Gameday: Comets at Iowa
February 5, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
UTICA COMETS (16-22-2-4) @ IOWA WILD (19-16-5-3)
Iowa Events Center, 8 p.m.
Radio: 94.9 K-Rock
Tonight's Game: The Comets continue their road swing of the Midwest tonight as they pay their first visit of the season to Des Moines, Iowa to take on the Wild. The Comets look to break out of the small funk they're currently in, as they enter tonight's action riding a two game losing streak.
When They Last Met: Tonight is the first meeting between the Comets and Wild.
Comets Outlook: The Utica Comets were unable to complete a season sweep of the Chicago Wolves as they dropped a 4-2 decision at Allstate Arena last afternoon. Chris Porter scored twice for the Wolves, while winger Ty Rattie led the way with three points (1-2-3). Nicklas Jensen and Benn Ferriero scored for the Comets and Joacim Eriksson picked up the loss with 31 saves on 35 shots. Jake Allen made 31 saves of his own for his 19th victory of the season.
Wild Outlook: The Wild were also last in action against Chicago, as they dropped a 3-2 overtime decision on Saturday evening. Rattie once again carried the load offensively for Chicago with two goals, including the game winner with just 29 seconds left in overtime. Dmitrij Jaskin had two points (1-1-2) and Matt Climie picked up the win with 24 saves on 26 shots. Zach Phillips scored for Iowa with just 20 seconds left in regulation to earn the Wild a point. Warren Peters also scored for Iowa, while Jonas Gustafsson made 26 saves in defeat.
For The First Time: Tonight marks the inaugural meeting between the AHL's newest two franchises. Both the Comets and Wild began play during the 2013-14 season, but have yet to meet before tonight. Utica enters tonight's game eight points behind Iowa in the standings, with the Wild currently holding the ninth position in the Western Conference.
Benn But Don't Break: Forward Benn Ferriero extended his team leading goal total to 17 with a second period tally past Jake Allen yesterday. Ferriero is now tied for 16th in the entire AHL in goals, third amongst North Division skaters. The Essex, MA native is two goals away from his AHL career high of 19, from the 2009-10 season with the Worcester Sharks.
Nickstart My Heart: Winger Nicklas Jensen ended a five game pointless streak with a second period marker against Chicago. Jensen, who had previously scored five goals over a five game span before his drought, now has seven goals and 11 points on the season. The Denmark native's scoring total is tied for fifth on the Comets roster.
The Place Between The Lepines: Defenseman Guillaume Lepine immediately made his presence known to the Comets with an assist, a fight and a +1 rating during his first career AHL game. The hulking 6'4" blueliner had spent the past three seasons with Nottingham of the EIHL, where he finished each season in the Top 10 in the league in penalty minutes.
Scouting The Wild: Iowa is led in scoring by defenseman Brian Connolly, who has amassed 26 points (3-23-26) over 40 games played this season. Iowa's top three assist leaders play on the blueline, however, in the form of Connolly (23), Jonathan Blum (16) and Jon Landry (15). Landry leads all Wild players with a +11 overall rating.
Forwards Carson McMillan and Brett Bulmer are tops on the team with 10 goals apiece, while McMillan, center Zach Phillips and winger Raphael Bussieres are tied for the most amongst forwards with 12 assists apiece.
Goaltender Johan Gustafsson is currently carrying the load between the pipes with 20 games played, as Darcy Kuemper is currently on an extended stay in the NHL with Minnesota. Gustafsson has recorded an 8-6-3-2 record this season, with a 2.81 goals against average and a .910 save percentage. Backup John Curry has been stellar in a complimentary role, with a team best 1.81 goals against average and .944 save percentage.
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American Hockey League Stories from February 5, 2014
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