THIS DATE IN COMETS HISTORY OCTOBER 10 1957--Armando Betancourt was born in La Lima, Honduras. His given first name is actually Porfirio, and he came to the Comets for the 87-88 season and played in 48 games in the midfield, scoring 5 goals and 8 assists. Betancourt was actually drafted in the first round in 1981 out of Indiana University by the St. Louis Steamers, but he went play for the Hondruan national team, and didnt join Team Steam until 1984-85. He returned to the Honduran squad again before joining the Comets. Armando was inducted into the Indiana Universitys Hall of Fame. 1984--MISL commissioner Earl Foreman ruled on the suspension for Mark Liveric that began during the 84 playoffs when he was a New York Arrow. The temperamental Liveric was suspended for the remainder of the playoffs and an indeterminate number of games the following season for starting a fight vs. the Baltimore Blast by kicking goalkeeper Keith Van Eron in the chest on May 4th, and Foreman decided Liveric would be additionally suspended for the first five games of 1984-85, the longest suspension in MISL history to that point. Im shocked and disappointed, Liveric said, I just cant believe it. I thought the appeal went alright and I thought if anything, Id get one game. By way of comparison, Charley Greene only got two games and was fined $250 for head-butting Gino Schiraldi in 1982--wheres the justice? Also that day, the Comets waived defender Billy McKeon and forward John Hayes and released free agent forward Dan OKeefe. 1987--The Comets defeated the Dallas Sidekicks 4-3 in OT in an exhibition game at Omahas Civic Auditorium before 4,011 Omahans (Omahites?). Newcomer Tonnie Wareman scored the game-winner just :42 into overtime, and probably won himself a roster spot, even though he was due to return to his homeland of Holland the next day. This was also rookie Tom Kains first game as a Comet, and he spent most of the night in the penalty box, even though he was an innocent man--he was coach Dave Clements designated 6th foul penalty server four different times! 1988--Comets VP and GM Tim Finholm, Jr. resigned to take an ownership position with Water World USA. Kirk Schnurbusch assumed his duties and became new VP of sales. 1989--The Comets defeated the brand new St. Louis Storm 3-2 in a closed scrimmage at Kemper Arena on David Doyles game-winning goal with :05 left. Things got a bit heated when Gary Heale of the Storm slammed Tom Kain into the plexiglas in the 4th quarter, but all was soon forgiven. Jan Goossens was momentarily dazed when an errant shot struck him in the head while he was drinking water on the bench. Mike Dowler played the first half in goal, while Jim Gorsek played the second half.
Posted on: Fri, 10 Oct 2014 02:27:36 +0000