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48 Responses to “Watch: Game 4 Highlights, Komets’ Fans Wait For Rush Outside Locker Room”
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This will be a war sunday night. There’s no doubt the Rush have a new rival. Not a good idea for Ft Wayne to fuel the fire coming into Rapid City. I think it’s a bad idea letting the fans hang around the gate after the game. Seems that they’re asking for trouble letting fans heckle so close to the exiting players. I wasn’t there so hard for me to say. If that was a Ft Wayne official asking the fans to display class, he pretty much told it like it was. See everyone sunday. Go Rush!
Like the song says “Even the Losers get lucky sometimes”
The little Mt. Rushmore graphic looked more like a terrorist attack than anything, no?
Also, good that they kept those animals caged.
I’m a die-hard Komets fan and always will be but don’t like the heckling that occurred after the game and it does NOT represent the Komet fan base as a whole. It’s disrespectful, nasty and uncalled for. However, it’s also a pretty clear reflection of the way the Rush have played the game this whole series! The Rush play down and dirty and while our players have enough class to not retaliate on the ice, our fans can’t restrain themselves in the same manner after watching it 2 games in a row. But the best team won, and they won clean and fair. And we’ll do it again tomorrow. GO KOMETS!
I could publish a book on these 2 teams but of course my opinion would be biased, and its just that,an opinion. Rapid City has been playing without class this whole series and thats why the fans were heckling the Rush players as they left. Isnt Rapid City the defending Champs? Then act like it. Im not saying the Komets have played this series completely clean everyone has there cheap shots and its hockey. The Rush have an awesome team and this a series for the ages, if it werent there wouldnt be this kind of feedback. I say keep the intensity up for game 5 and whoever wins game 5 is the better team. Best of luck to both teams!! I’ll refrain from commenting on King, Reaney, and Menei amongst others being pathetic
“OrAnGeAnDbLaCk — I think in your statement “Rapid City has been playing without class this whole series and thats why the fans were heckling the Rush players as they left. Isnt Rapid City the defending Champs?” — this could be applied equally to your Komets. Aren’t they “defending” IHL champs — shouldn’t they be acting like it to?
That’s the thing, the Komets actually have been playing with class…You haven’t seen a single Fort Wayne player jump/hit someone from behind, the same can’t be said for the Rush. The Komets also haven’t been diving every single time someone touched them and faking injuries (not talking about Menei) …can’t forget about your #20 shaking his crotch at center ice with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game last night…
Your team has been dirty and playing like thugs both games here. The Rush is a VERY good team but their dives, hits from behinds, miracle cures, etc etc have been them look like a team of hacks. They don’t know what to do when they’re losing and that is obvious by the crap they pull
Oh, please – your players have enough class not to retaliate on the ice? Roll game tape 2 starting at 2:27. Roll any video of the last 15 games you guys have played this season – against anyone.
We have a reputation too. We are a team that plays hard physical hockey and is hard to beat 5 on 5 by any team in the league which is why the main goal of opposing teams is to draw penalties and get us in the box. We have guys who don’t mind participating from time to time unfortunately.
Do you have the mistaken belief they expressly brought your team in to the CHL is to show the league the meaning of class? If this is what you believe you were leading in in the IHL then yes the others were failing miserably. I’ve not seen this kind of behavior from any other of the IHL teams, organizations or fan base this year. It is despicable depending on your point of view. And yours is arguable.
Even your own Colin Chaulk said in an interview in one of your rags that you guys didn’t deserve to win game 3 and one of your people said you guys aren’t the better hockey team. Yes, it’s unfortunate that our team is getting caught up in your teams miserable drivel so we aren’t playing 5 on 5 hockey.
So, keep playing cheap shot hockey and see if the better team (Rush) or the cheap shot team (Komets) win. Win or lose we can hold our heads high knowing our team is the better all around team with real class and talent. Happy Easter!
at least the rushmore plaza civic center let people stand by where the other team walks out the buildingi worked parking lot there at the civic center i had players walk past me i showed more class to the opponents then what there fans did.
