Lazers, Down 2 to the Comets, Are Cornered in Kansas City

Lazer Coach Keith Tozer told reporters at the conclusion of the regular season that the playoffs would be “like a new season.” Unless his team can beat the Comets in Kansas City tonight in Game 3 of its best-of-five Western Division semifinal, it will also be a very short one.

After beating the Comets in four of seven regular-season matches to gain the home-floor advantage, the Lazers proceeded to lose their first two playoff games at the Forum. To stay alive, the Lazers have to win twice in Kansas City, tonight and Saturday night. Lazer victories would send the series back to Los Angeles for the deciding game May 6.

One thing favoring the Lazers tonight is that most of their success against the Comets this season has been achieved in Kemper Arena, where they won three of four games.

Also, the first two playoff games went down to the closing minutes before the Lazers lost. In Game 2 last Saturday, the Lazers were victims of a rare display of defensive excellence on the part of the Comets and lost, 4-2. Goalkeeper Ed Gettemeier, calling his performance his best, made 18 saves while his defense blocked a club-record 27 shots.

“That’s the best I’ve ever seen him play,” Tozer said. “He was the story of the game.”

The Comets had the league’s worst defense during the regular season, allowing 290 goals, compared to the Lazers’ 266.

Again tonight, however, the Lazers will be without starting goalkeeper David Brcic, who has been out since suffering a strained back in the third period of Game 1. His replacement, A. J. Lachowecki, allowed 4 goals after coming in with his club trailing, 5-4, and the Lazers eventually lost, 9-6.

Tozer, however, tried to put his club’s predicament into proper perspective. “We’re not dead yet,” he said.