COMETS HEAD TO ROCHESTER FOR PENULTIMATE GAME
May 14, 2021Tonight's Game: Tonight’s game against the Rochester Americans marks the last of two games this season for the Comets. The Americans and Comets will play both games inside Blue Cross Arena. The last time they faced off at the Adirondack Bank Center, the Comets won a 3-1 decision in what was the final home game for Utica this season and the final time they left the ice as the affiliate of the Vancouver Canucks after eight season. After tonight's game, they will faceoff against each other Sunday night in Rochester at 5:05 P.M.
Last Game: The Comets skated off to victory one final time inside Adirondack Bank Center by a 3-1 score on Wednesday night. Utica received goals from Vincent Arseneau, Jett Woo and John Stevens. Goaltender Mike DiPietro turned as side 33 shots on 34 attempts. After the game’s conclusion, forward Sam Anas handed Comets head coach Trent Cull the game puck as the coaches and players went to center-ice to salute the crowd. The 400 in attendance roared in approval as the game concluded.
Scouting the Americans: The Americans are led in scoring by Brett Murray who has skated 24 games for Rochester scoring nine goals while adding 10 assists for 19 points. Right behind Murray is forward Remi Elli with 25 games played totaling nine goals and nine assists for 18 points. Third in scoring for the Americans is Michael Mersch and Oskari Laaksonen. Mersch has eight goals and nine assists for 17 points on the year while leading rookie scorer defenseman Laaksonen has 25 games played scoring two goals and 15 assists for 17 points. Goaltender Billy Christopoulos skated in one game against the Comets this season and took a loss on April 23rd in Rochester by a 7-5 score while Michael Houser took the loss in goal for Rochester on Wednesday night allowing three goals on 37 Comets shots.
Jasek Leads the Way: Although not adding any points on Friday night, forward Lukas Jasek leads the Comets in points with four goals and 19 assists for 23 points in 26 games played. He did have a multi-point night on Wednesday at the Adirondack Bank Center and it was the fifth time this season Jasek ended a game with more than one point. Jasek ended a six game point streak on Friday. During the streak he scored two goals and six assists.
Road Woes: While the Comets were one of the most dominant teams while inside the confines of the Adirondack Bank Center, the road hasn’t been as friendly to Utica. With a 4-8-0-1 record this season away from home, two of those four wins were inside Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. With two final games on the road, the Comets are hoping to carry the momentum of Wednesday’s victory into the final two games of the season.