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Last updated: November 9, 2009 12:49 p.m.

Boucher says he'll play this weekend

He aggravated thumb injury Oct. 31

By Justin A. Cohn

The Journal Gazette

Komets goaltender Nick Boucher wasn't on the ice for practice Monday, as he continued to rest a thumb injury that was aggravated Oct. 31.

Asked whether he'd play this weekend, Boucher said: "Absolutely, I'll be back."

Boucher, who has guided the Komets to back-to-back Turner Cup championships, said he has suffered several minor injuries to the thumb on his right hand.

"Against Muskegon, my stick got twisted back and it snapped my thumb awkwardly. It's happened to me before," Boucher said. "There's a lot of scar tissue in there."

This is significant because it affects Boucher's ability to hold his stick properly, but with some time it should heal up fine, he said.

In the meantime, the Komets did have two goaltenders at practice -- Tim Haun and Tyler Sims.

Sims, the son of coach Al Sims, had been in training camp with the Komets but lost out to Haun in a battle for the final roster spot. He went to play for Mississippi of the Central Hockey League, but was 0-2-0 with a 5.17 goals-against average and a .831 save percentage before he was released last week.

The Komets have not signed Sims and only will if Boucher's condition worsens.

"I'm staying in shape and staying on the phone," Tyler Sims said. "I'm letting people know I'm available."

This is interesting. You'll recall that the Oct. 31 game was the one in which there were two first-period brawls that resulted in a 15-game suspension for Brad MacMillan and a 12-game suspension for Muskegon's Robin Big Snake. During the second fracas, when Jason Lawmaster was pummeling Konstantin Shafranov, there was a moment when Boucher skated out to the blue line and almost pulled Lawmaster off Shafranov. What stopped him? His thumb had just been hurt and he knew it'd be a bad idea to join the fray.

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Justin A. Cohn, pro sports coordinator for The Journal Gazette, has been covering the Fort Wayne Komets since 1997. His reporting includes game stories from home and away, features about the players and personalities associated with the Komets, plus coverage of issues affecting hockey at all levels. A native of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., Cohn graduated from Emory University in Atlanta. He can be reached at 260-461-8429 or by email at jcohn@jg.net.

i think boucher though could have handled lawmaster....id like to point out though that everyone is sayin drouin needs to step up when i was watchin the video he tried his hardest to get to lawmaster but was pretty much held back by two guys and tackled to the ground!

Posted by kometfan29 at 11/09/09 01:10:00 PM

Bouch shouldnt be getting into things like that. no offense, but chaulk and shaf were already involved therefore why should our goalie get in it too... he wouldnt have taken lawmaster... in fact it might have made the whole thing uglier... would have been fun too see tho

Posted by Booner at 11/09/09 02:00:00 PM

Well, he wasn't going to fight Lawmaster; just break it up.

Posted by Justin Cohn at 11/09/09 02:23:00 PM

right, and i probably wouldnt disagree if he chose too, but two star players were already involved.. me, personally, wouldnt want the goalie to do so also. thats why i said he wouldnt "take" lawmaster.

Posted by Booner at 11/09/09 02:46:00 PM

Yesterday while watching the NFL Redzone Channel, they switched for a few minutes to the Atlanta-Washington game. During the game, there was a late hit (the Atlanta quarterback was hit very late out of bounds) and a big melee started. It was almost to the point of both benches emptying. Funny thing though, I swear that while all of this was going on I spotted Brad MacMillan leaving the penalty box to take care of business.

Posted by Alan at 11/09/09 02:47:00 PM

Yea, I did notice Boucher went out there fast and then hesitate, I was just about to comment on it when he stopped. I could tell he wanted to. Its better that he didn't.

Posted by Kyle Hunt at 11/09/09 03:14:00 PM

Komets could of used Ray Emery

Posted by mightbite at 11/09/09 04:41:00 PM

I found this on the ICEHAWKS message board.... how funny is this that a fan actually posted this!!!

http://flagsfan.proboards.com/

Anyone have Fletchers number, if he wants to play one more time he atleast has one fan in Port Huron. Not to say he doesnt have fans.

Posted by Scoot-Toot at 11/09/09 06:10:00 PM

Saidachev on waivers Komets bringing in a tough guy

Posted by mightbite at 11/09/09 06:33:00 PM

Who they bringing in mightbite? They definitely need another tough guy.

Posted by Jeremy Mapes at 11/09/09 06:50:00 PM

Only if his name is Warner

Posted by Komets win at 11/09/09 09:10:00 PM

Evgeny Saidachev has been put on waivers by the Komets.

Does that mean Hukalo is a go?

What about Bert and Warner???

Is Syro coming back?

If all 3 of those return to the roster...we have to waive 3 more players. Man that is rough. I can only think of 2 I would or could waive at this point.

DeAngelis is a keeper.
Klempa is a Keeper.
Schrocky Balboa is a keeper.
Does this mean Phillips and Whitehead are in trouble??? Woodard maybe???

Posted by HitSomebody!!! at 11/09/09 09:23:00 PM

I definitely think they need to make room for all 3 of those guys coming back. We need their experience. Especially on defense. We seem to be lacking there this year. It would be great to get the Bertram from a couple years ago back.

Posted by Jeremy Mapes at 11/09/09 10:13:00 PM

Phillips leads the team in /-... He's solid.

Posted by JungleMonkey at 11/09/09 10:56:00 PM

Warner = tough guy come on. Bertram just isn't the same either (as far as being a tough guy) can't say I blame him, he's about the same age as me and I think getting your face pounded on (for pocket change!) and then going and working a full time physically demanding job would get old really fast. Need someone young and full of you know what and vinegar.

Posted by Hazel at 11/09/09 11:00:00 PM

I say Woodard is in trouble unless he stops turning the puck over so much. I think that Bert and Warner are safe. I'd tend to agree with Hit... I think DeAngelis, Klempa, and Schrock are keepers. However, someone's gonna have to go. They may trade one or more players for future considerations. Who knows? I'm just glad I'm not the one making the decisions.

Posted by Nathan Eddy at 11/12/09 02:11:00 PM


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