The Komets were holding their sticks a little tighter in the third period Tuesday night, after their four-goal lead became a one-goal lead and Brett Smith got a four-minute penalty for spearing.
But the Komets killed off that advantage – even though the league-worst Bloomington Blaze has the third-ranked power play in the 14-team CHL – and Fort Wayne hung on to win 4-3, in front of 7,111 fans at Memorial Coliseum.
“Yeah, for sure there were (nervous moments),” said Komets captain Colin Chaulk, who scored for Fort Wayne, along with forwards Jesse Bennefield, Artem Podshendyalov and Stephon Thorne.
“Any time you let a team in after a 4-0 (lead), it’s not really acceptable. But, hey, we got the two points. After a three-day layoff (for the holidays), travel, family and busyness, we’re happy.”
The Turner Conference-leading Komets (17-7-1) maintained their three-point lead over second-place Evansville, which defeated Dayton 6-5 in overtime.
Fort Wayne has won 12 of its last 15 games. The Komets play four games in five nights this week.
“I know we were up 4-0, but we were able to battle back against (their rally) and kept it going for the win,” Thorne said. “We kept it positive on the bench. We just wanted to play defensively to find a way to win, and that’s what we did.”
The Blaze (8-16-2) began its comeback 4:57 into the second period on a goal from forward Jordy Trottier, who was cut by the Komets during training camp. Forward Kyle Laughlin scored on an odd-man rush at 5:54. And forward Luke Popko scored at 1:10 of the third period, with a shot from the right circle during the power play.
But the Komets still had reason for confidence; they were 15-0-0 when leading after two periods and the Blaze was 0-14-0 when trailing after two. Those statistics held to form.
“We have confidence winning games,” Komets coach Al Sims said. “That team hasn’t even won on the road when they trail after the first (in five tries). We knew that.”
Bloomington’s Zane Kalemba (7-8-1), the CHL’s reigning Goaltender of the Week, was yanked in the second period after allowing four goals on 16 shots. His backup, Mark Sibbald, stopped all 18 shots he faced.
Fort Wayne’s Nick Boucher (15-4-1) stopped 23 of 26.
After missing three games, forward Chris Auger (concussion) should be back in the Komets’ lineup Thursday, when they play host to Missouri. Forward Jean-Michel Rizk (groin) could also be back, after missing seven games, but that’s less likely.
Notes: Smith’s seven-game point-scoring streak was snapped, but he still has scored in 21 of the last 24 games. He leads the Komets in goals (12) and points (35). … Laughlin is the son of longtime NHL player Craig Laughlin. Trottier is the nephew of Bryan Trottier. … The Komets also played without defenseman Tristin Llewellyn (shoulder). … Bloomington was 1 for 6 on the power play.
