Komets Learn From First ECHL Weekend

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FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Komets gained a split of two opening weekend games played and enter week two of the new 2012-13 ECHL season knotted at the top of the North Division of the Eastern Conference with Toledo, Cincinnati and Kalamazoo at two points each.

Friday night the Komets’ 61 ^st anniversary season home opener was spoiled by the visiting Kalamazoo Wings 4-1.  The Komets rekindled their old 34-year rivalry with the Wings that started from 1974-75 thru 1998-99 and again from 2000-01 thru 2008-09.  For the 11 ^th straight year the Komets’ home opener was witnessed by a crowd over 10,000. 

Saturday the Komets turned things around taking a 6-2 victory from the IceMen at Evansville to salvage the opening weekend netting two points.  It was the 25 ^th all-time meeting between the Komets and Evansville since the two teams first met during 2010-11. 

Komet leaders of the week—Brandon Marino (RW) registered three goals and an assist for a four-point weekend scoring points in each of the two games played…Colin Chaulk (C) had assists in each game to start the season leading the Komets with three assists…Brett Smith (C) also had points in each game marking a goal and an assist…Eric Giosa (C) notched a pair of goals in Saturday’s 6-2 win at Evansville…Chris Auger (C) netted a goal and an assist to contribute to Saturday’s win and Daniel Maggio (D) dished a pair of assists Saturday at Evansville…Komet goaltender Kenny Reiter stopped all four shots he faced Friday night in 20 minutes of relief appearing in the third period against Kalamazoo.  Reiter followed Friday night’s performance stopping 46 of 48 shots for his first pro win Saturday at Evansville.

Milestones—Rookies Matt Firman (F), Jeremy Gates (D) and Ryan Hegarty (D) skated their first pro games Friday vs. Kalamazoo.  Daniel Maggio appeared in his first regular season pro game after beginning his career with the Komets in the playoffs last season.  Daniel Nycholat (D) scored his first pro point (assist) in Saturday’s 6-2 win at Evansville.  Josh Brittain (LW) skated his 100 ^th pro game and Auger also appeared in his 100 ^th game as a pro.

Special K’s—The Komets’ specialty teams were 2/6 (33.3%) with the man advantage over the opening weekend and were successful on all 10 penalty kills (10/10).

GAMES THIS WEEK

• Friday at Kalamazoo—The Komets will make their first trip to Kalamazoo Wings Stadium since April 25, 2009 when they collected a 4-2 win and eliminated the Wings from the IHL first round playoffs 4 games to 2.  The Wings also split two games played for opening weekend winning in Fort Wayne Friday 4-1 and dropping a 4-1 decision at Toledo Saturday.  Friday night will be Kalamazoo’s home opener as the Wings celebrate the start of their fourth ECHL home schedule.  It’s the second of 16 meetings this season between the Komets and Wings, and the first of 10 trips to Kalamazoo.  The Wings and Komets are both idle until they face each other Friday at 7:30pm at Kalamazoo.

• Evansville visits Saturday—The IceMen will return to the coliseum Saturday for a 7:30pm faceoff after visiting for two exhibition games.  The Komets turned back the IceMen 6-2 Saturday night at Evansville in the first of 11 meetings this year.  Saturday’s tilt will be the first of six visits to Fort Wayne by the IceMen this year.  Evansville only skated their home opener over the weekend and will try to avenge their 6-2 loss to the Komets last Saturday.  Evansville plays host to Trenton Friday before making their trip to Fort Wayne Saturday.