, forward Chad Costello of the Allen Americans and forward Wade MacLeod of the Idaho Steelheads.Season finale Saturday--The Komets clipped the visiting Cincinnati Cyclones Wednesday 3-2 in a shootout and have two games remaining in the regular season. Friday the Komets visit the K-Wings at Wings Event Center in Kalamazoo at 7:30pm before returning for the home season finale Saturday against the Cyclones at 7:30pm. The annual Komets End of Season Player Awards will be presented immediately following Saturday's game.Tickets for Saturday's tilt and the first two Komet home playoff games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at www.ticketmaster.com. Fort Wayne's first two games of the 2015 ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs opening round will be held at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum Friday, April 17 at 8pm and Saturday, April 18 at 7:30pm.Hot race for the playoffs-- Kalamazoo, Cincinnati, Wheeling and Indy all have a chance at facing the Komets in the first round. The K-Wings hold third place in the North Division with 74 points and lead fourth-place Cincinnati by two points. Wheeling and Indy are tied for fifth place with 70 points each. 11th annual Bus Stuff for Community Harvest Food Bank continues Saturday-- The annual CampusLink Bus Stuff to benefit the Community Harvest Food Bank continues Saturday when the Komets host Cincinnati. The Komets are asking fans to donate canned or packaged food to benefit this year's Bus Stuff. Partnering with the Komets again this year on the Bus Stuff promotion are Citilink, Ivy Tech and IPFW. Community Harvest Food Bank Barrels will be located at the entrance of the arena for Komet fans to drop off their donation as they enter the building.