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AHL Utica Comets

Utica Comets Weekly Notebook

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


Last Week In Review: The Utica Comets left Toronto with three out of a possible four points from their doubleheader at the Ricoh Coliseum this past weekend. The Comets kicked off their 2014-15 campaign with a gritty 2-1 win on Saturday. On Sunday the Comets got their first taste of the new overtime rules with a 3-2 loss coming in the 3-on-3 portion of overtime. There's 74 games left to be played, but after the first weekend of play the Comets sit alone atop the Western Conference's North Division standings.

In non-gameplay news the Comets and the Utica Memorial Auditorium were selected by the American Hockey League to host the 2015 All-Star Classic in January. The Turning Stone Resort Casino is the presenting sponsor, and will be home to the all of the weekend's festivities besides the Skills Competition and the All-Star Game.

Saturday, October 12: Utica Comets @ Toronto Marlies - W 2-1

The Comets chased off any thoughts of a repeat of last year's disastrous 0-8-1-1 start with a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Marlies, at the Ricoh Coliseum.

The power play unit paved the way for the Comets, going 2-for-7 on the evening. Both Comets power-play goals proved critical, and both came with a 5-on-3 advantage.

Alexandre Grenier (1-1-2), and Cal O'Reilly (0-2-2), paced the Comets with two points apiece, while Jacob Markstrom made 24 saves en route to his first win as a Comet. Dustin Jeffrey chipped in the game-winning goal in his Comets debut.

Sunday, October 12: Utica Comets @ Toronto Marlies - OTL 3-2

Sunday's contest in Toronto started off a lot like the Comets-Marlies tilt on Saturday, with Toronto scoring first and the away team storming back for a 2-1 third period lead. However, the rest of the script was drastically different as Victor Loov scored twice, once in the third period and once in overtime, to give the Marlies their first victory of the young season.

Joacim Eriksson made his 2014-15 Comets debut by turning away 25 of the Marlies' 28 shots. Dustin Jeffrey (1-0-1) scored for the second time in as many games, and Brandon DeFazio (1-0-1) netted his first goal of the season as well. Alex Grenier picked up an assist for his third point in two games, while Hunter Shinkaruk picked up his first career professional point with an assist on Jeffrey's goal.

A Look Ahead:

The Utica Comets head to the Lone Star State for a pair of games before returning the comfy confines of The AUD. Friday's match-up is a return affair for Comets goaltender Jacob Markstrom. The 6'6" goaltender returns to his former stomping grounds as the Comets take on the San Antonio Rampage. Saturday the task gets tougher as the Comets take on the defending American Hockey League Champions, the Texas Stars.

Friday October 17: San Antonio Rampage (2-0-0-0) vs. Utica Comets (1-0-1-0)

Where: AT&T Center

When: 8:30pm EST

NHL Affiliate: Florida Panthers

Season Series: 0-0-0-0

Comets vs. Rampage: This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

About the Rampage: The Rampage started their season off on the right foot with a pair of 3-2 victories at home. The first victory was at the hands of the Iowa Wild, and the second over the Oklahoma City Barons in overtime. Bobby Butler, and Mark Mancari paced the way for the Rampage, each recorded a goal and two assists over the span of the weekend. The Rampage also spaced out their scoring over both games, with six different players scoring a goal. The Rampage mimicked the Comets' opening weekend approach with Michael Houser and Dan Ellis splitting goaltending duties. Besides the OT period played by Houser, both goalies ended the weekend with the exact same stat line: One win, two goals allowed, and 23 saves on 25 shots faced.

Saturday October 18: Texas Stars (1-0-0-0) vs. Utica Comets (1-0-1-0)

Where: Cedar Park Center

When: 8:00pm EST

NHL Affiliate: Texas Stars

Season Series: 0-0-0-0

Comets vs. Stars: This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

About the Stars: The Texas Stars celebrated their banner raising night with a 4-2 victory over the Iowa Wild this past Saturday. Reigning Les Cunningham Award (MVP) winner Travis Morin (0-2-2), Justin Dowling (1-1-2), and Maxime Fortunus (0-2-2) each netted two points apiece as the high powered Stars' offense picked up right where they left off last year. Jussi Rynnas made 20 saves in his first game back in the AHL since the 2012-13 season. Rynnas, 27, spent the 2013-14 season playing for Kärpät in the SM-liiga, which is also known as the Finnish Elite League. He posted a stellar 28-5-7 record last year and led the league in both goals-against average (1.51) and save percentage (0.939). His playoffs were marred due to injury, playing in just three games, but his team flourished and won the SM-liiga Championship.

Shooting Star Of The Week: Alexandre Grenier

Alex Grenier (1-2-3) led all Comets in points this week with a goal in the opener on Friday, and an assist in both games played over the weekend. Despite recording two of his three points on the power play, Grenier finished the weekend at +1.

Comets Leaders

Goals: Dustin Jeffrey (2)

Assists: Cal O'Reilly & Alex Grenier (2)

Points: Alex Grenier (3)

Power Play Goals: Alex Grenier & Dustin Jeffrey (1)

Penalty Minutes: Darren Archibald (20)

Shorthanded Goals: N/A

Shots On Goal: Dustin Jeffrey, Brandon DeFazio, Henrik Tommernes (6)

Plus/Minus: Alex Grenier, Bobby Sanguinetti, Mike Zalewski, Peter Andersson, Brendan Gaunce (+1)

GAA: Jacob Markstrom (1.00)

Save Percentage: Jacob Markstrom (.960)

Wins: Jacob Markstrom (1)

We're Going Streaking

Dustin Jeffrey has scored in both Comets games thus far this season. Grenier has recorded a point, and an assist in each game as well.

Rapid Fire

Aces Wild: The Comets opening night roster included four first round draft picks (Nicklas Jensen, Hunter Shinkaruk, Brendan Gaunce and Bobby Sanguinetti) who combined for two assists through the first two games. Gaunce also applied heavy pressure on the Marlies' goaltender that led to DeFazio's goal in Sunday's game.

How Swede It Is: Jacob Markstrom and Joacim Eriksson, both from Gavle, Sweden, split goaltending duties over the weekend. The double Swede tandem combined for a 1-0-1-0 record, a .925 save percentage, and a 1.91 GAA.

Captain Assists: Comets center Cal O'Reilly wore the captain's "C" in both games over the weekend. In the first game, O'Reilly set-up both Comets goals en route to the victory.

License to Kill: The Comets Penalty Kill unit got off to a fantastic start by killing all seven Marlies power plays over the weekend.

Déjà vu All Over Again: The Comets finished the 2013-14 regular season tied for the AHL lead with the Norfolk Admirals and the Providence Bruins with 46 one-goal games played during the season. This year the Comets are back to the familiar feeling, with both games ending by the slimmest of margins.

Milestones Reached: Hunter Shinkaruk recorded his first professional hockey point, with an assist in Sunday's loss. Michael Zalewski played in his first career AHL game on Sunday. Ronalds Kenins made his North American hockey debut, playing in both games over the weekend. Saturday afternoon's contest was Cal O'Reilly's 500th professional hockey game.

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Get Your Tickets: Select tickets for the Comets Home Opener on Oct. 22 remain available. Also, cheer on the Utica Comets with your group, business or school! Special pricing and opportunities are available through our Group Sales Office. Give us a call at (315) 790-9070 or visit our web page at www.uticacomets.com for more information.

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