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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets at Stars

January 11, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


UTICA COMETS (11-18-1-2) @ TEXAS STARS (21-10-2-3)

Cedar Park Arena, 8 p.m. EST

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets are looking to end their active three game skid as they travel to Texas to take on the Stars.  The Comets are currently in the midst of the four game road swing, which concludes on Monday night in San Antonio.

When They Last Met: The Comets dropped another tight game, 2-1 against the Stars back on November 16th at The AUD. Alexandre Grenier scored Utica's lone goal, while Joacim Eriksson turned aside 21 Texas shots.  Despite a 29-23 advantage in shots on net, the Comets were defeated by a strong performance from Cristopher Nilstorp, who made 28 saves. Mike Hedden and Matej Stransky each scored for Texas.

Comets Outlook: The Oklahoma City Barons defeated the Comets in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday, a 3-2 nail biter at the Cox Convention Center. The Barons scored with just four seconds left in regulation to force overtime, before ending the game just 17 seconds into the extra session. Nicklas Jensen found the back of the net twice for Utica, while goaltender Joe Cannata made 29 saves on 32 shots to earn the Comets a point.

Stars Outlook: Texas is now on the second half of a home back-to-back, after they defeated the Abbotsford Heat 5-0 last evening. Brett Richie led the way for Texas with three points (2-1-3) and Justin Dowling, Travis Morin and Francis Wathier also scored scored for the Stars. Nilstorp earned his first shutout of the season, as he saved each of Abbotsford's 28 shots on goal.

Two Nickets To Paradise: Comets winger Nicklas Jensen led the way offensively against Oklahoma City with both goals in the 3-2 overtime loss. The Danish forward was also the only Utica player to finish with a positive rating (+1). Jensen, who had just one goal prior to the game, picked up the second multi-goal game of his AHL career. The winger previously had a hat trick as a member of the Chicago Wolves on Apr. 15 against the Peoria Rivermen.

A Grand Re-Benntrance: In his first game back from the Vancouver Canucks, Benn Ferriero recorded an assist, coming on Jensen's second goal of the evening. Ferriero now ranks second on the Comets with 13 assists for the season.

Enter The Lion's Gren: With his assist against the Barons, Grenier maintained his status in third place in helpers. Grenier is tied for 14th in rookie goal scoring and has moved into a tie for 14th in points as well with 22 (10-12-22). The Laval, QC native has now collected a point in three straight games for the third time this season.

Front Row Joe: With Joacim Eriksson back in Vancouver, Joe Cannata has once again assumed the starting position in Utica, where he responded with 29 saves on 32 shots. Cannata has now earned standings points for the Comets in five starts this season.

All Welsh and Good: Utica center Jeremy Welsh appeared in his 100th career game as a professional on Thursday evening in Oklahoma City.  Welsh, who has appeared in six games this season with the Comets, has collected 26 points (14-12-26) over 75 AHL games and two points (1-1-2) in 25 NHL games.

Matchbox Final Twenty: The Comets have now earned points in 14 of 17 games when they are leading or tied after two periods. Following their overtime point on Thursday, the Comets are now 11-3-2-1 when they are not trailing with twenty minutes to play.

Scouting The Stars: Texas currently possesses three of the AHL's top four scorers and four of the league's Top 10. Travis Morin (20-27-47), Colton Sceviour (22-15-37) and Chris Mueller (15-19-34) have led the way offensively for Texas. Morin leads the AHL in assists and points, while Sceviour leads the league in goals. Winger Curtis McKenzie, who ranks 10th in the AHL in scoring, is second amongst rookies with 31 points (11-21-32) behind just Binghamton's Ryan Strome.

Defenseman Maxime Fortunus is the leader on the blue line with 18 points (3-15-18) over 30 games played. Fortunus is tied for seventh in the league amongst defensemen with 10 power-play assists.

Christopher Nilstorp leads Texas with 22 appearances and a 10-9-2 record. The Malmo, Sweden native enters tonight's action with a .904 save percentage and a 2,96 goals against average.

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