MUSKEGON, Mich. -- The Komets coaching staff stressed to the players that they should avoid getting involved in any fracases with the Muskegon Lumberjacks.

With so many injuries, the Komets could ill afford to let the circus come to town.

The Komets and Lumberjacks played a hockey game -- though there was one fight between Blair Stayzer and Jason Lawmaster -- and Muskegon won 2-1 on Sunday at L.C. Walker Arena.

The Komets were already without defenseman Danko Mironovic (virus), goaltender Nick Boucher (hand), left wing Konstantin Shafranov (concussion) and right wing Brad MacMillan (suspensio). Center Travis Whitehead was limited to a few shifts because of a knee injury. And Stayzer suffered a shoulder injury during his first-period fight and was unable to return.

Fort Wayne still played well defensively, holding the Lumberjacks to 16 shots on goal. But as has been the case lately, the Komets' offense sputtered.

After Todd Robinson scored the game-winning goal during a 5-on-3 power play, the Komets got their lone goal in the third period from Lincoln Kaleigh Schrock, who was set up by Brandon Warner.

Schrock noted that the Komets (7-3-0) played well in the third period, but they must start putting together three periods of good hockey. Muskegon improved to 8-3-1.

Muskegon's John DiPace, who also scored, said his team had also stressed that it was important to just play hockey, not put on a goon show. He commended his team for its defense, after holding the Komets to 21 shots.

Fort Wayne coach Al Sims was pleased with the play of David Hukalo, the Playoff MVP, who made his season debut after offseason shoulder surgery. Hukalo put a shot off the crossbar with two seconds remaining in regulation time.

For my three stars of the game: First star, Sebastien Centomo, who was great in net for Muskegon; Second star, John DiPace, who had a goal and an assist; Third star, Colin Chaulk, who was the most spirited of Fort Wayne's players.