KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN -- After their season-opening 5-3 victory tonight at Wings Event Center, the Komets were pleased with the resiliency that got them a come-from-behind victory and with the grit.

They blocked a lot of shots throughout the night, particularly when the Kalamazoo Wings were on power plays or had pulled their goaltender for a late extra attacker.

(See video highlights of the game above.)

“This team was willing to do some things, like blocking shots and sacrificing in certain areas,” said coach Gary Graham. “Like Garrett Meurs, he was unselfish. When we got that first power play goal, it happened because he took a punch in the face (from Brett Ponich) and didn’t retaliate. That got us a power play. Meursy doing that showed me a lot right away because he basically set that power play up and we executed on it and that’s a big team thing."

Heading into the rematch Saturday at Memorial Coliseum, it's clear the Komets have to work on limiting penalties and turnovers.

The Komets got goals from Shawn Szydlowski and Mike Embach plus newcomers Alex Belzile, Trevor Cheek and Garrett Thompson in a back-and-forth game. Goaltender Pat Nagle was stellar with 34 saves.

“We’ve got to stay out of the box and watch the turnovers. We hurt ourselves and that’s what happens,” said Szydlowski, whose Komets scored on 2 of 3 power plays and killed 6 of 7 Wings power plays.

jcohn@jg.net