Coach Al Sims and captain Colin Chaulk retired, and now so has the goaltender who backstopped them to four championships between 2008 and 2012.After the Komets' 4-2 loss to the Evansville IceMen, some interesting things came out.
As to captain Colin Chaulk, who returned to the lineup after a 32-game absence, coach Al Sims had planned on using him as a 10th forward. Chaulk said he'd rather play a regular shift to get into better shape. Chaulk said he was about 60 percent out there. He still was, in my opinion, one of their best players. His foot looked better than I expected after his first game.
Sims was asked why the Komets have continued to play one man short of a full lineup. I'm not saying I'm buying it, but Sims said it's because they can't find an American-born player they want. Why an American? So they can avoid the complicated issue of getting an immigration work visa. It seems to me, even grabbing a body from Lutheran Health SportsCenter would be better than having nothing around, but what do I know?
Heck, bring Cody Hess back from Europe.
Yes, that was Jean-Michel Rizk you saw manning the point on the power play. He's been there for back-to-back games. I don't know exactly how many players have manned the point, but I think it's been about 12 from the current roster. That's amazing. Amazing that they cannot seem to find the right combination.
But speaking of combinations, Sims said despite the outcome, for the first time this season he feels like the Komets have a top-shelf batch of three lines.
Remember, trade deadline is less than three weeks away. If the Komets lose on Sunday, I'll be stunned if they don't pull the trigger on something by Wednesday.
OK, I'll be at the games in Toledo. Check in then.
