Utica Comets Weekly Notebook
November 10, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
Last Week in Review: The Utica Comets kept their torrid start to the season going with a perfect 3-0 week. Jacob Markstrom was back to his old tricks as he stymied the Binghamton Senators on Wednesday night at The AUD as the Comets won 1-0. The Comets kept the good times rolling with a 4-1 victory at Quicken Loans Arena against the Lake Erie Monsters. On Saturday the Comets extended their division lead to 10 points with a 3-2 victory over division rival Rochester Americans.
Through 13 games the Comets have collected 23 out of a possible 28 points and a 10-1-2-0 record, good for not only first place in the entire Western Conference, but the entire American Hockey League.
Wednesday, November 5: Utica Comets vs. Binghamton Senators - W 1-0
Jacob Markstrom pitched his fourth shutout of the year as the Comets blanked the Binghamton Senators 1-0 on Wednesday night at The Utica Memorial Auditorium. Markstrom stole the show and excited The AUD faithful yet again. The Swedish goaltender ended up stopping all 19 shots faced and recorded his fourth shutout in six games.
Nicklas Jensen provided all the offense the Comets would need with a first period goal. The goal was his fourth of the season.
Friday, November 7: Utica Comets @ Lake Erie Monsters - W 4-1
The Utica Comets extended their eight game point streak (7-0-1-0) Friday night after a 4-1 win over the Lake Erie Monsters at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Alex Biega (0-2-2) and Alexandre Grenier (0-2-2) led the way with two points apiece. Joacim Eriksson put in another solid performance recording 29 saves on 30 shots.
New Hartford native, Mike Zalewski, scored his first career professional goal. Hunter Shinkaruk (1-0-1), Darren Archibald (1-0-1), and Frank Corrado (1-0-1) also netted goals in the victory.
Saturday, November 8: Utica Comets @ Rochester Americans - W 3-2
The Comets extended their win streak to four games with a 3-2 win over the Rochester Americans at the Blue Cross Arena.
Wacey Hamilton (1-1-2) and Henrik Tommernes (0-2-2) both contributed with two points a piece. Jacob Markstrom put on another spectacular performance for the club by saving 33 of 35 shots. His goals-against-average sits at a remarkable at 0.99 on the season.
Ronalds Kenins (1-0-1) and Bobby Sanguinetti (1-0-1) scored the other goals for the Comets.
A Look Ahead:
The #Comets return to The AUD for a two-game series vs. the Chicago Wolves.
Wednesday November 12: Utica Comets (10-1-2-0) vs Chicago Wolves (XXXX)
Where: Utica Memorial Auditorium
When: 7:00pm EST
NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues
Season Series: 0-0-0-0
Comets vs. Wolves: This is the first time these teams have met in the last seven days, with each team recording victories on the other team's ice.
About the Wolves: The Wolves enter this game with the Comets almost equally as hot. Winners of five of their last six games, the Wolves sit just three points back of the division leader, the Rockford IceHogs. Rob Bordson (5-5-10), and former Comets forward Jeremy Welsh (5-4-9) pace the Wolves in the points department. Another former Comet, Benn Ferriero, fresh off recovering from an injury, is also in the line-up, as he has played in two games, recording an assist. After graduating last year's superstar goalie, Jake Allen, the Wolves this year employ a two-goalie rotation. Mitt Climie has played in seven games, recording a 5-1-1-0 record, a 2.25 GAA, and a .904 save percentage. His counterpart, Jordan Binnington, has played in five games and has a record of 3-1-1-0, 1.80 GAA, and a .925 save percentage.
Friday November 14: Utica Comets (10-1-2-0) vs. Chicago Wolves (8-2-2-0)
Where: Quicken Loans Arena
When: 7:30pm EST
NHL Affiliate: Colorado Avalanche
Season Series: 0-0-0-0
Where: Utica Memorial Auditorium
When: 7:00pm EST
NHL Affiliate: St. Louis Blues
Season Series: 0-0-0-0
Comets vs. Wolves: This is the first time these teams have met in the last seven days, with each team recording victories on the other team's ice.
About the Wolves: The Wolves enter this game with the Comets almost equally as hot. Winners of five of their last six games, the Wolves sit just three points back of the division leader, the Rockford IceHogs. Rob Bordson (5-5-10), and former Comets forward Jeremy Welsh (5-4-9) pace the Wolves in the points department. Another former Comet, Benn Ferriero, fresh off recovering from an injury, is also in the line-up, as he has played in two games, recording an assist. After graduating last year's superstar goalie, Jake Allen, the Wolves this year employ a two-goalie rotation. Mitt Climie has played in seven games, recording a 5-1-1-0 record, a 2.25 GAA, and a .904 save percentage. His counterpart, Jordan Binnington, has played in five games and has a record of 3-1-1-0, 1.80 GAA, and a .925 save percentage.
Shooting Stars Of The Week: Dustin Jeffrey
Dustin Jeffrey returned from injury with a vengeance. He recorded two assists and +2 rating on the week. Both assists were on what would stand to be the game-winning goals.
Comets Leaders
Goals: Dustin Jeffrey, Nicklas Jensen & Brandon DeFazio (4)
Assists: Cal O'Reilly (13)
Points: Cal O'Reilly (14)
Power Play Goals: Alex Grenier & Henrik Tommernes (2)
Penalty Minutes: Darren Archibald (38)
Shorthanded Goals: Brandon DeFazio (2)
Shots On Goal: Brandon DeFazio (38)
Plus/Minus: Peter Andersson & Bobby Sanguinetti (+11)
GAA: Jacob Markstrom (.99)
Save Percentage: Jacob Markstrom (.963)
Wins: Jacob Markstrom (6)
We're Going Streaking
-Goaltender Jacob Markstrom has not been defeated in regulation to this point in seven starts.
-Dustin Jeffrey has a five game point streak.
-Joacim Eriksson has a three-game winning streak going.
-Comets have now killed the last 14 opponents' power play attempts.
-The Comets have gained a point in nine straight games, going 8-0-1-0 over that span.
Rapid Fire
Lonely At the Top: The Comets have opened up a 10-point lead over their division rivals. No other division leader in the American Hockey League holds more than a three-point lead.
Add it Up: Two Comets defenders are tied for second in the league in the plus/minus category. Peter Andersson and Bobby Sanguinetti each have a +11 rating through 13 games.
Two-Headed Swedish Monster: Amongst goalies with five or more games played, both Jacob Markstrom and Joacim Eriksson rank in the Top 10 in goals against average. Markstrom (0.99 GAA) is tops in the league, while Eriksson (2.13) is 10th. Milwaukee's Magnus Hellburg (0.64 GAA) is the only goaltender with a better GAA than Markstrom, but has only appeared in three games.
Shut Them Down: The Comets have allowed a league low 22 goals against. That's an average of 1.69 goals per game. In contrast the Comets have averaged 2.92 goals per game.
Master Dish: Cal O'Reilly currently leads the entire American Hockey League with 13 assists.
Short Stuff: Brandon DeFazio is tied for the league lead with two short-handed goals.
5th Line: Comets fans have sold out The AUD three out of five games this year, in those three sold out games the Comets are 3-0-0-0.
________________
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