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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets vs. Adirondack

February 28, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


ADIRONDACK PHANTOMS (22-27-0-3) @ UTICA COMETS (22-25-3-4)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 7 pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets look to return to winning ways as they host the Adirondack Phantoms at The AUD for the first time this season.  The Comets dropped their most recent decision on Wednesday evening, but have picked up points in seven of their past ten games.

When They Last Met: The Utica dropped their third straight game, this 3-1 to the Adirondack Phantoms at the Glens Falls Civic Center on Dec. 7. The Comets were in search of their sixth win in seven tries away from home, but a 2-0 hole midway through the second period proved to be too much for Utica to overcome.  Darren Archibald was the lone Utica goalscorer, as his unassisted tally in the second period proved to be all the Comets would muster offensively. Joe Cannata turned away 26 of 29 shots against as he lost his second start in a row.

Comets Outlook: A The Utica Comets were unable to build on a productive weekend, as they were shutout for the first time in franchise history on home ice, 3-0 to the San Antonio Rampage.  Joey Crabb was the offensive force on the Rampage, as the veteran winger potted all three goals for the visitors. Center Vincent Trocheck also had a three-point evening, with helpers on each of Crabb's tallies. Jacob Markstrom earned his second shutout of the season and the sixth of his AHL career with 22 saves, while Joacim Eriksson stopped 27 of 30 in defeat.

Phantoms Outlook: The Phantoms were defeated for the eighth straight time, this a 3-2 defeat to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers on Feb. 22.  Adirondack got goals from center Nick Cousins and winger Chris VandeVelde, but Bridgeport scored twice in the third period to earn the victory.  Chris Langkow and Aaron Sundstrom each scored for the Sound Tigers, while Aaron Ness' goal with 10:39 left in the game proved to be the game winner. CArsen Chubek turned aside 26 of 29 in his second career AHL start in defeat, while Anders Nilsson picked up the win with 26 saves.

Nick At Nite: Winger Nicklas Jensen remains on a tear during the month of February with eight goals, the most on Utica's roster and tied for the second most in the AHL. Jensen is also the Comets leader in power-play goals, with six this season.

Worker Biega: Defenseman Alex Biega is the career leader on the Utica roster against the Phantoms, with five points (1-4-5) over eight games.  As a member of the Rochester Americans, The Harvard graduate had a multi-point game (1-1-2) in a 4-2 win over the Phantoms on Apr. 8, 2012.  Biega is scoreless in one game against Adirondack with the Comets.

Tin Can Alley: 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 for victories in a season last Sunday in Toronto.

Tic-Tac-Kaunisto: Forward Ray Kaunisto is back in Utica for his second stint with the Comets.  The 6'4" Sault Ste. Marie, MI native skated in his first home game last evening against San Antonio. Kaunisto has two points (1-1-2) over 12 games in the AHL this season, split between Lake Erie, Syracuse and Utica.

We Go Way Back: The last time that AHL teams from Utica and Glens Falls met in the Mohawk Valley in the regular season was back in 1993. The Adirondack Red Wings and Utica Devils faced off on Feb. 5, 1993, a 2-1 victory for Adirondack.  The last time Utica was victorious against Adirondack was six days before, on Leap Day, a 7-5 victory for the Devils.

Scouting The Phantoms: Winger Jason Akeson leads the Phantoms in all offensive categories with 18 goals, 30 assists and 48 points, in addition to six power-play goals. Center Kris Newbury is second in both assists (20) and points (33), while winger Tye McGinn is second amongst all Phantoms with 14 goals.

Defenseman Bruno Gervais leads all Adirondack blueliners with 21 points (7-14-21), while teammate Brandon Manning leads the way with 15 assists.  Manning also leads the Phantoms in both penalty minutes, with 193 and shots on goal, with 153.

Goaltender Cal Heeter has been one of the AHL's finest this season and has carried the load in Glens Falls, with 35 starts.  Heeter has 15 victories, a .916 save percentage and a 2.48 goals against average, and is currently tied for second in the league with four shutouts. Heeter will miss the game in Utica, however, due to a suspension.  Netminder Yann Denis has appeared in 22 contests this season, with a .903 save percentage and a 2.69 goals against average, while rookie Carsen Chubak has recorded a .943 save percentage and a 1.84 goals against average over four appearances.

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