Komets post perfect 2-0-0 for week 8

Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets were a perfect 2-0-0 for week 8 of 2017-18 gaining four points and improving to 10-6-2 and 22 points after 18 games.

Friday night the Komets opened the week with a 3-2 shootout victory and second straight win over the visiting Toledo Walleye. After spotting the Walleye two goals in the first period prior to a second period standoff, the Komets rallied with two goals in the third period to force overtime and eventually the first shootout of the season for both teams. Shawn Szydlowski opened the third frame with his eighth goal of the season at 3:45 and Ryan Culkin pulled the Komets even 2-2 only 1:24 later. No further scoring in the period sent the game to overtime where neither team could light the lamp. In the shootout, Toledo failed to solve Fort Wayne netminder Michael Houser on three attempts. Szydlowski scored on Fort Wayne's first attempt for the only goal needed for the win. Houser finished making 18 saves on 20 shots before stopping all three Toledo shooters in the shootout. It was the Komets first win when trailing after the first and second periods, first win when allowing the first goal of the game and first home shootout win since April 11, 2015 when they stopped the Cincinnati Cyclones 3-2.

Sunday the Komets made their first of four trips to Wheeling this season and clipped the Nailers 3-2. The Nailers opened the scoring at 12:13 of the first period but Fort Wayne's Szydlowski answered 12 seconds later to send the game into the first intermission at 1-1. Garrett Thompson beat Nailer goaltender Adam Morrison 4:43 into the second stanza before former Komet Dan Milan evened the scored 25 seconds later. Thompson netted his second of the night at 13:14 for his second two-goal outing of the season and the eventual game winner. Thompson also assisted on Szydlowski's first period marker for his second three point night of the year. Szydlowski also had two assists for his second three-point night. Houser earned his seventh win of the season in his third straight start making 40 saves on 42 shots.

Komet leaders-- Shawn Szydlowski leads with nine goals, three first goals, three power play goals, 12 assists, 21 points and 57 shots.....Cody Sol leads with +10 and 32 penalty minutes.

Streak and Milestone-- Shawn Szydlowski is riding a six game point-scoring streak, three-game goal streak (3g), four-game home point streak (4g, 3a) and six game road point streak (4g, 6a). Szydlowski has points in each road game appearance this season. Szydlowski's first assist Sunday was his 300th career point.

K's Kill-- The Komets penalty kill was a perfect 3/3 for the week extending their streak to 13 straight successful penalty kills. Fort Wayne has not allowed a goal on the penalty kill for four straight games and ranks second in the league with a penalty kill rating of 89.5% (68/76).

Hold that lead-- The Komets are 7-0-0 when leading after two periods. However, Friday's 3-2 shootout win over Toledo was the first time this season the Komets won after trailing at the end of the second period (1-5-2).

The week ahead

Wednesday, Dec. 6, Komets at Toledo Walleye (14-4-3, 31 points), 10:35am-- The Komets will skate their second morning game of the season at Central division rival Toledo Wednesday at 10:35. In the first morning game of the season on Dec. 16 Toledo doubled-up Fort Wayne 6-3. The Komets are 3-3-1 overall in morning games. The Komets trail first-place Toledo by nine points. Wednesday's match will be the fifth of eight meetings this season as Fort Wayne holds a 3-1-0 series lead. The Walleye are 3-2-1 in their last six games.

Saturday, Dec. 9, Quad City Mallards (8-10-1, 17 points) at Komets, 7:30pm-- Saturday the Komets will welcome the Mallards at 7:30pm for the second of five meetings in Fort Wayne. The Komets grounded the Mallards in the first meeting 7-1 on Nov. 4. Quad City trails Fort Wayne in the Central division by five points and will skate at Kalamazoo Friday before facing the Komets Saturday.

Sunday, Dec. 10, Orlando Solar Bears (8-10-3, 19 points) at Komets, 5pm-- Orlando visits Sunday for the only meeting of the season. The Komets walloped the Bears in the only meeting last season 7-1 on Dec. 18 in Fort Wayne. The Solar Bears are in fifth place in the South division trailing first-place Florida by 16 points heading into week 9. Orlando is 4-2-1 in their last seven games and skate a pair this week at Cincinnati Tuesday and Thursday before visiting Kalamazoo Saturday. Sunday's visit to Fort Wayne will be the Solar Bears' eighth game in a stretch of 10 straight road games.

Star Wars Night Saturday-- The Komets and Preferred Auto present Star Wars Night when Quad City visits Saturday night. Fans have a chance to meet their favorite Star Wars characters and free light sabers will be given away to the first 1,000 kids through the doors. Also, the Komets will be wearing special Star Wars jerseys to auctioned off to benefit Camp Whatcha Wanna Do.Kids!

Meijer Family Night Sunday-- The Komets present Meijer Family Night at every Sunday home game this season. Coupons for a Sundays 4-for-$36 ticket offer are available at all Meijer locations around the Fort Wayne area. Also, fans can bring their skates for a free open skate after each Sunday Family Night home game.

Kids Seat Free Night-- Once again this season the Komets will feature Kids Seat Free Nights. Another Kids Seat Free Night is scheduled for this Sunday when Orlando visits courtesy Aunt Millie's, Lutheran Health Network 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-- Most Komet games are scheduled to air on WOWO AM 1190 and FM 107.5. All radio broadcasts also stream live at Komets.com presented by OmniSource Radio Recycle. Fans are invited to follow the action as Shane Albahrani handles the play-by-play. This Wednesday's morning game at Toledo will be broadcast on WKJG ESPN Radio AM 1380 and FM 100.9.Get your tickets early-- Tickets 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.