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AHL Utica Comets

Irish Night a Success on and off the Ice

March 10, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


The timing could not have been more perfect.

Friday evening's crowd for Irish Night at The AUD truly embodied the name of the promotion. With green beer floating throughout the arena and Dropkick Murphys blaring from the speakers, the large, loud and boisterous Utica crowd was simply waiting for an opportunity to erupt.

Irish eyes were smiling on the Utica Comets on this night, as Brandon DeFazio found the back of the net with just 7.7 seconds left on the clock, in an embodiment of an Irish mindset that the Comets seem to have adopted. The goal tied the score at one, prompting five more minutes of free hockey for the sold out crowd in attendance.

"I don't normally get overly excited when we win or lose, but that was a great atmosphere tonight with our crowd," Utica Head Coach Travis Green said following the game.

The game night atmosphere was set long before the puck dropped. With Irish step dancers in the concourse and corn beef sandwiches at the concession stands, an Irish feel was in the air. Fans were even treated to a Celtic performance from a local bagpiper David De Cola, whose sound of Simple Gifts, amongst other songs, led to a standing ovation prior to puck drop, which got the evening started with a bang.

For 59 minutes and 53 seconds, the Comets faithful didn't have overly much to cheer about. Utica recorded only 17 shots leading up to an offensive zone faceoff with less than 20 seconds to play in the game. A faceoff win from Pascal Pelletier, followed by a mad scramble in front, sent The AUD into an absolute frenzy as DeFazio willed the puck across the goal line to knot the score at one with only seven ticks left on the clock.

After a scoreless overtime period, the Comets went to a shootout, where Callahan Patrick O'Reilly, with a Shamrock on his shoulder, scored the lone goal in the final round to set off the fervor of Erin Go Bragh in Utica. In a fitting ending to Irish Night, what might go down as the most Irish name in the AHL, found the back of the net for the game winner.

"It was a special night," recalls Cal O'Reilly. "The fans were incredible, and were great in supporting us. It's always special to score a game-winning shootout goal, it was especially cool to score one on Irish Night."

While goaltender Joacim Eriksson is certainly not from an Irish Heritage, he still put in one of his finest performances of the season with 32 saves on 33 shots against, including a perfect five of five during the shootout. As Observer Dispatch reporter John Pitarresi said for Eriksson, it was the "Luck of the Irish and the Luck of the Swedish."

As was the case with Pink The Rink night, the Comets used a post game jersey auction to raise money for charity, with proceeds going to the Rescue Mission in Utica. Joacim Eriksson was once again the big winner, with his green, puck marked sweater going for a cool $4,000. Team President Robert Esche was another big spender as he took home Pelletier's jersey for $3,000. Esche and Pelletier were teammates with Langnau in Switzerland during the 2011-12.

The win marked the eighth straight win for the Comets that came by one goal all of which coming in nail biting fashion. Utica has become the epitome of a gritty, hard working team, moving in on a playoff stretch run. And in all honesty, wouldn't that be the way the Irish would want it?

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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