AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Comets vs Albany

Published on October 23, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


ALBANY DEVILS (3-1-0-1) @ UTICA COMETS (0-3-0-0)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 7:35 p.m.

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

The Utica Comets make their home debut tonight against the Albany Devils in search of the first victory in franchise history. The Comets return to Utica following a three game stretch on the road that resulted in a trio of defeats. Puck drop is set for 7:35 PM with pre game ceremonies and the Galaxy Communications, Utica Comets Fan Fest preceding. Pre game festivities begin at 4 PM.

When They Last Met: The Comets fell by a narrow 3-2 margin in Albany on Oct. 11. Alexandre Grenier and Benn Ferriero both scored their first goals of the season and Pascal Pelletier finished with two assists. The Comets couldn't get anything else past Devils netminder Keith Kinkaid, however, who finished with 23 saves on 25 shots. Scott Timmons notched two assists for the Devils while Reid Boucher, Mike Sislo and Joe Whitney each found the net once.

Comets Outlook: Utica played its third straight road game this past Saturday, and lost by a 6-4 scoreline to the Rochester Americans. The Comets put forth their strongest effort of the season, but narrowly fell after a stout comeback. The Comets fell behind early by a 4-1 mark, but rallied to knot the game at four, before they surrendered a late goal. Pelletier led all Comet players with three points (1-2-3). Grenier had his first career three-point game (0-3-3) and Darrin Archibald, Colin Stuart and Zach Hamill each tallied their first goals of the season.

Devils Outlook: Albany comes to Utica on a high note, after they recorded points in four straight contests. The Devils enter with a record of 3-1-0-1 and have won three out of their last four contests, with the lone loss coming via the shootout. Albany was victorious the last time it took to the ice, when they defeated the Norfolk Admirals 2-1. Timmons scored to extend his point streak to five games and Stefan Matteau and Joe Whitney scored in the shootout to give Albany the extra point. Albany also defeated Utica and Adirondack on their four game run and had gained a point in a shootout loss against Norfolk.

Home Sweet Home: After beginning their inaugural season with three games on the road, the Comets finally receive the comfort of home ice. Utica went 0-3-0-0 on their road swing to open the season but will make history as they take the ice tonight for the first home game in franchise history. Tonight also marks the start of a six game home stand, which spans through the Nov. 5 game against Toronto.

New York, New York: The Comets are currently in the midst of a five game stretch to open the season against teams from the Empire State. Following two games apiece against Rochester and Albany, Utica hosts the Syracuse Crunch on Friday, before their first inter state, and country, matchup against the Hamilton Bulldogs on Saturday.

Matchbox Twenty: When the puck drops tonight, it will end a span of over twenty years without a regular season AHL home game in Utica. The Utica Devils played their regular season finale on Apr. 10, 1993 against the Hamilton Canucks.

Child's Pelletier: Pascal Pelletier scored in his third straight game to open the season with his three points against the Americans. His six points (2-4-6) are tops on the Comets and tied for 21st in the entire AHL. Pelletier is tied for first in points amongst players who have played in three games or less.

Three's Company: Alexandre Grenier recorded the first three-assist game in Comets history against the Americans, giving him five points (1-4-5) for the year.

Going Green: Quite a bit has changed from the last time teams from Utica and Albany met in the AHL, but one face remains the same. Comets head coach Travis Green was a member of the Capital District Islanders from 1990-1993, where he ended his tenure third all time in goals with 56 and fifth all time in points with 128.

Homecoming: Rome, NY native and Albany Devils' forward Tim Sestito will be playing in his first professional hockey game in the Mohawk Valley area.

Scouting The Devils: Albany comes into tonight's game at 3-1-0-1, good for seven points. The Devils sit third in their division and seventh in the Eastern Conference, which has them five points back of leader Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Timmons is the team leader in points with seven (2-5-7) and has appeared on the score sheet in each of his team's five games. The center is tied for tenth in the AHL in both assists and points. Last season's leading scorer Joe Whitney is second on the Devils with six points (3-3-6) and is tied with Timmons for the team lead in goals. Jon Merrill is the top scoring defenseman on the Devils with four points (0-4-4), which has him in a tie for 16th in the AHL amongst blueliners.

Kinkaid and Scott Wedgewood have split goaltending duties thus far for Albany. Kinkaid has appeared in three contests, with a 1-1-1 record, a 2.29 goals against average (GAA) and a .897 save percentage. Wedgewood has appeared in one less contest, but enters with a 0.96 GAA and a .961 save percentage, both good for fourth in the AHL.

Check out the Utica Comets Statistics

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