FORT WAYNE, IN – Nearly 7,300 fans showed up at the Fort Wayne Memorial Coliseum to see the Eastern Conference leading Komets fall to the Wheeling Nailers in last nights game that ended in a shootout, 5-4. 
“We continue to beat ourselves” said Komets Coach Gary Graham.
This is a young, talented Komets team that has out-scored the competition in the first period by 12 but by the third period opponents out-score them by 6 for the season. Last nights game was no exception and appears to be a bit of a small trend since the Christmas break for the Komets, losing big leads and 2 of their last 3 games.
Komets rookie Eric Faille (15th) opened the scoring in the first on assists by Szydlowski and Martin. On a steal from the defense and with less than two minutes remaining, from the blue line Komets Thomas Frazee and Matthew Pistilli broke into a two on one, Pistilli (10th) stuck the front-of-mouth, short-handed goal (2-0).
The second period was a burst of action from both sides, recording a combined five goals. Eric Faille would grab his second of the game and 16th of the season on a short-handed goal (3-0). Nailers Morgan Ellis (4th) started the rally back with a wrist shot high in the zone (3-1). Gabriel Beaupre answered with a slap shot at 16:15, giving the Komets back their 3-goal advantage (4-1). Wheeling’s Chaz Johnson (5th) would snap back with his goal at 17:20, followed quickly, a mere 53 seconds by Tyler Fernandez (2nd) closing the second with his tally, making the score 4-3.
The Nailers would keep the rally going into the third, Jarrett Burton (3rd) forcing overtime with his chip shot at 11:53 in the third.
A scoreless extra session required a shootout for the decision. Shawn Skelly grabbed the win for the Nailers with his shot off the bar. Komets Roman Will stopped a season record high 41 shots on goal during regulation before giving up the final shot. Nailers goaltender Eric Hartzell took his 3rd win for Wheeling.
Nailers meet the Cyclones Saturday 7:35EST. Komets travel to Toledo to meet the Walleye at WinterFest, face-off at 6:30EST.
Stars of the Game: Faille (FW), Szydlowksi (FW), Skelly (WHL)
Game report by Jill.Rothwell@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.