AHL Utica Comets

Utica Comets Weekly Notebook

Published on January 7, 2015 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


Last Week in Review: The Utica Comets went 1-2-0-0 last week as they played in their first three-in-three of the season. The Comets and San Antonio kicked off the 2015 portion of the American Hockey League's schedule on with fireworks, and lots of them, as the teams combined for 12 goals as the Rampage won 8-4 on New Year's Day. Friday's game was a little funky as the Comets recorded a franchise low 15 shots, but defeated the Adirondack Flames 2-1. The exact opposite happened Saturday, as the Comets allowed a franchise low of 17 shots, but lost 2-1 to the Iowa Wild.

Through 34 games the Comets stand at 22-7-5-0. With a total of 49 points, the Comets sit atop the Western Conference's North Division, with a five-point lead over the second place Adirondack Flames. The Comets 49 points slots them at second overall in the Western Conference.

Thursday, January 1: Utica Comets vs. San Antonio Rampage - L 8-4 SOLD OUT

The Utica Comets fell to the San Antonio Rampage 8-4 on New Year's Day at The Utica Memorial Auditorium in their first regulation loss in 11 games. This also marks the first time the Comets have lost in regulation in front of a sell-out crowd at The AUD.

Despite offensive production from four different Comets players, San Antonio's goaltender Dan Ellis bested Utica in net with a total of 28 saves on 32 shots on net. Rampage forward, Bobby Butler (1-2-3), helped record the most offensive production on the team while being awarded the second star of the

game.

Friday, January 2: Utica Comets @ Adirondack Flames- W 2-1

The Comets rode Jacob Markstrom's 43-save performance to their sixth consecutive win against the Adirondack Flames on Friday night as the Comets slipped by the Calgary Flames American Hockey League affiliate 2-1 at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

After struggling on New Year's Day, Jacob Markstrom redeemed himself by stopping 43 shots on the 44 taken by the Flames. The first star of the game is now 10-2-1-0 on the season all while boasting a new and improved goals-against average (1.91) and a .932 save percentage. The second star of the game, Ronalds Kenins found his way on to the scorer's sheet twice this evening with two assists.

Saturday, January 3: Utica Comets vs. Iowa Wild - L 2-1 SOLD OUT

In just their third regulation loss at home this season, the Comets dropped a 2-1 decision against the Iowa Wild on Saturday evening at The Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Will Acton was the only Comet to score against the Minnesota Wild's American Hockey League affiliate after a scoring drought since Dec. 3, 2014. Iowa's goaltender John Curry was able to aid his team to safety after stopping 27 of the Comets 28 shots on net.

A Look Ahead:

The Comets have a pair of games this weekend.

Friday January 9: Utica Comets (22-7-5-0) @ Hamilton Bulldogs (15-14-6-0)

Where: FirstOntario Centre

When: 7:30pm EST

NHL Affiliate: Montreal Canadiens

Season Series: 1-0-0-0

Comets vs. Bulldogs: The Comets defeated the Bulldogs on November 19th at The AUD.

About the Bulldogs: The Bulldogs sit in third place in the North Division but are a whopping 13 points behind the first place Comets. The Bulldogs have lost four out of their last five games, and are 9-7-3-0 against North Division rivals. Rookie Charles Hudon 33 points (10-23-33), and T.J. Hensick (9-19-28) are the only Bulldogs with more than 20 points. In net, Mike Condon and Joey MacDonald have split duties pretty evenly, with Condon getting three extra games. Condon, in 18 games, owns a record of 8-7-3-0, a 2.36 goals against average, and a .926 save percentage. In 15 games, Joey MacDonald, has a 6-6-3-0 record, a 3.02 goals against average, and a .900 save percentage.

Saturday January 10: Utica Comets (22-7-5-0) vs. Adirondack Flames (21-14-1-1) SOLD OUT

Where: Utica Memorial Auditorium

When: 7:00pm EST

NHL Affiliate: Calgary Flames

Season Series: 6-0-0-0

Comets vs. Flames: The Comets are a sizzling 6-0-0-0 vs the Flames this year. Their last victory was a 2-1 affair played in Glens Falls.

About the Flames: The Adirondack Flames are one of the top American Hockey League teams this year, currently sitting seventh in the league in the points department. Don't tell the Comets that, as the North Division leaders have won all six contests against their rivals. Two rookies, Emile Poirier (10-10-20) and Bill Arnold (9-11-20), lead the the Flames in points, while Ben Hanowski (11-4-15) paces the team in goals. In goal it's been the All-Star Joni Ortio show. In 26 games he has posted a 16-8-1-0 record, a 2.54 goals against average, and a .915 save percentage.

Shooting Stars Of The Week: Alex Biega

Since returning from his first career National Hockey League call-up Alex Biega has scored at least a point (1-3-4) in three out of five games. Last week he had a goal and two assists to go with a +2 rating.

Comets Leaders

Goals: Brandon DeFazio (13)

Assists: Cal O'Reilly (26)

Points: Cal O'Reilly (30)

Power Play Goals: Alex Grenier (5)

Penalty Minutes: Andrey Pedan (75)

Shorthanded Goals: Brandon DeFazio (2)

Shots On Goal: Brandon DeFazio (90)

Plus/Minus: Bobby Sanguinetti (+16)

GAA: Jacob Markstrom (1.91)

Save Percentage: Jacob Markstrom (.932)

Wins: Joacim Eriksson (12)

Rapid Fire

On Your Best Behavior: The Comets have 416 PIMs in 34 games which is the third fewest penalty minutes in the American Hockey League. When they do take penalties, the team's penalty killing unit is stifling. Working at an 86.4% success rate, the Comets rank fifth in the AHL.

Cardiac Comets: The Comets have played in a league high 23 one-goal games. Their 14 wins in one-goal games is also a league high. Last year the Comets were one of three teams (Norfolk Admirals, Providence Bruins) to play in a league high 46 one-goal games. The Comets had the second most one-goal game wins with a record of 24-13-5-4.

The Point Man: Comets Captain Cal O'Reilly has 30 points (4-26-30) to this point, which is tied for the tennth most points in the entire American Hockey League. Cal's .88 points per game pace is better than his .86 points per game he posted in 52 games as a Comet during the 2013-14 season. O'Reilly's 26 assists is second best in the league, just six off the leader, Brian O'Neill of the Manchester Monarchs.

Win the Period, Win the Game: When the Comets escape a period with a lead, any period, they have gone on to win the game. The Comets have exited the first period with a lead 10 times to this point, and in those games the team is a perfect 12-0-0-0. The second period has seen even more success. In 16 games that the Comets have entered the third period with a lead, they are 18-0-0-0.

Short Stuff: Brandon DeFazio is tied for the league lead with two short-handed goals.

5th Line: Comets fans have sold out The AUD 13 times this year, in those 13 sold out games the Comets are 9-2-2-0. The Utica Memorial Auditorium has seen 66,905 fans walk through the door to attend a Comets game. Comets games average 3,717 fans per game, which is 97.4% capacity. Last year Comets games averaged 3,435 fans, which was 90% of The AUD's capacity.

________________

Get Your Tickets: Select tickets for all future Comets games 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.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 7, 2015


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