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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets at Adirondack

April 13, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


UTICA COMETS (33-30-5-4) @ LAKE ERIE MONSTERS (29-32-1-9)

Glens Falls Civic Center, 5pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Comets are in need of their third straight victory to remain in the thick of the playoff hunt, as they travel to Glens Falls to take on the Adirondack Phantoms for their final road contest of the season. Courtesy of two wins in Lake Erie, Utica has moved to within two points of eighth place in the Western Conference.

When They Last Met: The Utica Comets came up just short in the third period, as they dropped a tough 4-3 decision to the Adirondack Phantoms on Friday Feb. 28.Brandon DeFazio, Kent Huskins and Colin Stuart each scored for Utica, while Joacim Eriksson was denied his fifth victory of the month, as the Galve, Sweden native turned aside 21 of 25 shots in defeat.

Comets Outlook: In what goes down as another comeback for the ages, the Utica Comets earned an essential two points on Friday evening in Lake Erie, with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Monsters. Jeremy Welsh and Cal O'Reilly each scored for the Comets, who improved to 33-30-5-4. Alex Friesen, who had an assist during regulation, potted the game-winning goal during the first round of the shootout, while Brandon DeFazio also scored in the shootout session for Utica. Joe Cannata collected his tenth victory of the season with 28 saves on 30 shots, in addition to a perfect four of four during the shootout.

Phantoms Outlook: Although they had a contest scheduled last evening in Bridgeport, the Phantoms saw their game postponed due to ice conditions. On Friday evening, Adirondack dropped a 4-1 decision to the Worcester Sharks, with Brandon Alderson potting the only Phantoms goal. Center Freddie Hamilton and blueliner Adam Comrie recorded a goal and an assist apiece for the Sharks. Cal Heeter made 28 saves on 31 shots but took the defeat, while Harri Sateri was victorious with a 33 save effort.

Flair For The DramatiCal: Center Cal O'Reilly scored the goal that saved Utica's season on Friday night, as he tied the game in Lake Erie with his sixth of the season with just 1:58 to play. O'Reilly's goal extended his point streak to six games overall and nine games on the road. The Comets are 21-9-4 this season when O'Reilly records at least one point and 6-1-1 when he has a multi-point night.

Hakuna Cannata: Netminder Joe Cannata made 28 saves on Friday and has now lost just two times over his past eleven appearances. The Wakefield, MA native has allowed more than two goals just once over that time span. Cannata has amassed a .937 save percentage over his run and has seen his number for the season rise to .905. The Merrimack College graduate's goals against average has also dropped to 2.87.

Ring Jere-er: Center Jeremy Welsh remained hot against the Monsters, as his third period goal was his fifth over his past seven games. Welsh, who had just two goals this season prior to his run, also has points in seven of his past eight contests. When Welsh has found the score sheet this season, the Comets have compiled a 9-2-3 record.

Scouting The Phantoms: Last weekend, winger Jason Akeson broke the formerly standing Adirondack franchise record with his 63rd point of the season. Akeson, who now sits at 64 points after a hat trick on Sunday, broke Jon Matsumoto's 62-point mark, set in 2009-10. Akeson is the team leader in both goals and assists this season but was recalled to Philadelphia on Saturday. With Kris Newbury in Hershey and Tye McGinn also recalled to Philadelphia, captain Ben Holmstrom leads the active roster in scoring, with 30 points (12-18-30) over 70 games played.

Defenseman Brandon Manning has been the leader from the defensive corps all season and he now sits at 29 points (7-22-29) over 69 games played. Manning also leads with Phantoms with 225 penalty minutes and is fourth amongst all AHL defensemen with 190 shots on goal.

Goaltenders Yann Danis and Carsen Chubak are currently sharing the Adirondack net, with Cal Heeter recently recalled to Philadelphia with Akeson. Heeter is the team leader with both 43 appearances and 16 victories, but is narrowly edged by Chubak in save percentage and goals against average. The Reading call-up has amassed a .925 save percentage and a 2.63 goals against average over his eight appearances with the Phantoms. Chubak set a Phantoms franchise record with 50 saves on Sunday against Albany.

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