Gameday: Comets at Milwaukee
February 7, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
UTICA COMETS (17-22-2-4) @ MILWAUKEE ADMIRALS (22-13-6-4)
BMO Harris Bradley Center, 8 p.m.
Radio: 94.9 K-Rock
Tonight's Game: The Comets travel to Wisconsin for the first and only time this season, as they visit the BMO Harris Bradley Center to take on the Milwaukee Admirals. Utica is currently in the third game of five away from The AUD.
When They Last Met: Tonight is the first meeting between the Comets and Admirals.
Comets Outlook: The Utica Comets defeated the Iowa Wild 3-2 in a shootout at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Alex Biega won the game in the ninth round with his first shootout goal this season. Goaltender Joe Cannata put together a career high 43 saves as he earned his fifth victory as a Comet. Nicklas Jensen and Colin Stuart each found the back of the net for Utica, which moved to 17-22-2-4 on the season. Jeremy Welsh and Patrick Mullen also scored in the shootout for the Comets.
Admirals Outlook: The Admirals were victorious in their last time out as well, with a 4-2 victory over the Hamilton Bulldogs. Marek Mazanec turned aside 28 of the 30 shots he faced to earn his ninth victory in 14 appearances this season. Mark Van Guilder, Austin Watson, Colton Sissons and Charles-Oliver Roussel each found the back of the net for Milwaukee, while Greg Pateryn and Gabriel Dumont scored for Hamilton. Bulldog netminder Robert Mayer took the loss with 24 saves.
Catch Me If You Cannata: Utica Comets goaltender Joe Cannata put in a stellar effort between the pipes, with a career high 43 saves in the 3-2 win over Iowa. Appearing in his first game since Jan. 18, Cannata picked up his second straight victory and the first shootout win of his AHL career. The Wakefield, MA native turned aside seven of the nine shots he faced during the shootout.
To Biega Or Not To Biega: With the shootout game winner against Iowa, defenseman Alex Biega potted the third GWG of his AHL career, with the prior two coming as a member of the Rochester Americans. Biega has amassed a +6 rating over his last nine games, dating back to Jan. 18 and currently sits tied for second on the roster with Cal O'Reilly at +5 for the season.
Just Easin' The Jensen Baby: Winger Nicklas Jensen has now found the back of the net in two straight games following his power-play tally against Iowa on Wednesday. The winger from Denmark has now scored in six of Utica's past eight road games and seven of Jensen's eight goals this season have come over his past 13 games played.
Special K: The Comets win over Iowa was powered by a strong effort on special teams, with both a power play and shorthanded goal to Utica's name. Nicklas Jensen's goal in the first period came on one of just two power-play chances for the Comets, while Colin Stuart's tally less than five minutes later came on the penalty kill. The Comets were also seven for eight on the PK for the evening.
Blu Ray Player: Forward Ray Kaunisto made his debut with the Comets on Wednesday in Iowa, where he went scoreless with two shots on goal. The Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan native has now appeared in 10 AHL games this season, split between Utica, Syracuse and Lake Erie. Kaunisto has amassed 38 AHL points (16-22-38) over 142 career games.
Scouting The Admirals: Winger Mikka Salomaki (11-19-30) leads all Milwaukee skaters in both assists and points, which ranks him seventh amongst all AHL rookies. Center Colton Sissons leads all Admirals with 16 goals, which ranks tied for fifth amongst all league rookies and is tied for 19th in the entire AHL.
Defenseman Anthony Bitetto leads all Milwaukee blueliners with 25 points (9-16-25) over 43 games played, while Joe Piskula and Joonas Jarvinen are tied for the team lead in plus/minus at +7.
Rookie netminder Marek Mazanec has shined between the pipes for both the Admirals and Predators this season. The Czech Republic native has appeared in 13 games with Milwaukee and currently holds a .924 save percentage and a 2.25 goals against average.
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