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.
Goaltender Kenny Reiter stopped 32 of 33 shots and all four shootout attempts he faced Friday night as the Komets defeated the Cincinnati Cyclones 2-1 in front of 5,437 fans at US Bank Arena.
The Komets’ lone goal in regulation came from Brandon Marino in the first period, tying it after Garrett Wilson scored for the Cyclones on a power play.
It was the first of three games in as many nights between the Komets (20-16-2), who have won three of their last four games, and the Cyclones (21-12-3), who have lost three of four.
The Komets are three points back of the Cyclones for first place in the North Division.
In the shootout, the Komets got goals from newcomer Brayden Metz in the first round and Jean-Michel Rizk in the fourth.
Cincinnati goalie Zoltan Hetenyi stopped 40 of 41 shots and two of four shootout attempts.
Playing for Fort Wayne were Metz, Mike Hoban and Jeremy Gates, all of whom were called up from lower levels this week.
