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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets vs. San Antonio

February 26, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (23-23-3-5) @ UTICA COMETS (22-24-3-4)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 7 pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets return home following a four game road swing, which saw the team claim six of a possible eight points. The Comets host the San Antonio Rampage for both the first time in franchise history and the only time this season. Tonight marks the first of a stretch with four games out of five played at The AUD.

When They Last Met: The Utica Comets peppered the San Antonio Rampage's net all night, but Jacob Markstrom stopped all but two of the Comets 36 shots, including all five in the shootout, to lead his team to a 3-2 victory on Jan. 13. Winger Nicklas Jensen scored both Utica goals, while Mathieu Corbeil turned aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced.

Comets Outlook: A weary Utica Comets squad put in a valiant effort in their third game in as many nights, but came up just short in a 2-1 defeat to the Albany Devils. Jeremy Welsh found the back of the net with Utica's lone goal, as the Comets dropped to 22-24-3-4 for the campaign. Winger Darren Archibald and defenseman Frank Corrado picked up the assists on the play. Joe Cannata, who was vying for his fourth consecutive victory, made 26 saves on 28 shots but took the regulation loss despite several point blank stops.

Rampage Outlook: The Rampage dropped a 3-1 decision to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Sunday at the FirstOntario Centre. Martin St. Pierre scored twice for Hamilton, while Quinton Howden scored the lone goal for San Antonio. Dustin Tokarski picked up the win with 31 saves on 32 shots, while Jacob Markstrom was the loser with 28 stops. The loss marked just the third time over the past 19 games that the Rampage had failed to record a point.

Nicking And Screaming: Winger Nicklas Jensen remains on a tear during the month of February, with two goals over Utica's three games this weekend. Jensen has amassed eight goals during February, the most on Utica's roster. Jensen also surpassed Colin Stuart and Benn Ferriero for the team lead with six power-play goals.

It's Always Erikssony In Utica: Goaltender Joacim Eriksson won his third straight start with a 25 save effort against the Binghamton Senators on Saturday. Eriksson has now held his opposition to two goals or less in 13 of his past 18 starts. Amongst all netminders in the AHL with more than 30 games played, the Galve, Sweden ranks tenth with a .914 save percentage.

Can Do Attitude: Netminder Joe Cannata saw a three game winning streak snapped on Sunday in Albany. Cannata has recorded a .954 save percentage over his past four starts, with 126 saves on 132 shots faced. The Wakefield, MA native tied his AHL career high in victories last Sunday in Toronto.

Happy O' Lucky: Center Cal O'Reilly resurfaced in the Utica lineup on Friday evening, following a seven game lapse due to injury. O'Reilly had four points (0-4-4) over three games and now ranks second on the Comets in both assists with 20 and points per game at .79.

Lain On Our Parade: Center Kellan Lain made his way back to Vancouver on Monday evening. The 6'6" center had skated in Utica's past seven games with the NHL on their Olympic break. Lain has 12 points (7-5-12) over 42 games with the Comets this season. Lain made his NHL debut on Jan. 18 against Calgary and scored his first career NHL goal three nights later in Edmonton.

The Killers: The Comets have been efficient on their penalty kill over the past five games, with 24 of 26 penalties killed successfully, good for 92.3 percent over that span. Utica's penalty kill has also performed at an 85.5 success rate since Jan. 11. The Comets had been successful at just 73.6 percent prior to that date.

National Rampage League: San Antonio has five defensemen with 190 or more National Hockey League games played. Ryan Whitney, Matt Gilroy, Greg Zanon, Doug Janik and Mike Mottau have combined for 1,708 career games and 446 points (83-363-446) in the NHL.

Scouting The Rampage: Center Vincent Trocheck leads all San Antonio players with 37 points (15-22-37), which is also tied for sixth best in the AHL amongst rookies. Trocheck and winger Greg Rallo are tied for the team lead in shots on goal, with 145. Winger Bobby Butler is the team leader in both goals, with 16 and power-play goals with four. Center Quinton Howden is tied for second in the AHL with three short-handed goals.

Defenseman Ryan Whitney leads all Rampage blueliners with 18 points (4-14-18) over 31 games played, with his .58 points-per-game fourth best on the roster. Teammate Matt Gilroy also has 15 points (6-9-15) over 27 games played.

Jacob Markstrom has led the way between the pipes, with 27 starts leading all San Antonio goaltenders. Markstrom enters the week with a .918 save percentage, a 2.59 goals against average and 11 victories. Michael Houser leads the team with a 2.48 goals against average and has compiled a 9-6-0 record over 16 appearances.

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