COMETS HEAD TO CONNECTICUT TO FACE SOUND TIGERS
Feb 10, 2019UTICA COMETS (26-19-3-2) vs. BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS (27-18-4-2)
Webster Bank Arena, 3 p.m.
Watch Live: AHLTV | Listen Live: 94.9 K-ROCK
Follow and Interact Live: Twitter | Hashtag: #UTIvsBRI
Tonight’s Game: The Utica Comets head east to take on the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Puck drop at Webster Bank Arena at 3 p.m.
Last Game: For the second straight night, the Comets overcame a 2-0 deficit to come away with a 5-2 win, this time over the Rochester Americans Saturday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Reid Boucher earned his first hat trick of the season, while Zack MacEwen chipped in with a goal and three assists for a four-point night. Jonathan Dahlen also found the net for Utica. Michael Leighton had 25 saves to earn his third straight win.
Head-to-Head: This is the second meeting between the Comets and Sound Tigers this season. Bridgeport won the lone contest 4-3 in overtime back on January 11. The Comets are 4-2-3-0 in the last five seasons against the Sound Tigers.
Scouting the Sound Tigers: Bridgeport comes in with a record of 27-18-4-2 and sits in second place in the Atlantic Division. They most recently beat the Providence Bruins 4-2 last night. Chris Bourque leads the way offensively with 38 points, followed by Otto Koivula with 356 points. Jeremy Smith is the top netminder with a 14-9-2 record, a 2.89 goals-against average, and .901 save percentage.
Conquering The Atlantic: The Comets have played very well against teams from the Atlantic Division over the past two months. Utica has won two in a row and has earned at least a one point in eight straight games against Atlantic Division teams. The Comets are 7-3-2-0 against the Atlantic Division this season.
Heating Up: Jonathan Dahlen has been on a roll. Dahlen is riding a three-game point streak since snapping his four-game pointless drought, picking up two goals and an assist. The rookie forward has 25 points (13-12-25) in 46 games this year.
Career Season: Reid Boucher is in the midst of another career season. With a four-point game last night against the Americans, Boucher eclipsed his career high in points and earned his 200th career AHL point. He also topped his career high in assists and is two goals back of tying his career best in goals. The forward leads Utica with 47 points (23-24-47) in 38 games this year.
Just Killin’ It: The Comets’ penalty kill has quietly been very good over the last five games. Utica has killed off eight of their last 10 penalties on the road and 13 of their last 16 penalties overall. The Comets’ kill ranks eighth on the road at 83.3% and 13th overall at 81.6%.
Next Game: The Comets are back at it Wednesday night when they host the Laval Rocket. Puck drop at the Adirondack Bank Center is at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to use the ticket exchange site, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL TV.