Komets Put Win Streak On The Line Against Toledo

The Fort Wayne Komets carry a three-game win streak into Friday as they host the Toledo Walleye at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Fort Wayne comes into Friday 21-12-1 for 43 points, one point behind the Iowa Heartlanders for second place in the Central Division.

Last week, the Komets swept their road games against the Tulsa Oilers and Wichita Thunder. On Friday, Fort Wayne came away with a hard-fought victory in overtime over the Oilers, followed by a 5-3 win against them on Saturday. On Sunday, Fort Wayne pitched a 3-0 shutout against the Thunder in Wichita.

Alex Aleardi comes into Friday sporting a five-game point streak (five assists). Alex Swetlikoff has four points (3-1-4) over his last three games, while Jack Dugan has two goals over his last two contests.

Dugan leads the team in points with 34 (11-23-34) and is tied for the team lead with Aleardi in goals (11).

Odeen Tufto is the club leader in power-play goals with six. Aleardi has been Mr. Clutch this season, pacing the Komets with four game-winning goals.

The Komets have been stingy when it comes to allowing goals, having not allowed one in the last 104:32. They only allowed one shot on goal in the third period during Sunday’s shutout victory over the Thunder.

The Walleye are first in the Central at 24-8-4, 52 points. They are locked in a tie with the Wheeling Nailers for the top spot in the Brabham Cup race and are eight points ahead of Iowa in the Central.

Toledo split its action last week, winning 4-3 in overtime at Bloomington on Wednesday before falling to the Bison at home 4-1 on Friday.

Reigning ECHL Most Valuable Player Brandon Hawkins appears on a mission to capture the award for the second consecutive year. The right-shot winger and league leader in points (46) also leads the ECHL in shots with 182, and is tied for second in goals with 20.

Hawkins has a five-game point streak with three goals and six assists during that span. He tallied four helpers in Wednesday’s win over the Bison, marking the second time he’s accomplished that feat this season.

Carter Gylander has been impressive in his rookie season manning the Walleye net. Gylander has won each of his last five games, going 3-0-0 with a 1.67 goals-against average and .952 save percentage along with a shutout to earn Goaltender of the Week honors for Dec. 30-Jan. 5.

The Beaumont, Alberta native is 10-2-2 for the season with a 2.26 GAA, .919 SP and two shutouts.

Toledo and Fort Wayne are the only teams in the Central Division to have scored over 100 goals this season. The Walleye are especially dangerous from the second period on, as they are tied with the Nailers for the second-best goal differential in the ECHL at +35. Toledo has outscored their opponents 99-64 during that part of the game.

Puck drop for Friday’s game in Fort Wayne is set for 7:35 Pm ET.