AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets vs. Abbotsford

Published on November 1, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


ABBOTSFORD HEAT (5-4-0-1) @ UTICA COMETS (0-5-1-1)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 7:00 p.m.

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

The Utica Comets remain winless on this young season after they dropped a heartbreaker to the Heat on Wednesday. Utica doesn't have to wait long for revenge however, as the Comets host the same team tonight at The AUD, at 7p.m. The Comets head into the game looking to break into the win column for the first time.

When They Last Met: Just two days ago, the Heat and Comets battled to a thriller in Utica, with Abbotsford coming out on top 5-4, in overtime. Corbin Knight scored the game winner with just 1:30 left on the clock after a Patrick Mullen blast through traffic, with just over two minutes to play in regulation, earned Utica a point.

Comets Outlook: It was a tale of two Comets teams on Wednesday in regulation, as they began and finished the game with gusto, but lacked fire in between. Despite allowing an early Heat goal, the Comets scored three first period goals as they carried the play for much of the opening stanza. Frank Corrado, Benn Ferriero and Brandon DeFazio each had a goal in the first period. However, the Comets failed to protect their lead in the third and the Comets found themselves down 4-3 late in the game before Mullen extended the game and gave Utica a 4-4 tie after the scheduled 60 minutes. Goaltender Joacim Eriksson made 35 saves on 40 shots, but the Comets were unable to hold on in overtime as they lost 5-4.

Heat Outlook: The Heat moved into the top five in the Western Conference with their win over Utica on Wednesday, as they hit double digits in points with 11. Corbin Knight (1-1-2) and Paul Byron (0-2-2) each had two points, which kept them tied with nine points apiece on the season. Chad Billings and Ben Hankowski each added two points as well and Joni Ortio was stellar between the pipes as he made 17 saves on 18 shots in relief of starter Reto Berra. Ortio earned the victory in just his first appearance on the season.

Pelletier Leading the Way: Pascal Pelletier has played in six of Utica's seven games this season and has recorded a point in each. He leads the Comets in assists (7) and points (9) and is tied for the team lead in goals (2). His five-game assist streak is tied for the second longest streak in the AHL this season.

First Period Breakout: The Comets erupted for three goals in the first period on Wednesday to jump out to an early lead. Utica had only scored two goals combined in their previous six first periods. The Comets have scored the first goal of the game just once before, coming against the Syracuse Crunch last Friday.

Defense Adding Some Offense: Utica defensemen have been carrying their weight on offense this season. They have accounted for five of the team's 15 goals so far with four different defensemen having scored. Frank Corrado's two goals ties him for the team lead while Yann Sauve, who has not scored, is second on the team with four assists.

Cardiac Comets: Utica may be in search of their first win but that doesn't mean the games haven't been competitive. The Comets have lost by a single goal in four of their seven defeats. They have dropped a shootout decision and an overtime defeat. Hamilton, who beat the Comets 3-2 on Saturday, is tied for the league-lead with eight one-goal games.

Never A Mull Moment: Patrick Mullen's first goal as a Comet was a huge one as it tied the score with just over two minutes left against the Heat, which earned Utica a standings point in the process. Mullen's goal was his first since Apr. 27, 2012 when he found the back of the net with Manchester in a Calder Cup Playoff game against Norfolk.

Benn There, Done That: With his breakaway goal against the Heat, Benn Ferriero has recorded three points in his last two games. The winger followed up a two assist effort against Hamilton with the game's second goal against Abbotsford. Ferriero is now tied for third on the team with four points (2-2-4).

Great Dane: Denmark native Nicklas Jensen made his Comets debut on the day he was assigned to Utica, and he responded in a big way with an assist just 3:45 into his first period. Jensen was selected in the first round of the 2011 NHL Entry Draft by Vancouver.

Life In The Fast Lain: With his 17 accumulated penalty minutes against the Heat, Comets rookie Kellan Lain has moved up to sixth in the AHL with 37 penalty minutes on the season. The Lake Superior State product is also the league leader amongst first year players.

Scouting The Heat: Knight (4-5-9) and Byron (1-8-9) are the team's co-leaders in scoring with nine points apiece after they each recorded two on Wednesday against Utica. Knight's +6 rating is also tops on the Heat roster. Just one point behind is Hankowski, who netted two assists against the Comets and now has eight points (4-4-8) on the season.

With his marker against the Comets, defenseman Billings currently leads his team in goals with five and points for a defenseman with six (5-1-6). Billings' five goals are tied for second amongst defenseman in the AHL and his six points place him in a tie for 13th.

Berra has carried the majority of the load for the Heat this season in net. The Switzerland native has appeared in nine of Abbotsford's 10 games and enters tonight with a 4-3-1 record, a 2.66 GAA and a .908 save percentage. He was replaced by Ortio on Wednesday, however, who put up a 2.55 GAA, a .944 save percentage as he earned his first victory of the season.

Check out the Utica Comets Statistics

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