It’s playoff time in Fort Wayne — and the Komets are ready for battle.

Despite closing the regular season with a 4-3 shootout loss to the Bison on Sunday night, head coach Jesse Kallechy says the team’s mindset hasn’t wavered. Their focus now shifts to the Iowa Heartlanders, who will visit the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum for the opening round of the 2025 ECHL Kelly Cup Playoffs.

For Kallechy, the regular season finale was more about rhythm than result.

“It was a heck of a season and great effort pretty much every night,” he said. “As a coach, it’s been a pretty easy year in terms of getting the most out of these guys. It’s been a fun group — and we still got some hockey left.”

That hockey begins Friday night at 7:35 p.m., when Fort Wayne drops the puck on Game 1 of the best-of-seven series.

The Grit Factor

The playoffs aren’t about flash — they’re about grind. That’s something the Komets are well aware of heading into the postseason.

“It’s going to be very physical, less penalties, and it comes down to a little bit of grit and a little bit of jam,” said forward Alex Aleardi. “And I think our group has an abundance of that throughout the lineup.”

Aleardi, a playoff-tested veteran, believes the team is built for this kind of hockey — the kind where mistakes are magnified, margins shrink, and mental toughness becomes just as important as speed or skill.

“We’re in a great spot,” he said. “It’s not just about individual talent — it’s about resilience.”

Playoff Hockey: A Different Beast

For Anthony Petruzzelli, one of the team’s leaders and longest-tenured players, the difference in playoff hockey is palpable.

“Things start to get a little bit more important,” he said. “The little mistake — if it ends up in the back of your net — it’s really hard to make up come playoff time.”

The game slows down and speeds up all at once, he explains. Every shift is meaningful. Every puck battle can swing momentum. And at home, the energy in The Jungle — as the Coliseum is affectionately known — amplifies that pressure.

“A lot of the guys are going to get to really learn what The Jungle truly is,” Petruzzelli said. “Come playoff time, it’s a whole different level. Fans are a little more excited. Everyone’s a little more amped up. I can’t wait to see it.”

The Jungle Awakens

The Komets haven’t played a playoff game since 2023, and for a hockey-mad town like Fort Wayne, the postseason return brings renewed energy.

Known for one of the most passionate fanbases in the ECHL, Komets playoff games at the Coliseum are notoriously loud, intense, and deeply personal. Jerseys old and new flood the stands. Cowbells ring. Orange towels fly.

It’s a tradition that dates back decades — one that Kallechy is proud to carry forward.

“The stakes go up, but the game stays the same,” he said. “You still have to go out, perform, and you’re still playing with the same puck. For us, it’s trying to stay in the moment and attack it.”

Series Breakdown: Komets vs. Heartlanders

The Iowa Heartlanders, Fort Wayne’s first-round opponent, finished the regular season with momentum of their own. They play a gritty, physical style not unlike the Komets, making for a series that could quickly turn into a battle of attrition.

Here’s how they stack up:

Both teams are evenly matched, but home-ice advantage could be crucial in the early games. If Fort Wayne can capitalize on its rowdy home crowd, they may be able to tilt the series before heading to Iowa.

What’s at Stake

The Komets have a storied legacy — including multiple championships across different leagues — but haven’t won the Kelly Cup since 2021. After a tough 2023 season that ended without a playoff berth, this year’s squad sees the opportunity to restore that championship standard.

For Kallechy, this moment is less about pressure and more about possibility.

“You always want to win. But more than that, you want to see your team show up when it matters most. That’s what we’re focused on.”

The Komets’ combination of veteran leadership, playoff hunger, and physical identity may make them one of the tougher outs in the Eastern Conference.

Komets Playoff Schedule (Round 1 – Best-of-7 vs. Iowa)

• Game 1: Friday, April 18 – 7:35 p.m. at Fort Wayne

• Game 2: Saturday, April 19 – 7:35 p.m. at Fort Wayne

• Game 3: Tuesday, April 22 – 7:00 p.m. at Iowa

• Game 4: Wednesday, April 23 – 7:00 p.m. at Iowa

• Game 5 (if needed): Friday, April 25 – 7:00 p.m. at Iowa

• Game 6 (if needed): Sunday, April 27 – 6:05 p.m. at Fort Wayne

• Game 7 (if needed): Tuesday, April 29 – 7:35 p.m. at Fort Wayne