Sunday, February 23, 2014
Following Former Dukes in Florida
Following Former Dukes
in Florida
Chris Auger, James Hurst, Scott Fleming
Early last week, Scott Fleming and
Chris Auger rolled into Fort Myers with the rest of the Fort Wayne Komets. They
were scheduled to play three games against the Florida Everblades at the
Germaine Arena: Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. This is not an ideal
situation, as certain hostilities can flare up more quickly with games packed
so tightly together. It is necessary, however, due to the financial restraints
of the East Coast Hockey League. And the players do not mind one bit. They get
almost a week of fine Florida sunshine in the midst of one of the nastiest
winters on record.
Both former Dukes are enjoying
outstanding seasons in Fort Wayne. They play on the most productive line on the
team with Brandon Marino, another college kid from Bemidji State. The Komets
lost the first game of the late season series on Wednesday night. The
Everblades turned in a solid defensive effort, winning 4-1. I spoke with the
Comets’ coach, Gary Graham, after the game.
“I coached Chris Auger two years ago
in Fort Wayne. I am quite familiar with his game. I was aware of the fact that
he had experienced a good summer on the ice in Canada, preparing for the
season. (In the 2012-2013 season, Auger was seriously injured, and played only
four games.) I was really pleased with Auger’s progress.”
Another pleasant surprise came to
coach Graham in the form of Scott Fleming. “Chris told me that he had a friend
who might be interested in playing in Fort Wayne. I checked him out with
previous coaches, and everyone had nice things to say about Fleming. I was a
little concerned because he played very little last year.” (Six games in the
ECHL with the Gwinnett Gladiators.)
Graham summed up his report card on
both players. “They bring quality to the team, and to the locker room. They are
cerebral players, and know how to play all sections of the ice. They want to be
Komets, and they want to win.”
Fleming and Auger played two full
seasons together with the Dukes , from 2004 to 2006. The following year, Auger
went on to play at the University of Massachusetts in Lowell, enjoying an
outstanding college career. He played in the CHL the following two seasons, beginning
in Mississisppi with the RiverKings. After 50 games this season in Fort Wayne,
he has 23 goals and 19 assists.
Fleming moved on to Dartmouth College
in the ECAC after leaving the Dukes. He spent four years there, and had a cup
of coffee with the Gwinnett Gladiators last year. He has 11 goals and 23
assists this season.
Dukes fans will remember both of
these players as crafty, elusive players. Fleming had 68 points in 48 games in his last season with the Dukes.
Auger rang up 92 points in 47 games in his concluding year with the Dukes.
Neil Diamond impersonator Jay White!
Jay White sang the National Anthem, and Sweet Caroline between periods! Great job! Kitchener born, he also loves to tend the twine in his home town, Las Vegas. He plays with NHL Old Timers!
Kyle Bonis continued his fine play
for the Everblades in the series. The former Bancroft Hawk who played against
Auger and Fleming in the OPJHL, Bonis now has 32 points in 46 games, and is
competing with Fleming as the league’s rookie of the year.
On Saturday night, the Komets took
the rubber match 3-1, despite furious pressure from the Blades in the dying
moments of the game.
The Everblades goaltender, Kristers
Gudlevskis, is now on his way back to South West Florida after a stellar
performance in Sochi for his native Latvia. He very nearly relegated the
Canadian team to the netherland, losing 2-1 in a very close match.
Relax now. No more Olympics for
another four years.
James Hurst
Sportslices.blogspot.com
# posted by James Hurst @ 7:33 AM 
