Sports stats

AHL Utica Comets

Utica Comets Weekly Notebook

October 20, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Last Week In Review: The Utica Comets went to the Deep South this weekend to cap off their season opening four-game road trip to take on the San Antonio Rampage and the Texas Stars. "Shutout" was the word of the weekend as the Comets shutout the San Antonio Rampage 3-0 during Friday's night contest, and then were shutout 1-0 by the Texas Stars on Saturday night.

During the season opening four-game road trip the Comets went 2-1-1-0, capturing 5 out of a possible 8 points. After two weeks of play, the Comets sit in second place in the Western Conference's North Division.

Friday, October 17: Utica Comets @ San Antonio Rampage - W 3-0

Led by Jacob Markstrom in net, the Comets returned to the arena Markstrom called home for the past three years and defeated the San Antonio Rampage 3-0.

Markstrom stopped all 28 Rampage shots en route to his first shutout as a Comet and earned first star honors. Brendan Gaunce (1-1-2), Wacey Hamilton (0-2-2) and Carter Bancks (1-1-2), as members of the Comets fourth line, all netted two points a piece.

Gaunce's goal was his first career professional goal.

Saturday, October 18: Utica Comets @ Dallas Stars - L 1-0

The Comets went step-for-step with the defending Calder Cup Champions in Texas on Saturday night, but a third period tally from the reigning American Hockey League MVP Travis Morin was the difference in the game.

Joacim Eriksson got the start in net, stopping 28 of the Stars' 29 shots on goal.

The Comets penalty kill unit kept its perfect pace killing all four Stars' power plays, and moved to 15-for-15 on the year. The Comets power play unit went 0-for-4 on the night.

A Look Ahead:

The Comets finally make their long awaited 2014-15 debut inside the Utica Memorial Auditorium with three games in four days, starting Wednesday, October 22, against the Adirondack Flames. Two more home games are on tap with a Friday night tilt against the San Antonio Rampage, and a Saturday night contest against the Toronto Marlies.

Wednesday October 22: Adirondack Flames (1-3-1-0) vs. Utica Comets (2-1-1-0)

Where: Utica Memorial Auditorium

When: 7:35pm EST

NHL Affiliate: Calgary Flames

Season Series: 0-0-0-0

Comets vs. Flames: This is the first meeting between the two teams this season.

About the Flames: It's been a rough start to the season for the Adirondack Flames who dropped their first four games. The Flames ship may have been righted after the team earned the franchise's first victory, a 4-2 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Saturday night. Markus Granlund (2-2-4) and Dustin Stevenson (2-2-4) have paced the way for the Flames, with four points a piece. Joni Ortio has started four of the team's six games, and has recorded a 1-2-1 record, with a 4.27 GAA, and a .872 save percentage.

Friday October 24: San Antonio Rampage (3-1-0-0) vs. Utica Comets (2-1-1-0)

Where: Utica Memorial Auditorium

When: 7:00pm EST

NHL Affiliate: Florida Panthers

Season Series: 1-0-0-0

Comets vs. Rampage: Led by a strong offensive effort from the Comets fourth line, and a 29 save shutout performance from goaltender Jacob Markstrom, the Comets defeated the Rampage 3-0 in the lone matchup between the two teams.

About the Rampage: After starting off 2-0, the Rampage got back to their winning ways after their loss to the Comets on Friday, with a 5-4 victory over the Oklahoma City Barons on Saturday. Vincent Trocheck is a +5 for the Rampage, with five points (2-3-5) to lead the team. Bobby Butler (1-3-4) is second on the team with four points. In net, Dan Ellis and Michael Houser continue to split goaltending duties as each have played in two games. Ellis has a record of 1-1, with a 2.51 GAA, and a .898 save percentage. Houser is 2-0 with a 2.92 GAA, and .882 save percentage.

Saturday October 25: Toronto Marlies (3-2-0-0) vs. Utica Comets (2-1-1-0)

Where: Utica Memorial Auditorium

When: 7:00pm EST

NHL Affiliate: Toronto Marlies

Season Series: 1-0-1-0

Comets vs. Marlies: The Opening Weekend of the American Hockey League season included the Marlies and Comets playing in back-to-back days. Behind goals from Dustin Jeffrey and Alex Grenier, the Comets defeated the Marlies 2-1 in the first game. On Saturday, it took two late goals from Viktor Loov, one in the third and one in overtime, but the Marlies were able to slip by the Comets by a score of 3-2.

About the Marlies: The Marlies have heated up after losing their season opener to the Comets by winning three out of their last four games. Despite the three victories, the Marlies have yet to win in regulation, with two wins coming in overtime, and the other in a shootout. Spencer Abbott (1-2-3), Connor Brown (1-2-3) and Josh Leivo (1-2-3) lead the way for the Marlies with three points each. In net, the Marlies have employed a two-goalie system to this point with Antoine Bibeau starting three games, compared to Chris Gibson who has started two. Statistically, Bibeau has emerged as the top goalie to this point with a 2-1 record, 1.25 GAA, and .959 save percentage, while Gibson has a 1-1 record, 2.86 GAA, and a .912 save percentage.

Shooting Stars Of The Week: Brendan Gaunce (1-1-2), Wacey Hamilton (0-2-2), Carter Bancks (1-1-2)

There was no way to narrow this down to just one player so we're naming the Comets entire fourth line as the stars of the week. The trio combined for six points, and a +6 ranking. They also contributed heavily in their own zone with multiple blocked shots and forced turnovers.

Comets Leaders

Goals: Dustin Jeffrey (2)

Assists: Cal O'Reilly, Alex Grenier, Brendan Gaunce, Wacey Hamilton, & Hunter Shinkaruk (2)

Points: Alex Grenier, Dustin Jeffrey, & Brendan Gaunce (3)

Power Play Goals: Alex Grenier & Dustin Jeffrey (1)

Penalty Minutes: Darren Archibald (20)

Shorthanded Goals: N/A

Shots On Goal: Brandon DeFazio (13)

Plus/Minus: Brendan Gaunce (+3)

GAA: Jacob Markstrom (.50)

Save Percentage: Jacob Markstrom (.981)

Wins: Jacob Markstrom (2)

We're Going Streaking

Jacob Markstrom has a two-game winning streak going in net, and has not allowed a goal in 92:33 of play.

Rapid Fire

Full House: With Bo Horvat being assigned to the Comets on Sunday, the Comets Home Opener roster is set to include five first round draft picks (Nicklas Jensen, Hunter Shinkaruk, Brendan Gaunce, Bo Horvar and Bobby Sanguinetti).

P(rofessional) K(illers): The Comets Penalty Kill unit got off to a fantastic start by killing all seven Marlies power plays over the weekend.

The Mark Factor: Jacob Markstrom has not allowed a goal in 92:33 of play.

Milestones Reached: Brendan Gaunce picked up his first career professional assist on Oct. 12 against the Marlies, when the AHL corrected a scoring error and added an assist on Brandon DeFazio's goal. Gaunce also netted his first career professional goal on Friday Oct. 17 at San Antonio.

________________

Get Your Tickets: Select tickets for the Comets Home Opener on Oct. 22 remain available. Also, cheer on the Utica Comets with your group, business or school! Special pricing and opportunities are available through our Group Sales Office. Give us a call at (315) 790-9070 or visit our web page at www.uticacomets.com for more information.

Check out the Utica Comets Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from October 20, 2014


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.

Other Recent Utica Comets Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central