Komets score four points in first leg of Western swing

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets picked up four points in their first week of a two-week Western swing to hold first place in the Midwest Division by improving to 33-19-5 and 71 points. The Komets lead second-place Cincinnati by three points with 15 games and five weeks remaining in 2015-16.

After dropping the first two western games of the week, 3-1 at Colorado Wednesday and 8-6 at Rapid City Friday, the Komets rallied to claim a 3-2 overtime victory at Rapid City Saturday before returning to Colorado Sunday to ground the Eagles 4-3 in a shootout. The Komets finished the season series against Colorado at an even 1-1-1 and bested Rapid City 3-1-0 on the year.

Komet leaders-- Shawn Szydlowski leads the Komets with 39 assists and 55 points....Mike Embach leads with 23 goals.....Jordon Southorn leads with +17.....Cody Sol leads with 186 penalty minutes.

Streaking Komets-- Southorn finished the week riding a three-game point-scoring streak (1g, 3a).....Paul Crowder has a three-game assist streak (3a).....Trevor Cheek has a three-game goal-scoring streak (3g).....Martin has two straight wins in four straight appearances.

Career highs-- Two players set career season highs for assists. Brett Perlini set a new season high for assists with his 18th Saturday at Rapid City and Szydlowski reached a new season high with his 37th assist of the year Sunday at Colorado.

Milestones-- Kyle Thomas netted his first pro hat trick and first four-point game and Leo Thomas set two Fort Wayne career marks (regular season and playoffs) of 100 goals and 100 assists Friday at Rapid City. Goaltender Spencer Martin won his first pro shootout stopping two of three shooters Sunday at Colorado.

ON TO ALASKA THIS WEEKKomets at Alaska Aces Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, all games at 11:15pm ET-- The Komets will skate all three meetings of the season at Alaska (20-31-7, 47 points) this week, the second and final week of a western road trip. It will be the first time in Fort Wayne's 64-year history they have faced a team from Alaska. Fort Wayne's initial visit to the Sullivan Arena (6,000) in Anchorage will be for games Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 11:15pm ET each night. The Aces are skating their 13th ECHL season and failed to qualify for post-season play last year after claiming their third Kelly Cup Championship in 2014. Alaska is winless in their last seven games (0-5-2) and the Komets will be their only foe on the docket this week.

No Fort Wayne broadcast from Alaska-- The Komet games this week at Alaska will not be aired on Fort Wayne radio or webcast at Komets.com. However, fans staying up late for the games will be able to tune in to Alaska's Kurt Haider with the broadcast on the internet at KFQD.com. Look for the play button on the top left of the main page of the website.

Komets return home for Quad City double-header-- The Komets will return home Friday, March 18 at 8pm for the first of a pair of home games against the Mallards with the rematch Saturday, March 19 at 7:30pm. It will be the first of five straight home games in nine days.

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, March 15 at Applebee's-- The Komets invite all fans to the Tip-A-Komet benefit at Applebee’s North Clinton location by the Coliseum Tuesday, March 15 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.