COMETS AND SENATORS BATTLE IN ST. PATRICK'S DAY SHOWDOWN
Mar 17, 2018UTICA COMETS (30-22-10) vs. BELLEVILLE SENATORS (23-36-5)
Yardmen Arena 7 p.m.
Watch Live: AHL Live | Listen Live: 94.9 K-ROCK, Desktop or Mobile
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Tonight’s Game: The Utica Comets take on the Belleville Senators. Puck drops at 7 p.m.
Last Game: The Utica Comets fell to the Laval Rocket by a score of 4-2 Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Cam Darcy put the Comets up 1-0 with 6:31 to go in the first period, tipping a pass from Patrick Wiercioch. Michael Chaput also picked up an assist on the play. Kerby Rychel tied the game at one with a power play goal 53 seconds into the second period. Niki Petti gave Laval a 2-1 lead six minutes later. Eric Gelinas extended the lead to 3-1 with a shorthanded goal at the 14:52 mark of the second period. Terry scored a power play goal 1:17 into the third period to make it 4-1 Laval. Tony Cameranesi brought the Comets to within two three minutes later. Darcy tallied the assist. Laval snuffed out the Comets’ late comeback attempt to secure the win. Demko finished with 19 saves and his record fell to 20-11-6.
Head-to-Head: This is the fifth meeting between the North Division rivals this season. Utica leads the season series 3-1-0, but Belleville won the most recent matchup 1-0 on March 2. The Comets are outscoring the Senators 16-9 through four games this year.
Scouting the Senators: Belleville comes in with a record of 23-36-5 and sits in sixth place in the North Division. They most recently fell 3-1 to the Toronto Marlies last night. Filip Chlapik leads the active roster with 27 points, followed by Ville Pokka with 26 points. Danny Taylor leads the goaltending tandem with a record of 9-15-3, a 3.20 goals-against average, and a .898 save percentage.
O, Canada: This short two-game road trip will see the Comets head north to Canada to battle Belleville tonight and Toronto tomorrow. The Comets have fared well north of the border, going 4-2-0 and outscoring opponents 24-21 in those games. Utica is 9-8-0 overall against the Eastern Conference Canadian teams this season.
In Like A Lion: The month of March has not been kind to the Comets thus far. The Comets are 1-5-0 this month and have yet to win in regulation. The Comets have been outscored 21-7 during that span, including being shutout three times.
Heating Up: Cam Darcy has stepped up his offensive game as of late. Darcy has three points (2-1-3) in his last three games. The third year forward has 22 points (5-17-22) in 42 games this season.
Turn It Around: The Comets power play has struggled over the last few games, but tonight may offer a reprieve. Utica has gone 5-15 (33.3%) on the man advantage against Belleville. In addition, the Senators penalty kill is the second worst in the league, clocking in at 76.9%. Overall, the Comets power play ranks 11th in the AHL at 18.4%.
Next Game: The Comets are back at it tomorrow afternoon against the Toronto Marlies. Puck drop at Ricoh Coliseum is at 4 p.m. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL Live.