KC Comets update: Team rallies after injury scare; ‘Leo the Legend’ nears milestones

The Kansas City Comets brought an end to their three-game losing streak with an emphatic 10-4 win over the Milwaukee Wave on Saturday in front of nearly 4,000 at Cable Dahmer Arena in Independence.

After blowing a three-goal lead Friday in St. Louis to lose in overtime 5-4, the Comets were relentless in the second half against the conference-leading Wave, outscoring the visitors 7-1 in the final two frames.

“We had to step it up,” said defender Lesia Thetsane, who scored twice in the fourth quarter to help the Comets secure the victory Saturday. “It was going to be very unacceptable to lose twice in the same weekend.”

After making it to halftime 3-3, the Comets suffered a major injury scare when defender James Togbah crashed head-first into the boards at full speed nine seconds into the third period. After a delay as he received medical treatment, Togbah was transported to Center Point Hospital for further evaluation before being released later that night with a concussion.

That incident seemed to rally the Comets. They scored three straight goals to take a commanding 6-3 lead. Milwaukee got one back, but KC scored four more in the fourth.

“It was really hard watching James as a brother, friend and teammate being in the position he was in,” said player/coach Leo Gibson.

“I think everybody knew that we had to sacrifice ourselves because he just did it for us.”

Milestones for ‘Leo the Legend’

Gibson became the first KC Comets player to hit the 600-point milestone in Friday’s loss.

Gibson added six points in Saturday’s win (four goals, two assists), passing “Wild” Wes Wade as KC’s second all-time leading scorer with 322 goals. He now trails Kevin Koetters by just 11. Gibson is also closing in on 300 career goals in league matches; he’s currently at 295.

Next up, the Comets visit Milwaukee on Sunday before returning home to face the St. Louis Ambush Feb. 4.