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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets at Binghamton

February 22, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


UTICA COMETS (21-23-3-4) @ BINGHAMTON SENATORS (33-15-1-3)

Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena, 7 pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets continue their tour of New York State with a trip to the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton to take on the Senators. Utica has won three in a row, five of seven and have collected 22 of a possible 30 points entering tonight's action.

When They Last Met: The Comets surrendered a late goal with just 28 seconds on the clock, as they dropped a 4-3 decision in heartbreaking fashion at The AUD on Dec. 27. Alexandre Grenier scored twice and added an assist, but Mike Hoffman's game winner on the power play evened the season series for Binghamton. Both Nathan Lawson and Joe Cannata finished the evening with 30 saves.

Comets Outlook: Utica moved one step closer to the Galaxy Cup and a playoff push, with a thrilling 2-1 overtime victory over the Syracuse Crunch. With the win, the Comets improved to 21-23-3-4, good for 49 points in the standings. Brandon DeFazio was the overtime hero, as he scored the game winning goal with just 58 seconds left in the game. Nicklas Jensen also scored for Utica, his seventh marker during the month of February, while Cal O'Reilly added two assists. Joacim Eriksson picked up the victory, with 25 saves on 26 shots.

Senators Outlook: The Senators scored four unanswered goals in the game's final 25 minutes to defeat the Hamilton Bulldogs last evening at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Forwards Andre Petersson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau led the way with a goal and an assist apiece, while Mike Hoffman and Buddy Robinson also scored for Binghamton. Andrew Hammond collected the victory with 31 saves on 32 shots.

Fazzy Cleopatra: Winger Brandon DeFazio netted his first career AHL overtime goal, with the deciding marker against Syracuse last evening. DeFazio has now collected goals in three of his past four contests. The bruising winger is two goals shy of his career high (11), set in 2011-12 with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and matched the following season in 2012-13 with Bridgeport.

Carry On My Wayward Eriksson: Goaltender Joacim Eriksson put in another workman's effort with 25 saves on 26 shots to defeat the Syracuse Crunch. Eriksson has now held his opposition to two goals or less in 12 of his past 17 starts. Amongst all netminders in the AHL with more than 30 games played, the Galve, Sweden native ranks eighth in goals against average (2.57) and ninth in save percentage (.913).

Number Two Jensil: With a score on Friday in Syracuse, winger Nicklas Jensen now has 13 goals this season, including 12 over his past 19 games played. Jensen's goal, which came on the man advantage, tied him with Benn Ferriero and Colin Stuart for the team high with five power-play goals. Jensen also leads all Comets with seven goals during the month of February.

Death Calley: After he missed the past seven contests with an injury, Cal O'Reilly made his return to the lineup felt in a big way with assists on both Utica goals. O'Reilly is now in possession of a four game scoring streak, which dates back to Jan. 28. The Toronto, ON native has also accumulated nine points (1-8-9) over his past nine games and is second on the Comets with .78 points per game.

Scouting The Senators: Winger Mike Hoffman leads all Binghamton Senators and ranks second in the entire AHL with 63 points (27-36-63). Hoffman is also tied for the league lead with 12 power-play goals and finished the AHL All-Star game as the second star with three points (1-2-3). Center Stephane Da Costa is also currently over a point-per-game clip, with 41 points (13-28-41) over 40 games played, while rookie winger Matt Puempel is fifth amongst all first year players with 18 goals.

Defenseman Chris Wideman tops the Binghamton defensive corps with 37 points (6-31-37) over 48 games played, which also ranks fourth in the league amongst blueliners. Wideman's 31 assists are also tied for third in the AHL for defensemen.

Goaltenders Nathan Lawson and Andrew Hammond have each recorded over 25 starts and have both accumulated 15 victories. Lawson also leads the Senators with a .917 save percentage and a 2.68 goals against average. Hammond leads the team with a shutout and is fourth amongst AHL rookies in victories.

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