Defenseman Chase Stewart, who had impressed as a rookie with four goals and 11 points in 20 games, has left the Komets. He has accepted a college scholarship and will play hockey in Canada, and he has therefore been placed on team suspension.

So it's good for him, bad for the Komets.

Remember, the Komets are hoping to get Cody Sol back soon, perhaps this week. And they are hoping that Trey Phillips can make up for the offensive loss.

But this is a big blow defensively, in my opinion, since Stewart might have been their best defenseman in a lot of respects.

jcohn@jg.net