Utica Comets Weekly Notebook
Published on November 4, 2014 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
Last Week in Review: The Utica Comets captured five out of a possible six points when they went 2-0-1-0 last week. The Comets kicked off the week with a Wednesday night 3-2 victory on the road over the Binghamton Senators, and then fell 4-3 in overtime to the same Binghamton team at The AUD. The Comets wrapped up the week with a thrilling 5-4 victory at the Glens Falls Civic Center, against the Adirondack Flames.
Through 10 games the Comets have collected 16 out of a possible 20 points and a 7-1-2-0 record, good for not only first place in the entire Western Conference, but the entire American Hockey League.
Wednesday, October 29: Utica Comets @ Binghamton Senators - W 3-2
The Comets ran their win streak to four games with a 3-2 win over the Binghamton Senators at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton, NY.
Goaltender Joacim Eriksson stopped 27 of the Senators 29 shots for his second victory in as many games. Carter Bancks, Peter Andersson, and Bobby Sanguinetti each scored a goal in the win.
Friday, October 31: Utica Comets vs. Binghamton Senators - L 4-3 (OT)
All eyes were on Jacob Markstrom and his pursuit of the all-time American Hockey League shutout streak record. The Senators put an end to the Markstrom's pursuit of history just 5:55 into the game. Markstrom's shutout streak ended at 238 minutes and 8 seconds.
Binghamton raced to a 3-0 lead with goals from Alex Guptil, Alex Grant, and Chris Wideman. However, behind three goals from three separate defenseman (Ehrhardt, Tommernes, and Corrado) the Comets tied the game at three and forced overtime.
The Senators escaped with the victory with a Chris Wideman power-play goal 4:21 into overtime.
Saturday, November 1: Utica Comets @ Adirondack Flames - W 5-4
The Utica Comets scored early and often Saturday night but ultimately just slipped past the Adirondack Flames with a 5-4 win at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
Five different Comets recorded a goal in the game. Nicklas Jensen (1-1-2) and Cal O'Reilly (0-2-2) paced the way for the Comets with two points apiece.
The Comets raced to a 2-0 lead after their first two shots on goal, from Brandon DeFazio and Nicklas Jensen, found the back of the net.
A Look Ahead:
The Comets will enjoy some home-cooking at The AUD on Wednesday night against the Binghamton Senators before hitting the road for games in Lake Erie, and Rochester, on Friday and Saturday respectively.
Wednesday November 5: Utica Comets (7-1-2-0) vs Binghamton Senators (3-5-2-0)
Where: Utica Memorial Auditorium
When: 7:00pm EST
NHL Affiliate: Ottawa Senators
Season Series: 1-0-1-0
Comets vs. Senators: This is the third time these teams have met in the last seven days, with each team recording victories on the other team's ice.
About the Senators: The Senators have only won one game in their past five contests, with the lone victory coming at The AUD in overtime. Chris Wideman (7-6-13) has tortured the Comets so far this year, with three goals in two games. Andrew Hammond has started all but one of the team's games, however it was Scott Greenham who stymied the Comets and led the Senators to victory last week. Hammond has posted a 2-5-2 record, along with a .900 save percentage, and a 3.80 GAA.
Friday November 7: Utica Comets (7-1-2-0) @ Lake Erie Monsters (4-4-0-1)
Where: Quicken Loans Arena
When: 7:30pm EST
NHL Affiliate: Colorado Avalanche
Season Series: 0-0-0-0
Comets vs. Monsters: This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.
About the Monsters: Despite having a .500 record at this point, the Monsters seem to have found traction with back-to-back wins over the defending Calder Cup champions. Mike Sgarbossa (0-7-7) paces the way offensively for the Monsters. Calvin Pickard has been the man between the pipes for Lake Erie. In six games he has posted a 3-2-1 record, a 2.12 GAA, and a .933 save percentage. Pickard has also appeared in two games for the NHL's Colorado Avalanche this year.
Sunday November 8: Utica Comets (7-1-2-0) vs. Rochester Americans (6-3-0-0)
Where: Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial
When: 7:00pm EST
NHL Affiliate: Buffalo Sabres
Season Series: 0-0-0-0
Comets vs Americans: This will be the first meeting between the two teams this season.
About the Americans: The Comets will make their first visit to their House of Horrors in Rochester. Last year the Comets went 1-4 in Rochester, and were outscored 25-12. This year the Amerks are hot on the trails of the Comets as they enter the week in second play in the North Division. Just like last year, Phil Varone leads the Amerks in points with nine points (5-4-9) in nine games. Chad Ruhwedel (2-7-9) also has nine points. Nathan Lieuwen and Andrey Makarov have split duties in net. In six games Lieuwen has posted a 3-3 record, with a 3.12 GAA, and .889 save percentage. Makarov has been unbeaten this far, going 3-0 with a sparkling 1.44 GAA, and a .959 save percentage.
Shooting Stars Of The Week: Cal O'Reilly
Cal O'Reilly netted five points, all assists, and a +1 rating in last week's games.
Comets Leaders
Goals: Dustin Jeffrey & Brandon DeFazio (4)
Assists: Cal O'Reilly (12)
Points: Cal O'Reilly (13)
Power Play Goals: Alex Grenier & Henrik Tommernes (2)
Penalty Minutes: Darren Archibald (29)
Shorthanded Goals: Brandon DeFazio (2)
Shots On Goal: Brandon DeFazio (31)
Plus/Minus: Peter Andersson & Bobby Sanguinetti (+10)
GAA: Jacob Markstrom (.99)
Save Percentage: Jacob Markstrom (.963)
Wins: Jacob Markstrom (4)
We're Going Streaking
-Cal O'Reilly not only has a six game point streak going, he also has back-to-back games with multiple points.
-Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has not been defeated in regulation to this point in five starts.
-Dustin Jeffrey has a three-game point streak.
-Joacim Eriksson has a three-game winning streak going.
Rapid Fire
Not Your Last Year's Comets: Through 10 games the Comets have collected 16 points which is currently an American Hockey League high. Last year the Comets only grabbed 2 points in their first 10 games, which placed them in dead last in the entire league.
One Man Award Show: Jacob Markstrom's incredibly hot start has landed him two awards. Last week Markstrom was named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week, and then today was named the CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month. Markstrom made his first appearance of the season on Oct. 11 at Toronto and stopped 24 of 25 shots in Utica's 2-1 victory. He followed that up with three consecutive shutouts, blanking his former San Antonio teammates (28 saves) on Oct. 17, Adirondack (29 saves) on Oct. 22 and Toronto (27 saves) on Oct. 25. Markstrom extended his shutout streak to 238:08 - a little more than 30 minutes shy of the all-time league record - before allowing a goal to Binghamton on Oct. 31, and finished the night with 23 stops in a 4-3 overtime loss.
Pass and You Shall Receive: Cal O'Reilly has notched twelve assists this year which is a league high with a three assist cushion. Add in O'Reilly's one goal and he currently sits in second place league wide for points. O'Reilly also leads the league with a six-game assist streak.
The Andy Man Can: Through 10 games Peter Andersson has already tied a career high for goals in a season. Last year in 58 games played, he scored twice, and added in 11 assists, which is also a career high.
Short Stuff: Brandon DeFazio is tied for the league lead with two short-handed goals.
Add it Up: Two Comets defenders tops the league's charts in the plus/minus category. Peter Andersson and Bobby Sanguinetti each have a +10 rating through 10 games.
5th Line: Comets fans have sold out The AUD three out of four games this year, in those three sold out games the Comets are 3-0-0-0.
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