Komets collect four points in Alaska

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets visited Alaska for week 22 of 2015-16 and collected four points in three games to improve to 34-19-7 and 75 points after 60 games. The Komets earned points in each game to extend their point-streak to five games (3-0-2) and maintain first-place in the Midwest Division with a five-point cushion over second-place Cincinnati.

It was the first ever trip to Alaska for the Komets and started Wednesday with Fort Wayne earning a point in a 3-2 overtime setback to the Aces. After spotting Alaska two goals in the second period the Komets rallied for a pair in the third by Jamie Schaafsma and Leo Thomas to force extra time. The Komets out-shot the Aces in overtime 3-1 but Stephen Perfetto scored on Alaska's only shot of the extra frame for the win. Goaltender Pat Nagle suffered his fifth overtime loss of the year stopping 31 of 34 shots. Alaska's goalie Jacob DeSerres made 26 saves for the win.

Friday the Komets opened the night with two goals in the first 4:11 of play by Shawn Szydlowski and Mason Baptista before Alaska answered with a pair to send the game into the second intermission knotted at 2-2. After a scorless second period the Komets retook the lead on a tally by Schaafsma. The Aces responded with two goals to take the lead 4-3 but the Komets rallied when Trevor Cheek hit the net with 4.8 seconds remaining in the game with netminder Spencer Martin pulled for the extra attacker. A scoreless overtime led to a shootout where the Aces bested the Komets 2-1 and claimed a 5-4 shootout win. Martin made 29 saves on 33 shots and DeSerres stopped 16 of 20 Fort Wayne shots for his fifth win of the season.

Saturday the Komets completed the three-game visit and season series with an 8-2 thrashing of the Aces at Alaska. It was the first time the Komets have scored eight goals in a game since March 17, 2013 when they stopped the visiting Evansville IceMen 8-5. Baptista recorded his first career hat trick and Szydlowski dished a career high five assists in the game. Cheek scored two goals and Paul Crowder, Schaafsma and Jordon Southorn also contributed markers. Netminder Nagle earned his 24th win of the season making 21 saves for the Komets.

Komets streaking-- The Komets have a five-game point streak (3-0-2).....Sydlowski has a five-game point-scoring streak (1g, 10a).....Schaafsma has a four-game goal and point streak (4g, 3a).....Baptista has points in three straight games (4g, 1a).....Southorn has assists in three straight games (1g, 4a).

Milestones-- Defenseman Austin Sevalrud skated his first pro game Wednesday at Alaska and scored his first pro point (assist) Friday.....Leo Thomas logged his 300th Fort Wayne career game Friday at Alaska (regular season and playoffs).....Jordon Southorn set a new career season high of 27 assists Saturday.....Szydlowski recorded his first pro five-assist game Saturday and his fifth assist was his 200th pro point. The last Komet to score five assists in a game was Eric Faille on March 21, 2015 during a 6-4 home win against Missouri. It's the first five-assist road game by a Fort Wayne player since Mark Versteeg-Lytwin dished five helpers in 10-3 win at Muskegon on January 24, 2009.

Komet leaders-- Szydlowski leads with 45 assists, 62 points and 171 shots....Mike Embach leads with 23 goals.....Southorn leads with +18.....Cody Sol has a team high 190 penalty minutes.

One-goal games-- The Komets finally snapped their streak of four straight one-goal games with an 8-2 win at Alaska Saturday. The Komets have fashioned a total of 24 one-goal games this season (12-5-7). 13 of the last 17 games have been determined by one goal (5-3-5).

Holding the lead-- The Komets are 24-0-0 when leading after two periods after Saturday night's 8-2 win at Alaska. The Komets are 22-4-1 when leading after the first period and 23-7-2 when scoring the first goal.

THE WEEK AHEADThursday, Komets at Evansville IceMen (24-28-8, 56 points), 7:15pm ET-- The Komets will skate their eighth straight road game Thursday at Evansville to conclude the team's record longest road trip. It will be the fourth of six meetings this season and the last of three visits to Ford Center (9,100). The Komets are 1-1-1 after three meetings since a 3-2 overtime loss at Evansville Feb. 9 in the last meeting. The intrastate rival IceMen are in fifth place in the Midwest Division and trail the first place Komets 19 points with 12 games remaining. Evansville is 2-3-0 in their last five games and are coming off a 4-1 loss Sunday at Quad City.

Friday, Saturday, Quad City Mallards (29-25-6, 64 points) at Komets-- The Komets finally return to Coliseum ice Friday for the first of a home double-header against the Quad City Mallards and the first of five straight home games in nine nights. Friday's game starts at 8pm and Saturday's has a 7:30pm faceoff. It's the first meeting since Feb. 6 when the Komets evened the season series at 2-2-0 with a 3-1 home win against Quad City. The Mallards have won their last two games and are 3-2-1 in their last six games. Currently the Mallards qualify for the eighth and final spot in a Western Conference playoffs and hold a three-point edge over ninth-place Tulsa in the fight for playoff position with 12 games remaining. Quad City is idle this week until they travel to Fort Wayne Friday.

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.

TIP-A-KOMET Tuesday at Applebee's-- The Komets invite all fans to the Tip-A-Komet benefit at Applebee’s North Clinton location by the Coliseum this Tuesday from 6:30pm-8pm. Fans have a chance to be served dinner by a Komet player as the entire team will be on-hand for the special night at Applebee’s. All tips benefit Applebee’s Make-A-Wish Foundation Fundraising efforts. For more information fans can call the Komet office at 260-483-0011.Friday night Marathon Nights-- Komet fans can save on their Friday night tickets with Marathon. 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 at the game this Friday when the Komets host the Quad City Mallards.Kids Seat Free Friday-- The Komets will feature another Kids Seat Free Night when the Quad City visits Friday, 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.Hockey 'n Heels Women's Night Out Saturday-- This Saturday when the Komets host the Mallards it's Ladies Night! In addition to many door prizes, free carnations will handed out to the first 1,000 women courtesy Cottage Flowers and there will be a fashion show during the first intermission presented by Lane 201. All ladies in attendance are invited to visit the Century Club Room and shop throughout the game.Komets on the air-- Most 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. However Thursday's game at Evansville will be called by Shane Albahrani. All Komet radio broadcasts can also be heard worldwide as presented by Omni Source Radio Recycle at www.komets.com. 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 Komet general manager David Franke will be the guest.