The Fort Wayne Komets entered the weekend trying to get their season back on track. After a successful January, the Komets found themselves in second place in the Central division, however a recent skid has resulted in a drop in the standings. The Komets had a chance to change their fortunes with a weekend full of divisional matchups.
Friday, February 16th: Fort Wayne Komets @ Kalamazoo Wings
The first period of Friday’s matchup got off to a slow start for both teams in terms of shots on goal. The Komets would finish the period with only five while the Wings shot three goals on target. It was the Komets who made the most of their limited opportunities by way of a goal scored by Ethan Keppen (assisted by Martin Haš and Ethan De Jong). The sole goal of the opening period gave the Komets a 1-0 advantage heading into the second.
The Komets kicked off the scoring in the second period when Jack Dugan (assisted by Connor Corcoran and Ture Linden) scored a goal less than three minutes in. With a 2-0 advantage the Komets looked to be in control of the game, however less than a minute later the Wings would answer with a goal of their own cutting the lead in half. The Wings would then round off the scoring in the second period with just over a minute remaining effectively tying the game at two goals each.
The game remained tied for much of the third period until the Connor Corcoran (assisted by Ture Linden) netted what appeared to be the game winning goal with less than three minutes remaining. However with an extra skater the Wings would once again bring the game to a tie with only 15-seconds remaining.
With the game in overtime Komets forward Jack Dugan was called for holding. The Komets would successfully kill the penalty, however just a few seconds later the Wings would score to end the game. The loss brought the Komets losings streak to three games and were losers of six of their last eight.
Final Score: Komets 3, Wings 4 (OT)
Saturday, February 17th: Cincinnati Cyclones @ Fort Wayne Komets
The Komets returned to the Coliseum on Saturday to kick off a two game series against the Cyclones. Both teams started the game aggressively with a combined 35 shots on goal. Despite the large quantity of shots on goal only the Cyclones managed to get on the scoreboard. They did so by way of a goal 14 minutes into the opening period. The Komets found themselves in a one goal deficit heading into period No. 2.
The Komets kicked off the scoring in the second period with a goal by Ethan De Jong (assisted by Xavier Bernard and Ethan Keppen) less than four minutes in. The rest of the period would belong to the Cyclones. The Cyclones would go on to score three straight goals to finish the second period and headed into the third with a commanding 4-1 lead over the Komets.
Playing from behind, the Komets looked to start a rally in the third period. The period began with a goal scored by Shawn Szydlowski (assisted by Damon Mango and Nolan Volcan) two minutes in. Less than three minutes late the Komets dug even more into the deficit with a goal from Ture Linden (assisted by Jack Dugan and Ethan De Jong). With the lead trimmed down to one goal, it looked as if the Komets put themselves in a good position to make a comeback. However, Cyclones’ Olof Lindbom would close the door the remainder of the game effectively extending the Komets losing streak.
Final Score: Komets 3, Cyclones 4
Sunday February 15th: Cincinnati Cyclones @ Fort Wayne Komets
The Komets had one last chance to change their fortunes over the weekend with yet another matchup with the Cyclones on Sunday. Just over halfway into the opening period the Cyclones kicked off the scoring giving them an early lead. With just over a minute remaining of the opening period the Cyclones would add a power play goal to add to their lead. The opening period would come to an end with the Komets trailing 2-0.
The Cyclones picked up in the second period right where they left off in the first. A Cyclones goal just over four minutes into the period put them in the driving seat up by three goals. The Komets would not go quietly as just over two minutes later they got on the board with a goal from James Chiasson (assisted by Jack Gorniak and Ethan Keppen). The Cyclones would answer however adding yet another goal with two minutes remaining in the period. The Komets trailed by a score of 4-1 heading into the third and final period.
The Komets applied pressure for the majority of the final period even during a four-minute stretch where they were short handed. However, eleven minutes into the period neither team had scored. Despite a power play opportunity of their own, the Komets failed to cut into the Cyclone lead. As frustration grew so did the penalty minutes for the Komets. The Cyclones found themselves in a 5-on-3 advantage of which the Komets successfully killed with four minutes remaining. Ultimately, neither team would score in the final period, once again extending the Komets losing streak.
Final Score: Komets 1, Cyclones 4
What’s Next
The Komets finished the weekend falling all the way back to fifth place in the central division. Nearing a playoff push the Komets look turn their fortune yet again next weekend when they go on the road for matchups with the Wheeling Nailers and Toledo Walleye.