The Fort Wayne Komets, coached by Fort Frances native Dave Allison, beat the Asheville Smoke 3-2 and 4-2 to sweep their first-round best-of-three United Hockey League playoff series.
They now move on to their best-of-seven quarter-final series with the Binghamton Icemen.
The Komets finished the regular season in fourth place in the Central Division with a 40-27-7 record.
Jon Austin, a native of International Falls, Mn., had an assist in each game against Asheville. In 53 regular-season games, the first-year UHL player netted 11 goals and added 18 assists.
Meanwhile, the Rockford IceHogs, with former Muskie Wayne Strachan, were eliminated from the UHL playoffs Sunday with a 5-2 loss to the Madison Kodiaks.
The IceHogs opened the best-of-three series with a 5-2 win but then lost game two 6-3.
Strachan had a goal and an assist against Madison.
After missing the first 33 games of the season before joining the team Jan. 7, Strachan finished fourth in team scoring with 18 goals and 27 assists.
He also was tied for the team lead in power-play goals with nine.
But Rockford struggled this past season, finishing last in the Western Division with a 32-34-8 record.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
