Since the Komets released forward Brandon Naurato, he has seven goals and 12 points in seven games with Dayton.

The Komets and Gems play tonight at Hara Arena.

Naurato is on a seven-game goal-scoring streak, the longest in the Central Hockey League this season. His seven-game point-scoring streak is the longest current run in the CHL.

Against the Komets, he has scored in all four games and has five points.

Amazing.

So here's the question: Was he not utilized properly in Fort Wayne? Or, is he just mentally in a different place now? Or, is there something about Dayton's systems that are just more conducive to using Naurato?

I know he kind of threw the Komets under the bus in the Dayton Daily News -- click here -- but it's not like he didn't get ice time or have an opportunity to thrive here at all. I think everyone is kind of to blame. It's not like he was attacking the net with the Komets like he has been with the Gems. Just my opinion.

But, as I've said all along, Naurato was too talented a player to just let walk, even if he asked for his release. Even if it was a bag of pucks, the Komets should have tried to get something for him.

Finally, the Komets are 3-0-2 in their last five games heading into this game. But they twice blew leads in the 6-5 overtime loss to Quad City on Friday night. So how they're doing is all a matter of perspective right now.

The Komets are six points back of Evansville for the eighth and final playoff spot out of the Turner Conference, with six games in hand. And, don't forget, there are those extra three home games the Komets will get because the Icemen are having some games against the Komets at the Coliseum instead of Evansville's Swonder Arena.

Suddenly, the playoffs seem like a strong possibility again.