The Komets were very good in overtime shootouts this season, winning 10 of 12 in which they participated, including the one that decided their 3-2 victory Saturday over the Cincinnati Cyclones.

In the shootout, the Komets got goals from Paul Crowder, Shawn Szydlowski and Brett Perlini, while Cincinnati’s tallies came from Jack Downing and Josh Shalla.

Komets goaltender Roman Will stopped 34 of 36 shots and 3 of 5 shootout attempts. For Cincinnati, which was eliminated from playoff contention, Rob Madore had 31 saves and two shootout stops.

The Komets’ next game will be in the postseason and sudden-death overtime is utilized there.

After the game, Szydlowski was presented the Foss Folk Memorial Trophy as team MVP, which is an honor voted on by the players. Szydlowski led the team in goals (38) and points (74) in 57 games, a season after he had 11 goals and 26 points in 63 games with the Komets.

Even though Will made the ECHL’s All-Rookie Team, forward Eric Faille was selected as the Komets’ Rookie of the Year after voting among reporters and team officials. Drew Daniels was picked as Defenseman of the Year.

Defenseman Joey Leach, whose wrist was cut by a skate in Friday’s 6-0 loss at Kalamazoo, Michigan, won’t play again this season, general manager David Franke said. Leach is slated to have surgery Monday, though it’s believed he didn’t suffer damage to his tendons. Leach had two goals, 19 points and a plus-37 rating in 52 games.

On Friday, the Komets had waived defenseman Matt Krug. That move was redacted because he failed his exit physical, so he’s been placed on injured reserve but Franke said he won’t play in the postseason.

For the playoffs, the Komets will be in search of a new defenseman either through free agency or their affiliation with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche and American Hockey League’s Lake Erie Monsters.

The Komets, the second seed, will open the best-of-seven North Division Semifinals on Friday and Saturday at the Coliseum against Kalamazoo. Game 3 of the 2-3-2 series will be April 22 at Wings Stadium.

The Komets were 8-7-0 against the Wings in the regular season.

Tonight, the Cyclones dominated the first three minutes of the game but succumbed to the first goal, which came off the stick of forward Matt Lowry on a shot from the left circle at 3:40. Faille got a short-handed breakaway goal at 18:08 for a 2-0 lead.

During the scoreless second period, Fort Wayne’s Ian Barteaux fought Shalla.

With goals 2:03 apart in the third period, by Branden Gracel and David MacDonald (power play), the Cyclones tied it at 2. Gracel skated down the win and around the defense before putting the puck underneath Will. MacDonald netted a shot from the left circle.

The Cyclones eliminated the Komets from the playoffs last season and ultimately reached the Kelly Cup Finals, but they needed a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt this season. They were eliminated during the third period, though, when Wheeling beat Elmira.

Notes: A fund has been set up for donations to assist in medical care of assistant equipment manager Gary Tuch, who has blood clots in his lungs and leg, at www.gofundme.com/r26x4chc. ... Komets forward Matthew Pistilli is improving from a head injury and should be available for Game 1.

Here are the winners of the team awards:

Komets team awards

MVP: Shawn Szydlowski

Most Improved Player: Brett Perlini

Defenseman of the Year: Drew Daniels

Rookie of the Year: Eric Faille

Stonewall Defensive Forward: Mike Embach

Unsung Hero: Pat Nagle

"True Komet": Mike Embach

Mr. Hustle: Mike Embach

Gallmeier Community Service: Mike Embach

Here is the schedule for the upcoming playoff series:

North Division Semifinals

Komets vs. Kalamazoo

Best of seven

Game 1, 8 p.m. Friday at Memorial Coliseum

Game 2, 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coliseum

Game 3, 7 p.m. April 22 in Kalamazoo

Game 4, 7:30 p.m. April 24 in Kalamazoo

Game 5, 7:30 p.m. April 25 in Kalamazoo*

Game 6, 7:30 p.m. April 27 at the Coliseum*

Game 7, 7:30 p.m. April 29 at the Coliseum*

*If necessary

jcohn@jg.net