Look at the Mt. Rushmore display with the heads tumbling-that is pathic. This is a display of a cheap,classless acts that The Komets do.This effects everybody that comes to South Dakota that goes to Mt. Rushmore. WOW!
I’m sorry, but getting mad about fans yelling or promos on the big screen might just be because you can’t handle the fact that your team that looked so good in game one might blow this series!!! Like many have said, from both teams, the team that wins game five is the better team. Who wants it more? Who will go that extra inch? Who will take that extra hit and keep going? If it’s the Rush, more power to ya…if it’s the Komets, bring on the Eagles!!!
Usually there are no gates up after the game and the other teams players talk with fans (the handful ithat know a apecific player, want autographs, etc and it’s no big deal…The crap Rapid City did caused our fans to get angry and feel the need to heckle them as they left, because of the amount of fans they brought out the gates…Def. Not an every game thing…
Bring on the War tomorrow night because its going to be nasty. Its going to be bloody. and the Komets are going to finally fall to the ground. the boys have a 17 hour bus ride home to stew and get pissed off rethink the things that went wrong and then on top of it coach chewing A$$ up and down the bus. They will be coming out Sunday with a mission. We all know the Rush are the better hockey team. A classier organization. And it will be shown Sunday @6pm MST LETS GO RUSH!!!
Amen, Josh!!!
Yeah, yeah, yeah… I read all of you Rush fans telling us how your team was coming to FW to complete a sweep. How’d that work out? I’m not driving 18 hours for conference semi-finals. I’ll save my travel for the finals. Do my a favor though, take some orange and black streamers to celebrate the Komet victory. Thanks.
You might have better players, but you blew two chances to show you are the better team. Like I said, let’s see what happens tomorrow before we get to high on ourselves…
Excuse me but this is HOCKEY what does anyone expect to see from any player on any team – Fights , Hard hockey playing, Penalties – Why do we all watch Hockey – For all of these reasons – Lets just hope all of us fans can have a little respect for everyone Players and Fans!!
Anyone ever watch professional hockey this is how it’s done!!
Let’s Go RUSH!!!
I am a hockey fan in northern IL. and i just watched the highlights of the game and I have to say that was a bad hit and that player should be kicked out of hockey forever. he was clearly trying to hurt the other player with a hit to his head. There is no place in this sport for that kind of play, and if the Rush org. and fans feel that that is hockey, then they need to join the WWF. Go Blackhawks, Go Komets!
I would like to thank the fine folks behind InsideDakotaSports for their fine work with the coverage of the Rush/Komets. The highlight videos and the pictures of the games are some of the best! Great work!!!
I think the “rabid city” team will lose
I am really sick of the who has class and who doesn’t. I have been watching the series; I have seen cheap shots by both teams. I think the whole reason these teams are having such a rival is they are exactly alike. The way they play is the same. Both teams are very physical and get in cheap shots when they can. They both try to draw a penalty when they can. The fans as the Rush were leaving – I am sorry that is pathetic. I know the blood is alittle hot but that is uncalled for. Would you want the Komets to be treated this way? Respect still needs to be shown to each team. The game Sunday should be a good one and may the best team win!
I never seen fans act like this. I’ve been a season ticket holder for the Komets for 22 yrs. Never seen gates up either.
GO KOMETS!!! Just a FYI the RC Rush just got beat by the team that has been trailing in last for about half the season. GO KOMETS!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfKCS3HPeg8
all i gotta say
GO KOMETS!
cubsfan and GOON rest our cases!! GO KOMETS!!!
I am a Rush fan. I’ll get that out of the way right off. I’ll will say this though : There has been plenty of low blows, classlessness, and just stupid behavior on the part of both teams’ players and fans. I had a Komet fan push me and try to start a fight while I was carrying my son to our seat and I had a Rush fan try to fight me because he thought I was a Komet fan (both encounters probably had more to do with a few too many beers than anything). I watched a Rush fan toss beer over the glass after game 2, and watched a Komet fan try to fight that fan after. Enough finger pointing (index, not middle) to go around. I hope Sunday is a good, CLEAN, well played game on both fronts and may the best team win. I’ll catch this one on the radio, although I’d like to be there in person for sure. Drive safe Komet fan’s, behave yourself Rush fan’s (remember: we were voted best fan’s in the CHL for a reason), but most of all GO RUSH!!
