AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets at Lake Erie

Published on November 7, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


The Comets are back in action as they take to the road for a three game trip, which begins tonight in Lake Erie. The Comets are in Cleveland for the first time this season for the first of two back-to-back games against the Lake Erie Monsters. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

When They Last Met: Tonight is the first ever meeting between these two teams.

Comets Outlook: The Comets finished the first homestand in franchise history at 0-4-1-1 as they dropped their final home game by a 5-2 score, to Toronto. It was another disappointing loss for the Comets, despite a hot start out of the gates. Alex Grenier scored just over a minute into regulation to put the Comets ahead, but Toronto scored five of the last six goals to pull out the three goal victory. Benn Ferriero also found the back of the net, while goaltender Joacim Eriksson made 24 saves on 29 shots. Marlies defenseman TJ Brennan scored two goals and added an assist to lead Toronto.

Monsters Outlook: The Monsters are coming off of a 6-4 loss against the defending Calder Cup Champion Grand Rapids Griffins. Karl Stollery, David van der Guilk, Mark Olver and Bryan Lerg each scored for the Monsters but Lake Erie could not overcome a three point night from Gustav Nyquist and two goals from Tomas Jurco as they dropped beneath the .500 mark. Monsters goaltender Calvin Pickard made 25 saves on 29 shots in the defeat.

Hey Hey Grenier: Winger Alexandre Grenier scored his second goal of the season against the Marlies and added a +1 rating to improve his plus/minus on the season to a team high +4. Grenier is also tied for second on the team with seven points.

Power Of Three: With his powerplay goal against Toronto, Comets forward Benn Ferriero extended his goal-scoring streak to three games, which ranks in a tie for second in the AHL amongst current streaks. The Essex, MA native has six points over the past four games and now leads the Comets with four goals. Ferriero has also vaulted into a tie with Grenier for second on the team in points with seven (4-3-7).

Photo Booth: Comets winger David Booth looks to make his Utica debut after he was assigned on a conditioning a stint from Vancouver. Booth is a three time 20-goal scorer at the NHL level who scored a career high 60 points (31-29-60) in the 2008-09 season with the Florida Panthers. The Detroit, MI native has amassed 202 points (105-97-202) over 388 games in the NHL.

Powerful Power Play: The Comets' powerplay ranks tied for eleventh in the AHL as they enter tonight's action at 19.4 percent. Despite being tied for the least amount of opportunities with the man advantage, the Comets have buried seven powerplay goals on 36 chances. Colin Stuart and Frank Corrado pace the Comets with two PPG's apiece.

Capital Connection: Utica head coach Travis Green and Lake Erie head coach Dean Chynoweth were teammates for parts of three seasons from 1990-1993 with the AHL's Capital District Islanders. Both men rank in the team's all-time Top 10 in games played with Green fourth and Chynoweth ninth.

First Timers: Comets forward Kellan Lain and defenseman Henrik Tommernes each recorded their first career assists against Toronto. For Lain, it was the first point of his career.

Scouting The Monsters: Winger Bryan Lerg is the Monsters' leading scorer with nine points (6-3-9) over nine games. Lerg's six goals also ranks tied for twelfth in the AHL, as well as first on the team. Center Mark Olver has netted eight points (3-5-8), while winger Andrew Agozzino leads the Monsters roster with six assists over nine games.

Defenseman Stefan Elliott leads all Lake Erie blueliners with five points (1-4-5). Karl Stollery leads all Monsters players with a +5 rating and has also contributed four points (2-2-4) over his nine games played.

The Monsters have employed a time share between young goaltenders Calvin Pickard and Sami Aittokallio, who each enter tonight's action with two victories. Aittokallio begins today with a 2.49 goals against average and a .908 save percentage, both of which lead the team. Pickard has amassed a 3.30 GAA and a .892 save percentage over his five games played.

Check out the Utica Comets Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2013


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