Fort Wayne, IN-- The Komets earned seven points in four games for week 20 of 2016-17 and improved to 33-15-7 and 73 points with six weeks and 17 games remaining.  Fort Wayne trails first-place Toledo in the Central division by eight points and lead third-place Quad City by nine points in the race for playoff position.

The week began with a 3-2 shootout loss to the visiting Quad City Mallards Wednesday.  The Komets lead the season series 6-2-1 with three meetings remaining.

The Komets rebounded with three straight wins to complete the week.  Friday the Komets upended the Fuel at Indy 5-1 to remain unbeaten this season by Indy with a perfect 6-0-0 record with three meetings remaining, all at Indy.  Saturdaythe Komets scored their sixth shutout of the season 6-0 over the visiting Wichita Thunder and finished the season series at 1-1-0.  8,531 fans witnessed the Komets come back from 2-0 and 3-2 deficits and grab the win.  Goaltender Garrett Bartus posted his third shutout of the season on 28 saves and forward Trevor Cheek netted his first career hat trick.

Sunday the Komets capped the week with a 4-3 home victory over the Wheeling Nailers to take a 2-1-0 season series lead over the Nailers.  The Komets matched their season high of three straight wins and enter week 21 riding a seven-game point streak (5-0-2) and nine-game home point streak (8-0-1).  Wheeling returns this weekend to face the Komets on Sweetwater Ice at the Memorial Coliseum Saturday and Sunday to finish the series.

For the week-- Cheek led the Komets with nine points (7g, 2a), Gabriel Desjardins had two goals and five assists, Shawn Szydlowski scored six points (1g, 5a), Brett Perlini (1g, 3a) and Garrett Thompson (2g, 2a) each contributed four points, Mike Embach had three assists and Kyle Follmer added a goal and two assists to the totals.

Komet streaks-- Desjardins has points in six straight games (3g, 8a) and a Fort Wayne team-high five-game assist-scoring streak (8a).....Cheek has a five-game point-scoring streak (8g, 2a) and a four-game home point streak (6-2=8).....Szydlowski has an assist and point streak of three games (1g, 5a)......goaltender Pat Nagle was 1-0-1 for the week and is unbeaten in regulation this season after 10 decisions (7-0-3).

Komet leaders-- Kyle Thomas, currently on call-up to Cleveland AHL, leads with 25 goals, nine power play goals and 62 points.....Embach leads with five game winning goals......Thomas and Mike Cazzola (on call-up to Binghamton) leads with 37 assists each.....Jamie Schaafsma leads with 15 power play assists.....Jason Binkley leads Fort Wayne defensemen with 25 assists.....Curtis Leonard leads with +27.....Cody Sol leads with 137 penalty minutes.   

Milestone-- Binkley registered his 100th pro game, all ECHL, Wednesday against Quad City. 

Taking the lead-- In each of the three wins of the week the Komets had the lead going into the third period.  Fort Wayneimproved to 22-1-0 when leading after two periods of play.

The week ahead

Wheeling Nailers (27-21-6, 60 points) at Komets Saturday and Sunday-- The Komets are idle this week until the Wheeling Nailers return for a double-header weekend Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 5pm to finish the season series. The Komets lead the series 2-1-0 after Sunday's 4-3 home win over the Nailers.  Wheeling is battling for a playoff spot trailing fourth-place Reading in the North division by five points heading into week 21.  The Nailers are in the middle of a seven-game road tour and are 0-3-1 after the first four games of the trip.  Wheeling returns to Indiana Wednesday to face the Fuel at Indy before traveling to Fort Wayne for the pair of games this weekend.

No road game at Quad City Friday-- Prior to the start of the season, the Komets at Quad City game, originally slated for March 3, was moved to and played on Dec. 21.  The game date was changed at the start of the season, after Komet pocket schedules were printed.

Komets in the Pink-- Not only did the Komets win both Pink The Rink games over the weekend, but the sixth annual Pink The Rink fundraiser was a success.  Sunday the game-worn jerseys were claimed by winning bidders with proceeds going to the Vera Bradley Foundation's efforts in breast cancer awareness.  Prior to this year's fund raising, the Pink The Rink cooperative had successfully raised more than $70,000 for research.

Hockey 'n Heels Women's Night Out Saturday-- This Saturday when the Komets face the Nailers it's Ladies Night!  Many door prizes are planned to be given away and a fashion show will be held during the first intermission presented by Lane 201.  All ladies in attendance are invited to visit the Century Club Room and shop throughout the game.

Kids Seat Free Saturday--  Once again this season the Komets feature Kids Seat Free Nights.  The next Kids Seat Free Night is this Saturday when Wheeling visits, courtesy Aunt Millie's, Parkview Health and the Komets. Any child under the age of 12 can see the game for free with a full-priced adult ticket purchase.

Save those valuable unused Komet tickets-- This Sunday is one of many Season Ticket Recycling Nights this season when the Komets host Wheeling.  Komet Season Ticket Holders will be able to exchange any unused Komet tickets from previously scheduled home games this year for tickets to the game Sunday against the Nailers.

Family Four Pack, "4 for $55 Night" Sunday--  Fans can take advantage of a 4-for-$55 offer at Sunday's home game against Wheeling courtesy of Midwest America Federal Credit Union.  Get four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, four chips for only $55 when purchasing the Family Four Pack at the Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office.

Meijer Family Night Sunday-- The Komets present Meijer Family Night at every Sunday home game this season.  Coupons for a Sunday 4-for-$36 ticket offer are available at all Meijer locations around the Fort Wayne area.  Also, fans can bring their skates for a free open skate after each Sunday Meijer Family Night home game.

Komets on the air-- Komet games are scheduled to air this season on WOWO AM 1190 and FM 107.5 with Shane Albahrani calling the play-by-play.  All Komet radio broadcasts can also be heard worldwide as presented by Omni Source Radio Recycle at www.komets.com. 

Single game and group tickets on sale-- Single game tickets for all Komet home games are on sale at the Coliseum Ticket Office, online at TicketMaster.com, or at the Komet office at 1010 Memorial Way.  Also, Group Night packages are available for Family, Business or Civic Group outings.  For more information visit Komets.com or call 260-483-0011.