COMETS HEAD TO SYRACUSE FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT MEETING

May 8, 2021

Tonight’s Game: Tonight’s game against the Syracuse Crunch is the last time the Comets will face off against the Crunch in Syracuse at the Upstate University Medical Arena this season. Tonight marks the sixth game in Syracuse with the Comets only winning a single game so far this season. The only win in Syracuse came on February 27. The Comets road record this season is 4-7-0-1. At home, the Crunch are 9-6. 

Last Game: The game at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica last night took an overtime to settle the score as Comets rookie defenseman Jett Woo scored the winner as he skated around Crunch goalie Spencer Martin and lifted a backhander just past Martin and into the net. On the evening, three Comets defenseman registered goals including Josh Wesley and the first professional goal for rookie Tyler Tucker. Mike DiPietro improved his record to 2-1 this season in three games played.  

Scouting the Crunch: Boris Katchouk currently leads the Crunch in points with (11G, 23A, 34pts). Second on the team is Taylor Raddysh (12-17-29) followed by Otto Somppi (11-14-25). Those three men compose the Crunch's most formidable line that has plagued the Comets all season long. Netminder Spencer Martin holds a 3-1-2 record in six games against the Comets with a 2.66 GAA and a .913 SVPCT. Rookie forward Ryan Lohin has six goals in 11 games against Utica along with four assists. 

Sam Anas Leads the Way: With two assists on Friday night, forward Sam Anas leads the Comets in points with 3 goals and 19 assists for 22 points in 18 games played. The multi point night on Friday at the Adirondack Bank Center was the eighth time this season Anas ended a game with more than one point. Only four times this year in his 18 games has Anas failed to register a point. Anas was the AHL's leading scorer last season with 20 goals and 50 assists on the shortened year. 

Tyler Tucker Finally Scores: With several quality chances throughout the contest, rookie defenseman Tyler Tucker finally scored his first professional goal last night against the Crunch. After a big hit at center ice by Will Lockwood created room for Tucker, the puck was moved into the Crunch zone where Tucker roofed a shot over the glove of Syracuse goalie Spencer Martin. While his teammates celebrated the rookies first goal, it also gave his team a 4-2 lead. 

Road Woes: While the Comets remain 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 4-7-0-1 record this season away from home, the club three of those four wins were inside Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York. Shockingly, while the Comets have dominated most opponents in their home building, they have only managed one victory all season in Syracuse and it came back on February 27.