Komets forward Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock, an alternate captain, had surgery Saturday morning to repair a cut tendon in his foot.

He won't be available to play in Game 5 of the Turner Conference semifinals Sunday at Rapid City, S.D.

The winner of that game between the Komets and Rush will advance to meet the Colorado Eagles.

Schrock suffered the injury in the series-opening 5-2 loss April 15, when a skate cut the top of his foot.

"There was more damage to it than we initially had hoped there would be," general manager David Franke said.

After he scored in Game 2, a 4-3 loss April 16, doctors wanted to operate Tuesday on Schrock. But Schrock staved that off to play in the Komets' 5-4 overtime victory Wednesday, when he had two goals, and the 4-1 victory Friday night.

"We are waiting for the report from the doctors, but we're hopeful Schrock will be able to play in the next series, if we advance," Franke said. "That's good news because we had thought he might be out for the entire playoffs."

This means rookie Tom Mele will play Sunday, since defenseman Bobby Phillips (shoulder) didn't make the trip.

Still no word from the league on whether the Rush's Kevin Harvey will be suspended for elbowing Mike Ratchuk in the head Friday, or if Colt King will be punished for driving Colin Chaulk's face into the boards.

As for the rumor that the Rush had vandalized the Memorial Coliseum locker room, that's not true, Komets president Michael Franke said. Some ceiling tiles were damaged as the team played soccer to warm up, though, Michael Franke said.