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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets vs. Milwaukee

March 23, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS (30-21-6-6) @ UTICA COMETS (28-28-3-4)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 5 pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets face their conference rivals, the Milwaukee Admirals, in a critical matchup for Utica's playoff chances. The Comets enter tonight's contest just eight points out of a playoff spot, with Milwaukee one of three teams in their crosshairs.

When They Last Met: The Comets pulled out a 3-0 shutout in Milwaukee on Feb. 7, led by 21 saves from Joacim Eriksson and two goals from Darren Archibald. Defenseman Kent Huskins also scored for the Comets. For Eriksson, the shutout was his fourth of the season, which, at the time, moved him to second in the AHL in that category. Marek Mazanec made 28 saves on 31 shots in defeat.

Comets Outlook: In another gritty performance, the Utica Comets defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 2-1 at Mohegan Sun Arena. Pascal Pelletier and Colin Stuart scored for the Comets, who moved back to the .500 mark with the win. Alex Friesen, Alex Grenier, Cal O'Reilly and Brandon DeFazio each picked up assists for Utica. Joe Cannata collected the victory with 22 saves on 23 shots, while Peter Mannino took the defeat despite a 27 save effort.

Admirals Outlook: The Admirals were victorious over the Toronto Marlies, 5-1 last evening at Ricoh Coliseum. Milwaukee got multi-point games from Filip Forsberg (1-1-2), Mark Van Guilder (1-1-2), Miikka Salomaki (1-1-2) and Patrick Cehlin (0-2-2). Austin Watson and Scott Ford also scored, while goaltender Scott Darling got the victory, with 30 saves on 31 shots. Christopher Gibson took the defeat after he was pulled through just nine saves on 12 shots. Trevor Smith scored the lone Toronto goal.

Here Come The Comets: Since Jan. 18, the Comets have been the AHL's second highest producing team with 36 points, courtesy of a 17-7-2 record. Utica, which trails just St. John's in both wins and points during that span, has moved into sole possession of 11th place in the Western Conference, eight points shy of the final playoff position with two games in hand.

Stuart Not So Little: Winger Colin Stuart is currently riding a three game goal scoring streak, extended with his game winner last evening in Wilkes-Barre. The Rochester, MN native is now tied for the team lead with four game winning goals this season, and has taken over sole possession of second on the Comets, with 17 total goals scored.

The Cannataj Mahal: Goaltender Joe Cannata has quietly put together a solid string of games, with a 5-1-0 record over his past seven starts. Dating back to a 3-1 victory on Jan. 18 against the Hamilton Bulldogs, Cannata has turned aside 181 of the 191 shots he has faced, good for a .948 save percentage. The Merrimack graduate has also won each of his past four starts outside of the state of New York.

What Does DeFaz Say?: Comets winger Brandon DeFazio is on a roll with points in five of his past six games. With an assist last evening in Wilkes-Barre, the Oakville, ON native picked up his 26th point of the season, which broke his AHL career high of 25, set last season with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Freis Fallin: Center Alex Friesen added another point to an already impressive month of March. The Niagara Ice Dogs product had a helper on Stuart's game winning goal last evening, to give him six points (2-4-6) over eight games this month.

Starting To Take Advantage: The Comets finally found the back of the net on the power play, which snapped an 0-for-12 slump. Utica, who was also mired in a 5-for-46 stretch (10.9 percent), has fallen to 23rd in the AHL, with just a 15.9 percent conversion rate on the season.

Scouting The Admirals: Miikka Salomaki leads all Milwaukee scorers with 41 (16-25-41) points this season through 60 games played. Colton Sissons, now of Nashville, leads the Admirals with 25 goals, while Calle Jarnkrok has 18 goals and 43 points from his time combined between Grand Rapids and Milwaukee. Jarnkrok has seven points (5-2-7) over five games with the Admirals. Winger Taylor Beck leads all Milwaukee skaters with 26 assists.

Defenseman Anthony Bitetto is the blueline leader with 31 points (8-23-31) over 58 games played, while teammate Bryan Rodney has a team high nine goals scored.

Milwaukee currently is carrying three goaltenders, with Marek Mazanec, Scott Darling and Magnus Hellberg all with 19 or more games played. Darling leads the team in both save percentage (.931), goals against average (2.09) and shutouts (4). Mazanec is tops amongst all goaltenders with 12 victories.

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