Having been a Komets fan all my life, I’ve been to the jungle more times than I care to count. I’ve seen players traded and the bullies from one season become our heroes the next. I’m the first to call foul (on both sides) and the first to clap for the other team on well-played games. (For example, one of the saves last night, while laying on his back? Very impressive!). There have been good plays, bad plays, good hits, bad hits and enough drama on both benches to last all summer long. However, what disappoints me from last night (and esp. this highlights clip) is the fact that it’s missing some key pieces. For example, when a player (I think it was Harvey, but don’t quote me on it, I was dealing with a cranky baby) grabbed his crotch at the crowd, when another was slashing before the puck even dropped or how about when Reaney was egging these fans on at these gates? I’m in no way defending the actions of these so-called fans, some of their actions were downright disgusting and I wish they would have been escorted out of the arena.
Having never been lucky enough to go on a road trip, I’ve never seen how K’s are treated on the road, but I’d love to see the tape (unedited) of the team leaving Rapid City tomorrow night. I’ve obviously only ever seen our fans in action, but if we really are so classless and the lowest of the low (as I’ve been reading here, there and everywhere today), I’d love to see how “classy” fans treat our team whether they win or lose.
In other news, I think the coverage inside dakota sports has is superb. We have some fantastic Komet’s bloggers, but I love the photo and video coverage you provide here! Win or lose tomorrow, it’s been a great series and I’m glad our comeback kids have had the chance to step up and show you what we’re capable of!
Lol this cracks me up. I love how best fans is voted on. First, Do you really think that teams outside the original CHL had any chance of that award? REally? REALLY? Second, If OC got suspended for his hit then the hit on 82 for the Komets should be a guaranteed game or more per Lewis’ statement regarding the hit from OC. That being said do u think the league will do anything? NOPE. Also I have personally had a concussion before and know many others who have and you dont jump back in and play a major contact sport like hockey in less then a week after a concussion. Do I believe Menei was hurt yes…but not as much as was let on. Attack me but that still doesnt quite add up. As far as fans go I have been to other arenas where fans were not only vocal but were physical. That unfortunately happens at some arenas and a lot of it is do to security issues and like a previous blogger stated beer. Lucky for the Rush one of our best players if not best player wont play tomorrow so theres another advantage for you. We should not be two men down but we will be bc the league wont step up and suspend actor number 2 Harvey. Some rush fans here had some good common sense post and Im glad I came and read this bc I now have some respect for your fan base bc before my stop here I had none. GOd bless everyone this Easter….and yes I know I said that on a hockey blog…glad I live several hundred miles away.
You wouldn’t see any fans saying anything to your boys — we provide visiting team with a secure entrance/exit directly to their bus, — they don’t ever meet up with the fans unless they go out of the back area — so you won’t be seeing anything like what happened in Ft Wayne happening here in SD, that’s for sure.
or when they walk to the hotel usaully from rapid city civic center
Well that’s pretty cool. Most of the time there are little to no security issues with the visitors leaving the locker room, but being as our facility was built in ’52, I don’t think they ever considered that drunk rowdy idiots would become any sort of a serious issue.
Like I said, it’s too bad that a few idiots make the other 8,000 in attendance look bad. It’s also too bad that the video didn’t show part of what I saw that riled people up.
Idk if this has been posted over here or not, but here’s some of the press on your players. See, we don’t all think they are bad eggs.
