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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets vs. Iowa

March 30, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


IOWA WILD (26-30-6-4) @ UTICA COMETS (29-29-4-4)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 3pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets look to rebound after a tough two game set with Abbotsford, as they host the fellow first year Iowa Wild.  Tonight's contest is a crucial one for the Comets, as they sit seven points out of the Western Conference's final playoff position.

When They Last Met: The Comets rode a career high 43 saves from Joe Cannata to defeat the Iowa Wild 3-2 in a shootout back on February 5 at Wells Fargo Arena in Iowa.  Nicklas Jensen and Colin Stuart scored for Utica and Alex Biega found the game winner in the ninth round of the shootout.  Jeremy Welsh and Patrick Mullen also scored shootout goals for Utica.

Comets Outlook: The Utica Comets were handed one of the worst defeats in franchise history, as they dropped a 7-2 decision to the Abbotsford Heat.  Jeremy Welsh and Alex Biega scored for Utica, which fell to 29-29-4-4 with the defeat.  The Comets received 18 saves form Joacim Eriksson, who took the loss, and 12 saves from Joe Cannata in relief.  Ben Street led all scorers with three points (1-2-3) for Abbotsford, while Brett Olson had two goals.  Netminder Joni Ortio made 32 saves on 34 shots to earn the victory.

Wild Outlook: The Wild picked up a 2-1 shootout victory over the Toronto Marlies last evening at Ricoh Coliseum.  Jamie MacQueen scored in his first game with the Wild while Johan Gustafsson recorded 38 saves on 39 shots to earn the victory.  Carson McMillan and Zack Phillips scored during the 2-0 shootout victory.  Peter Holland was the lone goalscorer for Toronto, while Garret Sparks made 25 saves on 26 shots for the victory.

To Biega Or Not To Biega: Defenseman Alex Biega recorded his third goal of the season, with a marker during the third period.  Biega is now tied with Colin Stuart for the team lead with two shorthanded goals.  The Harvard University graduate now has 19 points (3-16-19) in 64 games to lead all Utica defenseman this season.

Friesen Willy: Center Alex Friesen was the only Comet with a multi-point evening on Saturday, with assists on both Utica goals.  Friesen now has nine points (3-6-9) over eleven games this month, which places him second on the team behind only Cal O'Reilly.

I Don't Jer. I Love It: Center Jeremy Welsh scored for the first time on home ice last evening, with a second period tally against Abbotsford.  Welsh, who now has nine points (3-6-9) since he was returned on loan from Vancouver, was also tied with Biega for the team lead with five shots on goal.

Go Shortie: With Alex Friesen's goal on Friday and now Alex Biega's last evening, the Comets have recorded five shorthanded goals since Feb. 5. Biega and Colin Stuart lead all Utica skaters with two SHG's apiece, with the Comets having scored seven overall as a team.

Bad Boys, Bad Boys: The Comets set a franchise record for penalty minutes last night against Abbotsford, breaking their previous mark of 37 set in Albany on Oct. 12.  Darren Archibald (17) and Brandon DeFazio (12) led the way with dueling misconducts during the second period.  Utica also received a fighting major from Yann Sauve.

Scouting The Wild: Zach Phillips is Iowa's leading scorer amongst players that have been with the Wild all season, with 30 points (11-19-30) over 66 games played.  Recently acquired Brad Winchester has 33 points (18-15-33) over his season split between Rockford and Iowa, with three points (2-1-3) coming in his 13 games with the Wild.  Center Carson McMilan leads all active Wild skaters with 12 goals this season, coming as a part of 24 points over 58 games played.

Defenseman Jonathan Blum is currently the leading scorer on the Iowa blueline, with 29 points (7-22-29) over 54 games played.  Blum also leads the Wild with six power-play goals but is currently with Minnesota in the NHL.  Brian Connolly (5-27-32) had been Iowa's top offensive threat from the blueline all season, but was recently moved in the swap for Winchester.  Steven Kampfer is the leader amongst active defensemen with 22 points (6-16-22).

Iowa is currently riding John Curry and Jonas Gustafsson as their goaltending tandem.  Gustafsson has the edge in games played, with 31 and victories, with 11, while Curry has been stellar since a recall from the ECHL, with a .927 save percentage and a 2.35 goals against average.  Both netminders have also recorded a shutout this season.

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