Al Sims, 60, who guided the Komets to five championships between 1993 and 2012 with a stint coaching the NHL’s San Jose Sharks in between, retired Monday as the winningest coach in the francise’s 61-season history.
The Komets’ struggles continue.
Wichita raced to an early lead and cruised to a 5-1 victory Friday at Wichita, Kan.
Last-place Fort Wayne (5-11-1) was 0 for 5 on the power play and didn’t score a goal until the 5:34 mark of the third period in losing its third consecutive game and second straight in a five-game road trip.
The Komets have two road games the next two days, playing tonight at Missouri and Sunday at Quad City.
The last game of the road trip is Dec. 17.
The loss tied for the most lopsided this season for the Komets, who have lost three times by four goals.
Wichita’s Jesse Bennefield and Bobby Hughes had first-period goals, and Hughes, Daniel Tetrault and A.J. Gale added goals in the second period for a 5-0 lead.
The Komets avoided being shut out for the third time this season when Chris Francis scored in the third.
Nick Boucher started in goal for Fort Wayne but gave up all five goals. Kevin Reiter played the final 28:25 and stopped six shots.