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20110422/BLOGS11/110429785
Ok everyone who ever wins is the better team that’s a given. As for our Komets fans going down and voicing themselves to the rush team maybe it was not our finest moment but when we as fans had to watch the rush players give us the finger grab their crotch towards us purposely hit the glass with their stick and watching one our players getting their head almost taken off on purpose, excuse us for being a little offended and wanting to voice our anger. We have Passion for our team we live and die with this team maybe that makes us nuts or extreme in your books but for us its a way of life we love the Komets. That’s why we been around so long. That’s why the NHL original six and the hershey bears are the only hockey teams that have been around longer. So rush fans and players let me apologize for the actions of maybe a hundred fans out our 8 thousand plus fans that were at that game and almost every Komets game. Don’t judge us on the actionsof a hundred people when the Komets nation is much deeper and bigger than that.
Im sure Harvey was retaliating against the hit on Menei – that’s what our guys do they stick up for their buddies – and I’m sure Menei didn’t fake it – you had to be here to see the hit – was pretty bad and I’m sure he would have liked to play the next game and maybe we wouldn’t have lost that game if he was. Then this would have all been over!
But it is what it is and that’s how hockey is played you have to take the good with the bad!
But our fan’s would never act like the one’s in the video or should I say would never be allowed to (at least). And why were they so angry anyway the Komets won both games – shouldn’t they be celebrating?
And as for the Mt. Rushmore video that was like a terrorist threat – who does that – aren’t you Komet fans Americans!!
What does Mt. Rushmore have to do with Hockey?
These video’s are suppose to be funny not threatening! I just thought that was a low blow!!
Really? Are you also mad at the video of Mt. Rushmore singing??? Is it really a terrorist attract that a comet come crashing in from outer space? It’s a promo video…get over it!!!
I can’t wait till this game is done so we can all move on! One of us will play the Eagles, one of us will play some golf, and Mt. Rushmore will still be standing for all Americans to love!
rush fan, are you serious? In the movie Superman 2, Mt.Rushmore was defaced by aliens.Go to the Komets web site & they have a picture of Icy Eagle & Nick Boucher on Mt.Rushmore
http://www.komets.com/
Ok, you realize how lame you sound, grasping at straws trying to make Komet fans into pseudo terrorists, right?
Happy Easter everyone. This will be a great game tonight. I know many people have plans for the holiday and many are out of town. No doubt that tonight will be worth every penny or effort to be there. Hope to see a big crowd. Thanks to both teams for their fire and passion. I hope fans behave. Class!
Harvey’s hit wasn’t a retaliation for the hit on Menei… it was a product of several of the Rush players taking shots at the Komets trying to get under their skin and start something to throw them off their game the entire 3rd period. And it wasn’t just Harvey and the usual suspects Reaney and King either. Weselowski and LeBlanc were taking a few shot too… they just weren’t as noticeable or blatant. It was frustration on the part of the Rush… pure and simple.
There’s been a lot said this series, and no doubt a real intense rivalry had formed. That said, I think we all need to take a step back and try to look at things from a more rational perspective.
Clearly, things really heated up with O’Connor’s hit on Menei in game 2. The Rush and their fans think it was intentional. Fine… think that… whatever. But the ONLY ‘evidence’ you have for your theory is that Menei got a hat trick the night before. O’Connor has never been that kind of player and Sims really is not that kind of coach. We had AHL enforcer Jon Mirasty here for the last third of the season and Sims barely used him. He was the extra forward on most nights and was lucky to get a shift or two per period. How does that translate to a gang of thugs? Fact is, O’Connor is a speedy skill player with all of 38 PIM all season. If we were looking to take out your best player, why would we use OC? Every team has enforcers, agitators and tough guys. Cescon and Schrock are ours. It doesn’t add up. Menei was skating essentially backwards/sideways toward the Komet bench and OC was just coming off the bench. IMO it looks like OC tried to duck in front of Menei and check him in the chest but got him in the chin instead. I don’t think he meant for it to be such a bad hit. He’s just NOT that kind of player. As far as why the ref didn’t blow the whistle… I have no idea. You’d have to ask him. Anyway, Wray challenged OC and OC answered the bell, but the fuse had already been lit.
