As you get ready for the Komets to face the Cincinnati Cyclones in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals on Friday, here are some statistics that stand out.

-- In 28 games since he joined Fort Wayne midway through the 2013-14 season, Mike Embach has totaled 17 goals and 29 points against Cincinnati, his former team. He has scored at least one point in six of the last eight games against the Cyclones.

-- Both teams are dangerous at scoring while short-handed. Fort Wayne had a league-best 13 short-handed goals and Cincinnati had eight.

-- Fort Wayne took a lot of bad penalties this season and averaged 16.6 minutes per game, while Cincinnati averaged only 11.76.

-- Early leads could be crucial. Fort Wayne is 27-9-2 when scoring first. Cincinnati is 28-8-2. Combined, the teams were 56-1-1 when leading after two.

-- Fort Wayne may have the better-ranked power play overall, but in the season series, Cincinnati scored on 27.3 percent of its advantages and Fort Wayne was 16.7 percent.

jcohn@jg.net