K’s Get The Year Started Off Right

Photos by Swikar Patel | The Journal Gazette

Fort Wayne, IN – With a little help from the recent additions, the Komets defeated the Gladiators of Gwinnett last night. Thomas Beauregard got the scoring started 8:00 into the game. He notched his 15th of the year about four minutes later. Marco Cousineau, who was just sent down from Norfolk, started in goal for Fort Wayne (17-14-2) and stopped all eight of Gwinnett’s (22-12-1) shots in the first, including a great save on a 2-on-1 rush.

As good as the Komets looked in the first, they played that poorly in the second. The K’s held the shutout, though, until the 14:19 mark giving up a one-timer to Evan Bloodoff and then blew the lead giving up a goal to Gwinnett’s Cody Brookwell with nine seconds left in the second frame. There was a delayed penalty called on Brent Henley and the boys just seemed to let the goal score.

The game went back and forth throughout the third with saves being made. Corey Elkins, who also came from the Admirals, netted his first ECHL goal of the year with just under four minutes left in regulation. Luca Caputi also looked great in his return for Virginia notching three assists in the game. Fort Wayne native Kaleigh Schrock iced the game on an empty-netter with 33 seconds left.

While the offense production was good, the Komets still struggled on the man advantage going 0-for-2 on the night. Hopefully with Elkins addition, and ability to practice, the special teams can finally return to a decent showing.

The Komets’ next game is Friday night at 8:00 PM EST in Fort Wayne against division leader Cincinnati. Audio is available through the Komets website.

Three Stars:

1. FW RW 82 Thomas Beauregard

2. FW LW 17 Luca Caputi

3. FW D 61 Nick Schaus

SOG: