Komets wallop Walleye 4-2

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets opened 2017-18 with a 4-2 victory over the visiting Toledo Walleye Saturday night.

It was Fort Wayne's fourth straight home and season-opening win as the Komets began their sixth ECHL season and improved to 4-1-1 in ECHL season openers.

The Komets launched their 66th season in front of a crowd of 10,089 faithful as forward Tyson Fawcett scored his second pro hat trick to propel the Komets over the Walleye and improve to 42-18-6 all-time after 66 home openers. Both of Fawcett's pro hat tricks have been scored in Fort Wayne. His first came in a 6-4 Evansville win Dec. 13, 2015.

Skater Shawn Szydlowski celebrated the start of his fifth Fort Wayne season scoring the first goal of the game at 9:27 of the first frame. Goaltender Michael Houser logged his first Fort Wayne start making 25 saves on 27 shots to collect his first win of the season in his 99th ECHL career appearance.

Komets home for weekend double-header-- The Komets remain at home this week for a double-header weekend against the Kansas City Mavericks Friday and Saturday. Fort Wayne and Kansas City will meet on six occasions this season. The Komets were undefeated in three meetings last season with the central division rival Mavericks. Kansas City opened the season with a 5-3 road win at Tulsa Friday and are on a stretch of seven road games out of the first eight of the year with their home opener slated for Oct. 28.

Looking ahead-- The Komets remain home for their next five games and won't hit the road until a five-game trip begins Sunday, Nov. 5 at Kalamazoo.

Komet leaders-- After the first game of the year, Fawcett leads with three goals and three points, Jason Binkley and Cody Sol each lead with two assists and a +3 and Dennis Kravchenko leads with five penalty minutes.

Special K's-- The Komets were 0/2 with the man advantage Saturday night against the Walleye while the penalty kill was a successful 4/4 to start the season.

Family Four Pack, 4 for $55 Nights this weekend-- Fans can take advantage of a 4-for-$55 offer at both games this weekend courtesy of Midwest America Federal Credit Union. Get four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, four chips for only $55 when purchasing the Family Four Pack at the Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office.

Friday night Marathon Nights-- Again this year 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 participating Marathon locations. Save with your Marathon Fill-Up Card at the first Marathon Night of the season this Friday when Kansas City visits for an 8pm faceoff on Sweetwater Ice at the Memorial Coliseum.

Coming soon, Kids Seat Free Night-- Once again this season the Komets will feature Kids Seat Free Nights. The first Kids Seat Free Night of the season is slated for Friday Oct. 27 when the Cincinnati Cyclones visit 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.

Komet Hockey on WOWO-- Komet games are scheduled to air on WOWO AM 1190 and FM 107.5. All broadcasts will also be webcast at Komets.com presented by OmniSource Radio Recycle. Fans are invited to follow the action as Shane Albahrani handles the play-by-play.

Tickets on sale-- Single game tickets for all 36 regular season home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office and online at ticketmaster.com. Season Tickets also remain on sale at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way in Fort Wayne. For more information visit Komets.com or call 260-483-0011.