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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets at Toronto

January 4, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


UTICA COMETS (11-16-1-2) @ TORONTO MARLIES (18-11-2-1)

Ricoh Coliseum, 5 p.m.

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets take to the road for the first time in 2014 as they travel north of the border to faceoff with the Toronto Marlies. The Marlies are currently the only divisional foe Utica has not defeated this season, with Toronto winning their only past meeting, 5-2 on Nov. 5.

When They Last Met: Behind a three point night (2-1-3) from defenseman TJ Brennan, the Marlies defeated the Comets 5-2 on Nov. 5 at The AUD. Sam Carrick (1-1-2), Wade MacLeod (0-2-2) and Spencer Abbott (0-2-2) each recorded multi-point games for the Marlies, while Benn Ferriero and Alexandre Grenier led the way for the Comets with a goal apiece.  Drew MacIntyre was the goaltender of record for Toronto with 19 saves, while Joacim Eriksson took the loss for Utica, with five goals allowed on 29 shots.

Comets Outlook: Kellan Lain and Pascal Pelletier each found the back of the net, but it was not enough as the Comets dropped a 5-2 decision to the Rochester Americans. Despite tying their home season high with 35 shots on net, the Comets could not solve Matt Hackett, who finished with 33 saves and the victory. In net for his fourth consecutive start, Joe Cannata made 21 saves in the loss to fall to 3-8-0-1on the season.

Marlies Outlook: Toronto is also in the second half of a back-to-back, after they fell last evening by a 6-3 scoreline to the Syracuse Crunch at Ricoh Coliseum. Carter Ashton, Andrew Crescenzi and Mike Duco found the back of the net for the Marlies, while goaltender Drew MacIntyre picked up the loss with 31 saves on 37 shots. Brett Connolly led the Crunch with three points (1-2-3) and center Vladimir Namestnikov potted two goals.

Pelletier Leads The Way: Pascal Pelletier found the back of the net for the second straight game to maintain his point-per-game pace. The center from Labrador City, NL now has 27 points through 27 games played, the only Comet player scoring at a point-per-game clip.   Pelletier's 20 assists are tied for sixth in the AHL.

Quadruple Dog Darren: Utica forward Darren Archibald has recorded points in each of his last four games played, extended with his assist on Pelletier's goal. Archibald has collected five points (3-2-5) over the four games and has also picked up two fighting majors and eight shots on goal throughout the streak.

All Good Things Must Come To An End: The Comets power-play scoring streak on home ice finally came to a close at ten games, as they failed to score with the man-advantage against Rochester. The Comets went 0-5 against the Americans. The last time the Comets were unable to score a power-play goal on home ice was Nov. 16 against the Texas Stars.

O Canada: The Comets enter tonight's game undefeated in Canada this season, boasting a 3-0 record north of the border. Utica, which has defeated Hamilton once and Abbotsford twice, has outscored its opponents 10-6 in games played in the great white north.

Husk-In Style: Defenseman Kent Huskins recorded his first point as a Utica Comet with an assist on Lain's goal. The assist was the 150th of Huskins' professional career. The veteran blueliner will skate in his 750th career professional game tonight against the Marlies.

A Breath Of Fresh Eriksson: Goaltender Joacim Eriksson was recently re-assigned on loan to the Comets with Roberto Luongo's return to the Vancouver lineup. Eriksson leads Utica this season in wins (8), goals against average (2.77), save percentage (.907) and shutouts (2). Eriksson returned to the active lineup for the Comets, serving as Joe Cannata's backup against Rochester.

Scouting The Marlies: Spencer Abbott has been one of the AHL's top playmakers this season, currently ranking second in the league with 25 assists. Abbott also ranks tied for tenth in the AHL with 30 points (5-25-30) over 30 games.  Forward Carter Ashton has performed at over a point-per-game pace through 13 games, amassing 14 points (10-4-14), with his 10 goals leading all Toronto forwards.

Defenseman TJ Brennan continues to impress and currently leads his team with 31 points (14-17-31).  Brennan's point total, which is the highest in the league amongst defensemen, also ranks him in the Top 10 in overall league scoring, tied for eighth with Texas forward Curtis McKenzie.

Drew MacIntyre has carried the load in net for the Marlies this season with 25 appearances. MacIntrye is the only goaltender in the league to break the 1,500 minute mark to date, which makes him the most played goaltender in the AHL this season.  The Charlottetown, PEI native is tied for second in the league with 15 wins and ranks sixth amongst goaltenders with 20 or more games played, with a .917 save percentage.

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