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AHL Utica Comets

Gameday: Utica at Toronto

February 16, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


UTICA COMETS (19-23-3-4) @ TORONTO MARLIES (28-16-2-2)

Ricoh Coliseum, 3 pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock | TV: SportsNet 360 (LIVE), NHL Network (Delayed: 8 pm)

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets make the trek north of the border for a matinee showdown with the Toronto Marlies.  The Comets are on the final of three games in three days and enter today's contest with a split of the first two, both against the Rochester Americans.

When They Last Met: The Utica Comets dropped their second game in as many nights by a 5-2 scoreline, this coming above of the border against the Toronto Marlies.  Alexandre Grenier and Kellan Lain each scored for the Comets, who fell to 11-18-1-2 with the loss. Joacim Eriksson made his return to the Utica net on a personal four game winning streak, but the Swede could not continue the stretch as he suffered his 11th defeat of the season, despite 26 saves on 30 shots.

Comets Outlook: The Utica Comets defeated the Rochester Americans 2-1 Saturday night in front of a sold out Utica Memorial Auditorium, avenging a 7-3 loss the previous night in Rochester. With the win, Utica has now picked up a point in 10 of its past 13 contests, including four of five on home ice. The Comets recorded goals from Nicklas Jensen and Brandon DeFazio, while netminder Joacim Eriksson made 31 saves on 32 shots to earn his 14th victory of the season.

Marlies Outlook: The Marlies were victorious in their first action since the AHL All-Star break, a 4-3 exhibition victory in overtime over Farjestad BK of the Swedish Elite League. Greg McKegg led the way with two goals, while Dylan Yeo (1-2-3) and Jerry D'Amigo (0-3-3) had three points apiece. Winger Brandon Kozun also scored for Toronto.  Garret Sparks led the way between the pipes with 17 saves on 20 shots.

The Sixth Jense: With his goal last night against Rochester, winger Nicklas Jensen now has six goals in seven games during the month of February, which leads all Utica skaters.  Jensen has also scored 11 goals over his past 17 games. The Danish native has now moved into third place on the Comet roster with 12 goals this season.

What Does DeFaz Say?: Brandon DeFazio is now riding a three game point streak, which dates back to last Sunday's tilt with Rockford.  The energetic winger now has 19 points (8-11-19) this season. DeFazio is also one of just three Comets, along with Benn Ferriero and Alexandre Grenier, to appear in all 49 of Utica's games.

Into Thin Eriksson: Goaltender Joacim Eriksson held the opposition to two goals or less for the seventeenth time this season with his 31 save effort in Utica's 2-1 win over Rochester. The Galve, Sweden native is 14-1-0-2 in such situations. Eriksson leads all Utica goaltenders in wins (14), save percentage (.912) and goals against average (2.68). Eriksson is also tied for second in the AHL with five shutouts.

O' Baby Come Back: The Comets have sorely missed the presence of Cal O'Reilly, who has been scratched for each of Utica's past five games with an upper body injury. The centreman has recorded 19 points (3-16-19) over 26 games played. Utica is currently just 6-13-2-2 without O'Reilly in the lineup, as opposed to 13-10-1-2 when he plays.

Not So Special Teams: The Comets have suffered from poor performance on special teams both as of late and overall this season.  Utica ranks just 21st on the power play, at a 16.1 percent clip in 2013-14. The Comets are also currently mired in a 5-for-50 slump over its past 12 games. Utica has struggled equally on the penalty kill, with just a 76.8 percent conversion rate, good for the 29th ranked man-down unit in the AHL.

Scouting The Marlies: Defenseman TJ Brennan leads the Marlies and all AHL defensemen with 51 points (20-31-51) over 48 games.  Brennan is the only defenseman in the league with double digits in goals and is one of just nine skaters overall with 20 or more goals.    

Spencer Abbott leads Toronto's forwards in all offensive categories, with 12 goals, 38 assists and 50 points.  Winger Brandon Kozun has 13 goals, combined with his time with the Manchester Monarchs. Kozun has netted nine points (3-6-9) over nine games played since he was acquired from the Los Angeles organization on Jan. 22.

Drew McIntyre has led the way for Toronto this season with an AHL high 21 victories.  McIntyre has accumulated a 2.49 goals against average and a .917 save percentage over 36 starts, also an AHL high.

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