Gameday: Comets at Albany
October 12, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
UTICA COMETS (0-1-0-0) @ ALBANY DEVILS (0-1-0-0)
Times Union Center, 5 P.M.
Radio: 94.9 K-Rock
The Utica Comets continue their travels on the New York State Thruway as they take on the Albany Devils at the Times Union Center in Albany. This will be the first meeting between AHL teams from Utica and the Albany Area since February 13th, 1993, when the Utica Devils defeated the Capital District Islanders 7-6.
When They Last Met: This will be the Comets first ever meeting against the Devils in their inaugural season.
Comets Outlook: Utica played in its inaugural regular season game on the road last night against the Rochester Americans. The Comets fell 4-1. Pascal Pelletier scored the first goal in franchise history, but the Comets couldn't overcome a four-goal deficit.
Devils Outlook: Albany enters their home opener with a record of 0-1-0-0, following a 4-3 loss against the Hartford Wolfpack on Oct. 6. Despite a three-point night from defenseman Jon Merrill (0-3-3), the Devils were unable to overcome Hartford's go ahead goal early in the third period. Forward Joe Whitney also recorded a multi-point game (1-1-2).
Making History: The Utica Comets played in their first ever American Hockey League Contest a night ago in their loss to Rochester. The game was the first in the regular season for a Utica AHL franchise since Apr. 10, 1993, when the Utica Devils fell 6-3 to the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Pioneer Pascal: At the 13:28 mark of the third period, Pascal Pelletier fired a wrist shot from the slot past Americans goaltender Matt Hackett, which went down as the first goal in Utica Comets franchise history.
Assisting the Cause: Alex Biega and Peter Andersson assisted on Pelletier's historical goal, which gave them the first assists in Comets history.
Positive Outlook: Alexandre Grenier was the only Comet player to finish with a positive rating, ending his night at a +1. The winger was on the ice for Utica's historic first goal in franchise history.
AHL Debuts: Utica Comets defenseman Henrik Tommernes made his AHL debut last night in Rochester. Tommernes tied for second on the team with four shots on goal. Head Coach Travis Green also made his AHL debut behind the bench.
Green and Jerrard Return: Head coach Travis Green and assistant coach Paul Jerrard return to Albany, where each played in the minor leagues during their careers. Green played three seasons with the AHL's Capital District Islanders from 1990-93, recording 128 points (56-72-128). Green's 56 goals rank third all time in team history, while his 128 points rank fifth. Jerrard is also familiar with the Albany area, as he skated in seven games with the IHL's Albany Choppers in the 1990-91 season. Jerrard netted three points (0-3-3) over the seven games.
Friend or Foe?: Albany Devils assistant head coach Tommy Albelin spent a portion of his playing career in Utica, skating in 25 games with the Utica Devils from 1990-92. Albelin recorded 16 points (8-8-16) over his short spell on the Utica blueline.
Twelve Days until AHL Hockey returns to The AUD. The Comets home opener against the Albany Devils on Oct. 23 is completely sold out for the AHL's return to Utica.
Scouting the Devils: Albany arrives for it's home opener, following a 4-3 loss on the road against the Hartford Wolf Pack. The Devils finished twelfth in a competitive Eastern Conference a season ago and missed out on a playoff berth by just six points.
The Devils return four of their eight leading scorers from a season ago, including top scorer Joe Whitney, who finished with 51 points (26-25-51). Also returning are Harri Pesonon (14-17-31), Mike Sislo (13-13-26) and Rome, N.Y. Tim Sestito (7-16-23). Back in Albany as well is leading defensive scorer Eric Gelinas, who finished with 22 points (7-15-22) over 57 games.
Coming off a team high 45 starts a season ago, Keith Kinkaid is back between the pipes in Albany. Kinkaid led the team with 21 wins a season ago and finished with a .905 save percentage and a 2.72 goals against average. With last season's save percentage leader Jeff Frazee gone to Italy, Scott Wedgewood takes over the number two spot on the depth chart.
American Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2013
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- Pirates Drop 5-2 Decision to Bruins - Portland Pirates
- Monsters Turn the Table on IceHogs, Defeat Rockford 5-1 - Cleveland Monsters
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