COMETS VISIT THUNDERBIRDS TO CLOSE OUT WEEKEND SERIES
Mar 10, 2018UTICA COMETS (30-20-10) vs. SPRINGFIELD THUNDERBIRDS (27-28-5)
MassMutual Center, 7:05 p.m.
Watch Live: AHL Live | Listen Live: 94.9 K-ROCK, Desktop or Mobile
Follow and Interact Live: Twitter | Hashtag: #UTIvsSPR
Tonight’s Game: The Utica Comets take on the Springfield Thunderbirds for the second straight night. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
Last Game: The Utica Comets topped the Springfield Thunderbirds by a score of 3-2 in overtime Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Cam Darcy struck first with a power play goal at the 15:12 mark of the first period. Cole Cassels and Patrick Wiercioch picked up the assists. Anthony Greco tied the game at one with 11:58 to go in the second period. Adam Comrie put the Comets back on top with a power play goal of his own. Michael Chaput and Zack MacEwen tallied the assists. Ed Wittchow knotted things up at two with 7:11 to go in the third period. Comrie potted a rebound in the slot with two minutes to go in overtime to win the game. Wiercioch had the lone assist. Demko finished with 25 saves to improve his record to 20-10-6.
Head-to-Head: This is the third meeting between Utica and Springfield this season. The two teams have split the season series, each earning a 3-2 win, with Springfield winning in regulation on February 24 and the Comets winning in overtime last night. The Comets are 3-2-1 all-time against the Thunderbirds.
Scouting the Thunderbirds: Springfield comes in with a record of 27-28-5 and sits in sixth place in the Atlantic Division. They most recently fell to the Comets 3-2 in overtime last night. Curtis Valk leads the offense with 45 points, followed by Anthony Greco with 42 points. Samuel Montembeault leads the goaltending tandem with a 12-17-3 record, a 3.18 goals-against average, and .898% save percentage.
Back On Track: The Comets power play finally broke their scoreless slump. With goals from Cam Darcy and Adam Comrie last night, Utica ended a 0-29 run that spanned their last eight games. The man advantage now ranks seventh in the league at 19.1%.
Slump Buster: Zack MacEwen was able to end his pointless draught. After going five games without a point, MacEwen got back on the scoresheet with an assist last night. The rookie forward leads the active roster with 31 points (9-22-31) in 55 games this year.
Grounding The Birds: Adam Comrie has played exceptionally well against Springfield this season. In two games against the Thunderbirds, Comrie has scored three goals, including the game-winning goal in overtime in last night. The veteran forward has notched 14 points (7-7-14) in 30 games with the Comets and 17 points (8-9-17) in 40 total games this season.
Just Killin’ It: The Comets penalty kill continues to thrive and remains a huge asset. Utica turned in another perfect performance last night, killing off all five penalties. In addition, the Comets have allowed only one goal while down a man in the last six games, killing off 32 of 33 penalties in the process. The Comets penalty kill ranks third in the AHL at 86.4%.
Next Game: The Comets return to the ice Friday, March 16 as they host the Laval Rocket. Puck drop at the Adirondack Bank Center is at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to utilize the ticket exchange website, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL Live.