It looks as if Komets defenseman Jake Pence is headed to the injured reserve list again. Pence got nailed in the ribs Saturday night in Kalamazoo, aggravating a previous injury that kept him out of the lineup until last weekend. Pence said he was on the penalty kill during the second period when he got hit up against the boards.
“I knew it right away,” he said. “It knocked the wind out of me. I had extra pads on, and it dispersed it a little, but not enough.”
Originally, Pence suffered the same injury last year in Game 6 of the Turner Cup Finals, and then again in an exhibition game this fall. He went to the doctor Monday and said he'll need a bone density scan for further evaluation.
“My whole career I've never had to sit out any amount of time for an injury,” Pence said. “I've never had to deal with this before. The worst thing is I don't know what it is and what to do about it.
“I felt great this weekend. I got a ton of ice time and got some responsibility on the PK and the PP, and now I'm back to square one.”
Komets General Manager David Franke said Brandon Warner has said he's ready to come back to the lineup and the team is looking for another defenseman, but not too hard. There are six healthy defensemen on the roster.
The team is giving former Komet Adam Lewis a tryout. Lewis, 30, has not played since the 2004-05 season, when he played 20 games. The left wing was part of the Komets' 2003 Colonial Cup championship team. If signed, Lewis would count as a veteran, leaving one veteran spot open.
