Komets capture ECHL championship for first time
33 minutes ago (July 2, 2021)
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Fort Wayne Komets captured the 2021 Kelly Cup championship on Friday with a 2-1 win over the South Carolina Stingrays in Game 4 of the 2021 Kelly Cup Finals in front of a capacity crowd of 10,477 fans at Memorial Coliseum, marking the sixth largest crowd in Riley/Cup Finals history.
Fort Wayne, which was appearing in the Kelly Cup Finals for the first time in its nine ECHL seasons, has captured 10 championships in its 69 seasons of existence across the ECHL, Central Hockey League, United Hockey League and International Hockey League.
Komets’ forward Stephen Harper earned the June M. Kelly Playoffs Most Valuable Player Award. Harper, who scored two goals in the Game 4 victory, shared the playoff lead with 13 points and was tied for second with six goals.
Brandon Hawkins led Fort Wayne in the Kelly Cup Finals with four goals and seven points while Cole Ully paced South Carolina with five points (1g-4a). ...
That's why I nominated Dylan Ferguson for MVP, for backstopping their Cup run. Though I definitely see the case for Nellis. But they've ALL got a Patrick J. Kelly Cup on their resumes now, and that goes a longer way than a June M. Kelly trophy - with no offense intended toward the Mrs..I can’t believe they gave the MVP to Harper. Nellis’ defensive play outweights Harper’ slightly better PPG. What a steal
That's why I nominated Dylan Ferguson for MVP, for backstopping their Cup run. Though I definitely see the case for Nellis. But they've ALL got a Patrick J. Kelly Cup on their resumes now, and that goes a longer way than a June M. Kelly trophy - with no offense intended toward the Mrs..
I can’t believe they gave the MVP to Harper. Nellis’ defensive play outweights Harper’ slightly better PPG. What a steal
The response of the crowd to Harper getting the MVP was tepid-to be charitable. Ferguson was the People's Choice and it wasn't even close. Nellis and Harper both had 13 points in the playoffs. 3 others had 11 and one had 10. Harper got the 2 big goals in game 7, but certainly wasn't the offensive standout over the course of the playoffs.
Always cool to see the Cup awarded. The guys are always so happy and the other team is depressed. Great to see long time Cincinnati Cyclones player Justin Vaive get a trophy along with many Komets veterans who had never won a team championship. Hats off to Coach Ben Boudreau (son of Bruce) for his Ring. Dad won the Kelly Cup as a coach in 1999 with the Mississippi Sea Wolves.
The Komets are really part of the fabric of Fort Wayne and the Championship matters more than it would to a Cincinnati or Orlando or, even, Charleston SC.
The Komets were a well built, gritty team. They had (obviously) what it took to win when it counted the most. The Frankes were brilliant in waiting until the 12th hour to start the season from a financial and competitive standpoint. They lost the least possible money and the players didn't have the wear and tear that most have after a 72 game season and were fresh for the playoffs. No asterisk in my mind-just taking advantage of the situation like Tampa is with their LTIR $20 million over the cap roster.
I've got 2 game 5 tickets that I have to return to the Allen County Coliseum box office within a year to get a refund. Can't credit my credit card or I can't send them in via mail/FedEx. Gives me an excuse for an early FTW road trip next year.
Thank you for your contribution to The Frankes' roster rebuilding campaign for 2021-22.... I've got 2 game 5 tickets that I have to return to the Allen County Coliseum box office within a year to get a refund. Can't credit my credit card or I can't send them in via mail/FedEx. Gives me an excuse for an early FTW road trip next year.
That’s not the feeling I had yesterday in the crowd. I spoke with many people who could not believe how Nellis was robbed with his team leading 8 goals. It was infuriating to say the least.
You could see during his interview on Fox after the game how great of a teammate he is. He did not look bothered at all by the Harper selection even though it was not deserving.
I definitely could see him in Trois-Rivières next year leading their new team.
Cincinnati Cyclones – Daniel Fritz, Johnny Coughlin, Jack Van Boekel, Sean Giles, Connor Schmidt, Derek Pratt, Ryan Obuchowski, Yushiroh Hirano, Bryson Cianfrone, Ben Johnson, Jason Tackett, Thomas Beretta, Justin Vaive, Jesse Schultz, Mike Gornall, Taylor Crunk, Tyler Busch, Mason Mitchell, Matt McLeod, Chris Crane, Graham Knott
That’s not the feeling I had yesterday in the crowd. I spoke with many people who could not believe how Nellis was robbed with his team leading 8 goals. It was infuriating to say the least.
You could see during his interview on Fox after the game how great of a teammate he is. He did not look bothered at all by the Harper selection even though it was not deserving.
I definitely could see him in Trois-Rivières next year leading their new team.
Five Things We Learned From This ECHL Season
by Matthew Harding
July 9, 2021
WICHITA, Kan. – The confetti, champagne, and streamers have been cleaned up, Kelly Cup skated, and the Fort Wayne Komets have been crowned champions for the first time in their ECHL stint. Thus ends one of the oddest and yet, most remarkable seasons, in league history.
As we prepare for a dizzying offseason full of player signings – the 13 teams who sat out last season are coming back online – here are five things we learned about the recently completed season. ...
Read more at: Five Things We Learned From This ECHL Season