Fort Wayne, IN -- The Komets collected two wins out of a three-game set at Rapid City for the week, earning four points and improving to 5-6-0 and .455 after 11 games. It was the first Fort Wayne visit to Rapid City since March, 2016.
Wednesday Rapid City jumped out front 1-0 in the first period before the Komets responded with two short-handed markers by Phelix Marteneau in a span of 1:42 while Ryan Lowney was serving a five minute major penalty for kneeing in the second period. Both teams were held off the board in the third period and the Komets finished the game with a 2-1 victory. Goaltender Lukas Hafner earned the win making 26 saves on 27 shots.
Friday the Rush turned the tables on the Komets scoring a 4-2 win, snapping Fort Wayne's win string at four games. The Komets mounted a 2-0 lead before Rapid City responded with four unanswered goals for the victory. Justin Hodgman and Jason Binkley scored for Fort Wayne while netminder Kyle Hayton suffered the loss allowing three goals on 30 shots in his pro debut.
Saturday the Komets capped the three game series at Rapid City with a 6-2 win. Shawn Szydlowski had a four-point evening with four assists. Justin Hodgman scored a goal and added two assists for a three-point affair. Rookie Chris Rygus scored his first pro goal and rookie Jake Kamrass scored a goal and added an assist for his first two points as a Komet. J.C. Campagna netted a pair of goals including the game winner and Cody Sol scored his first of the season. Hafner backstopped the Komets to his fourth straight win making 38 saves on 40 shots. The Komets will meet the Rush once more this season on Feb. 2 in Fort Wayne.
For week 5-- Shawn Szydlowski led with five points after dishing five assists in his first three games with the Komets this season. Justin Hodgman logged four points (2g, 2a). Ryan Lowney dished three assists and Phelix Martineau and J.C. Campagna each potted a pair of goals. Marco Roy (2a), Jason Binkley (1g, 1a) and Jake Kamrass (1g, 1a) each added two points to their totals and Chris Rygus and Cody Sol each scored a marker. Goalie Lukas Hafner was 2-0-0 in two appearances, registered a 1.50 goals-against average, a .955 save percentage and was perfect on the penalty kill at 7/7.
Komet leaders-- Justin Hodgman leads with 14 assists (second in the ECHL), 18 points (tied for second in the ECHL) and +7.....J.C. Campagna leads with five goals....Taylor Crunk leads with 38 penalty minutes....Phelix Martineau leads with 29 shots.
The week aheadThe Komets have won four out of the last five games and will start week 6 skating at Cincinnati Friday at 7:35pm. Saturday the Komets finish the week of interdivisional play with a 7:15pm start at Toledo. The Komets will return to the Memorial Coliseum for the annual Bob Chase Memorial Thanksgiving night game against the Brampton Beast at 7:30pm.Friday, Komets at Cincinnati Cyclones (7-3-2, 16 points), 7:35pm-- The Komets will make their second trip to Cincinnati since the season opener at the U.S. Bank Arena on Oct. 13. It will be the third of 11 meetings this season the second of six trips to Cincinnati. The Cyclones are coming off a 4-3 loss at Indy Saturday night and will host Greenville Tuesday before welcoming the Komets Friday. Cincinnati trails first place Toledo in the Central division by three points after 12 games.
Saturday, Komets at Toledo Walleye (9-1-1, 19 points), 7:15pm-- The Komets will face one of the hottest teams in the ECHL when they travel to Toledo Saturday. The Walleye hold first place in the Central division with nine wins and 19 points after 11 games. Toledo is riding an eight-game winning streak heading into the week. The Walleye will skate a morning game at Wheeling Tuesday and will host a morning game Thursday against Kalamazoo before facing the Komets Saturday night at the Huntington Center. Saturday's match will be the third of 11 meetings this season and the second of six at Toledo.
Tip-A-Komet Tuesday night at Duesy's-- The annual Tip-A-Komet Night is this Tuesday from 6:30pm-8pm at a new location. The charity event will be held at Duesy's Sports Bar and Grille, 305 E. Washington Center Road at the Ramada Plaza. Fans are invited to join the Komets for autographs and photos as the entire team will be on hand. All tips collected by the Komet players will benefit The Shepherd's House.
Komets home for Thanksgiving-- The Komets next home date is the Bob Chase Memorial Thanksgiving Game on Nov. 22 when the Brampton Beast visit for a 7:30pm holiday match. The Komets are 8-2-0 in their last 10 Thanksgiving games and have won the last two in a row after last years 5-4 victory over Toledo. It will be the 58th Fort Wayne home Thanksgiving game (36-17-2-2). Donations will also be taken for Bob's favorite charity, the WOWO Penney Pitch, at the game.REPORT CARD NIGHT Saturday, Nov. 24-- The Komets present the annual PHP Report Card Night Saturday, Nov. 24 when the Cyclones visit. Students with an "A" or "A Equivalent" on their most recent report card earn a free ticket and have a chance to win $1,000 for future education. Report cards or letters showing an "A" or equivalent can be taken to the Coliseum Ticket Office any time before the game.
Tickets-- Single game tickets for all Komet regular season home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office. Enjoy several discount plans designed especially for your next group, or check out Komets Flex Tickets for great gift giving and more. For more information visit Komets.com, call 260-483-0011 or see details here.
Komet Hockey on WOWO-- Fans can follow Komet hockey action again this year with Shane Albahrani calling the play-by-play on WOWO Radio AM 1190 and FM 107.5, and streaming on the web at Komets.com, courtesy OmniSource.