COMETS BATTLE PENGUINS FOR FIRST TIME THIS SEASON
Feb 17, 2018UTICA COMETS (27-14-10) vs. WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS (30-14-4)
Mohegan Sun Arena, 7:05 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 faceoff against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for the first time this year. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
Last Game: The Utica Comets downed the Binghamton Devils by a score of 3-1 Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. The win extended the Comets’ point streak to 14 games. Guillaume Brisebois struck first blood for the Comets with 12:09 remaining in the second period. Alexis D’Aoust and Cole Cassels tallied the assists. Zack MacEwen extended the lead to 2-0 21 second later. Griffen Molino had the assist. Michael Chaput netted a power play goal with 11 seconds remaining in the middle frame to put the Comets up 3-0. Patrick Wiercioch and Dylan Blujus picked up the assists. Blake Speers got the Devils on the board with 9:35 to go in the third period, redirecting a shot past Bachman. Bachman finished with 23 saves to improve his record to 9-7-4.
Head-to-Head: This is the first meeting between the Comets and Penguins this season. The two teams split last year’s season series, with each team winning twice. The Comets are 2-3-0 all-time on the road against the Penguins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads the all-time series 5-3-2.
Scouting the Penguins: The Penguins come in with a record of 30-14-4 and sit in first place in the Atlantic Division. They most recently fell 12-3 to the Rochester Americans last night. Daniel Sprong leads the offense with 39 points, followed by Ryan Haggerty with 31 points. Casey DeSmith is the leading netminder with a record of 14-6-2, a 2.63 goals-against average, and a .913% save percentage.
Road Warriors: The Comets remain one of the hottest teams on the road this season. The Comets are riding a three-game winning streak and a 10-game point streak away from home this season. In addition, Utica is outscoring opponents 70-55 on the road. The Comets are 15-5-4 away from the Adirondack Bank Center this year.
Welcome Back: Griffen Molino returned to the lineup last night after missing 20 games with an injury. Molino collected an assist in last night’s win and prior to last night, he registered a goal and an assist against the Syracuse Crunch back on December 23. The rookie forward has compiled five points (2-3-5) in 25 games this season.
Unstoppable: The Comets just keep on rolling. Utica is riding a 14-game point streak coming into tonight’s game, which is the longest active streak in the league. During the streak, the Comets have only surrendered three or more goals three times. The Comets have not lost in regulation since falling to the Syracuse Crunch back on January 12.
Pat-ing His Stats: Patrick Wiercioch continues to make an impact on the back-end for Utica. Wiercioch is riding a three-game point streak coming into tonight’s game and five points in his last seven games. The veteran defenseman has tallied 20 points (6-14-20) in 35 games this season.
Next Game: The Comets return to the ice Monday afternoon for a matinee showdown with the Belleville Senators. Puck drop at Yardmen Arena is at 3 p.m. The game can be heard on 94.9 KORCK and viewed on AHL Live.