Moving on to the games in Ft. Wayne. The Komets played a horrible first period and fell behind 2-0. The ref spoke to both coaches before the 2nd period began… perhaps to try to keep things under control… I can’t be sure. Then it became 3-0. At that point, I could see coach Ferras talking to all of your players… probably praising them and also probably telling them not to get caught up in any garbage that he thought may be coming. Perfectly understandable. But then, even up 3-0, a Rush player or coach was in the ref’s ear after nearly EVERY whistle. This is where the Komets fans accusations of whining are coming from IMO. Beyond that, I thought game 3 was pretty well officiated. The Komets made a shocking comeback and it was a series again.
In game 4, the Komets came out flying and the Rush came out flat, and eventually the score reached 4-0 at the end of 2. Then the very thing coach Ferras though might start happening when the score was 3-0 in game 3 began happening in game 4, only the other way around. The Rush were being must more aggressive and trying the throw the Komets off their game, and the Komets pulled back into the dreaded trap. As the 3rd period progressed, the chippiness from the Rush got more blatant and more frequent… little puches to the head behind the play, face washes, extra shoves, etc., until Harvey scored and then continued to act like a fool. Harvey probably should’ve been sent off before he had the chance to take that run at Ratchuk, but then Harvey probably shouldn’t have continued to act like such a fool either. Anyway, it wound up costing Harvey 2 games and making things even again for game 5 since both teams have now lost the roster spot.
Anyway, my point to all this is it’s hockey. Things get rough and dirty sometimes and sometimes guys get hurt… even from clean hits (I’m not saying O’Connor’s was clean… I’m just saying injuries from clean hits happen too). We all root for our teams and we all will be biased. That’s being a fan.
After taking some time to look back and reflect on this series, my admittedly biased opinion is this: It’s been a great hard fought series. There’s been plenty of tough hits, tough play and bad blood. But you cannot and will not convince me that the hit on Menei was intentional or ordered. I believe it was just an unfortunate hit from a player who NEVER does that kind of thing, but under the rules as they are today it DID warrant a suspension. That Menei came back earlier than expected does look fishy to Komets fans since OC still has to sit, and Franke will surely be fined for his comments about the league and the Rush. But here’s what I’ll say about the Rush… they chirp and talk a LOT… particularly Reaney. And as annoying as that can be, that’s fine. It’s part of trying to get under the opponent’s skin and the opponent needs to do their best to be above it. The main difference I see is that the majority the nasty hits that the Rush have dished out have been retaliatory and intentional, and to my mind that speaks to a lack of discipline. I’m not saying the Komets don’t do it, but in this series when they could have started to goon it up and lose control when it was 3-0 and 4-1 in game 3, they didn’t. Nothing happened. But in game 4, it sure did.
Anyway… sorry about the book. I just wanted to get my thoughts out. Let’s hope for a good, clean, hard fought game tonight. And may the better, more disciplined team win
Maybe im old fashioned but the fans outside of the Rush’s locker heckling them doesnt bother me. When you are a professional sports athlete you should know your gonna get heckled. You cant tell me that Rush fans have never yelled at a visiting team while on the bench, or in the penalty box? Also TERRORISTS REALLY? Thats laughable. And Harvey was not retaliating on the hit Menie took. Remember your team already did that to OC the same game. Also i thinks its funny how Harvey and Ratchuk were teams mates in the AHL but yet Harvey blatantly took him out.
Wow these blogs are more fun then reading the comics!!! All i gotta say is LETS GO KOMETS!!!!
Some of the K fans did not have class, but there were some RC players that didn’t either. Don’t be blind to either side. Both teams just want to win.
ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS – THIS IS HOCKEY AND EVERYBODY GET OVER IT AND MOVE ON!!!
So glad I was standing behind these people telling them what idiots they were for acting like this. I’m even more glad someone got it on video so now they can see it for themselves.
Congratulations to the Rush, good luck the rest of the way!!
I am a firm believer that everything comes around. Congratulations Rush, you finished the series with class.
lowlifes… a dusty race of people for sure!!
I am a Rush fan and I gotta say I couldnt care less about class. Is that what you want to say about your team, that “My hockey team is classy.” That is why this “class” thing is so funny to me. So, Komet fans, if you want to say that your team has more class than the Rush, guess what? Go For It! Ha Ha Ha Ha