Komets split pair at Quad City

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets took a split of a weekend series at Quad City to gain two points for week 13 and maintained first place in the Midwest Division of the ECHL's Western Conference. The Komets finished the week at 18-11-2 after 31 games and lead second-place Quad City by a point, third-place Indy by two points and fourth-place Cincinnati by three points in the division's tight race.

Friday the Komets opened the two-game set at Moline, Illinois with a 7-4 win, matching their season highs of seven goals in a game and a four-game winning streak. It was the third seven-goal effort by Fort Wayne this season. Joe Perry logged his first pro hat trick and added an assist for his first pro four-point night. Garrett Thompson netted a pair of goals while Jamie Schaafsma and Shawn Szydlowski each contributed a marker and two assists for three point games. Jordon Southorn passed three assists for is second three-pointer of the season. Goaltender Pat Nagle earned the win on 26 saves. It was Fort Wayne's first win against Quad City since March 2, 2012, a 7-2 victory at Quad City in the CHL. Sunday the Komets were turned back by netminder Steve Michalek and the Mallards 2-0. Michalek stopped all 42 Fort Wayne shots for the win and his first career shutout. Komet goaltender Pat Nagle had his win streak snapped at four games making 22 saves on 24 shots in his ninth straight start. Nagle also stopped a penalty shot by Quad City's Matt Carey to improve to 2-1 on penalty shots this season. The Komets are 1-2-0 after the first three meetings of the season at Quad City. The four remaining meetings will be held in Fort Wayne.

Komet leaders-- Mike Embach 13 goals, eight power play goals, 30 points and 98 shots....Embach and Garrett Thompson 17 assists.....Thompson eight power play assists.....Cody Sol 88 penalty minutes.

Hold that lead-- The Komets were up 4-3 at the end two periods Friday night at Quad City to improve to 11-0-0 when taking the lead into the third period. The Komets are 11-3-0 when leading after the first period.Special K's-- The Komets lead the ECHL with a power play rating of 24.0% (30/125). The Komets reached 26 straight successful penalty kills last week before allowing a power play goal at Quad City Friday and rank seventh overall on the PK with an 85.7% rating (114/133).

THIS WEEK

The Komets will skate four games in five nights starting with a trip to Cincinnati Wednesday. Friday the Komets begin a three game home stand for the weekend when Orlando visits at 8pm. Rapid City is in town for back-to-back games Saturday and Sunday.

Wednesday, Jan. 13, Komets (18-11-2, 38 points) at Cincinnati Cyclones (15-13-5, 35 points), 7:35pm-- The Komets skate at Cincinnati Wednesday at 7:35pm to cap a five-game road tour before returning home to host three games in three nights this weekend. The Komets are 1-3-0 after four games against the Clones this season and 1-1-0 after two visits to the U.S. Bank Arena (6,955) this year after a 3-2 overtime win on their last visit Nov. 25. Wednesday's trip will be Fort Wayne's third of seven and the fifth of 10 overall this year. Cincinnati is winless in their last three games (0-2-1) and 2-3-1 in their last six. The division rival has fallen into fourth place in the Midwest Division and trails the first-place Komets by three points in the tight race to the top. Cincinnati is idle this week until they travel to Fort Wayne Wednesday.

Friday, Jan. 15, Orlando Solar Bears (15-14-5, 35 points) at Komets, 8pm-- Friday the Orlando Solar Bears visit at 8pm for the only meeting of the season. The Komets were unbeaten by the Solar Bears last season in three games (3-0-0). The last time the two teams met was for a two-game set at Orlando Feb. 13 and 14 last year. The Solar Bears are in last place (fifth) in the South Division of the Eastern Conference, trailing first-place Florida by 16 points but are surging with a three-game win streak and are 5-1-0 in their last six games. Orlando will skate at Kalamazoo Tuesday before traveling to Fort Wayne for Friday's match.

Saturday, Jan. 16, Rapid City Rush (16-13-3, 35 points) at Komets, 7:30pm-- Saturday the Komets host Rapid City at 7:30pm for the first of a pair of back-to-back home tilts against the Rush. It's the first of four total meetings this season. The Rush will return the hosting favor with a pair of games in Rapid City March 4 and 5 to close out the season series. Saturday's game will be the first meeting since Rapid City moved from the CHL to the ECHL last year. It's also the first meeting since the Komets eliminated the Rush from the 2012 CHL playoffs 4 games to 2 in game six April 10 at Rapid City 4-3 in overtime. The Komets were 4-1-0 in five meetings during the regular season that year. The Rush hold third place in the West Division and trail first-place Utah by five points. Rapid City is 3-1-0 in their last four outings but 3-3-1 in their last seven. The Rush visit Evansville Wednesday and Indy Friday before making the trip to Fort Wayne Saturday.

Sunday, Jan. 17, Rapid City Rush at Komets, 5pm-- Sunday the Komets finish the busy week hosting Rapid City at 5pm. It's only the second of four Komet Sunday home games this year. After Sunday the Komets will be away for almost two weeks again. Next week the K's hit the road for another triple-header weekend beginning with a visit to Cincinnati for games Friday, Jan. 22 and Saturday, Jan. 23 before traveling to Indy for a 3:05pm Sunday tilt on Jan. 24

OmniSource Season Ticket Recycling Night Friday-- Friday night season ticket holders will have their first chance to exchange unused season tickets from previous games of the season for tickets to see the Komets face the Orlando Solar Bears at 8:00, compliments of OmniSource.

It's Super Hero Night Saturday-- The Komets will salute Fort Wayne area police officers, firefighters, paramedics, teachers, nurses, doctors and all super heroes when they host the Rapid City Rush Saturday at 7:30pm. The Komets will wear special super hero jerseys in the game that will be auctioned during the game. Costumed super hero characters will also be appearing for photos courtesy TAG Art Company. Also, all police, fire and EMS are eligible for a special buy-one-get-one-free ticket off for Saturday's game. Official badge or employee I.D. must be shown at the Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office to take advantage of this special ticket offer. 4 for 55 Saturday-- This Saturday fans can take advantage of the Komets' "4-for-55" special Family 4-Pack Ticket Offer when the Komets host Rapid City, courtesy MidWest America Federal Credit Union. Get four upper arena tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks and four chips for only $55! Kids Seat Free Sunday-- The Komets will feature another Kids Seat Free Night when the Rapid City Rush visit Sunday at 5pm 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.

Get your tickets early-- Tickets for Komet home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at TicketMaster.com. Discounted Group tickets are also on sale for all Komet home games at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way. Call the 260-483-0011 or visit komets.com for more information.

Komets on the air-- Komet games are scheduled to be aired on WOWO AM 1190 and FM 107.5 with Bob Chase calling the action radio-rinkside in his 63rd consecutive season. All Komet radio broadcasts can also be heard worldwide as presented by Omni Source Radio Recycle at www.komets.com. Happy Birthday Bob! -- The Komets will honor Bob Chase Sunday when Rapid City visits. Chase will be celebrating his 90th birthday in January and Komet fans can be part of the special celebration. Soundoff With The Komets continues this year on 21Alive in Fort Wayne. The 30-minute live telecast is hosted by Tommy Schoegler from SportOne/Parkview IceHouse each Monday night at 7:30 throughout the season. Tonight forward Mike Embach will be the guest.