SYRACUSE BACK IN TOWN FOR FRIDAY NIGHT
May 5, 2021Today's Game: Tonight’s game against the Syracuse Crunch marks the last of six games this season for the Comets. The Crunch and Comets will play each other in four straight games until the Comets face Rochester at home on May 12. The last time they faced off at the Adirondack Bank Center, the Comets dropped a 5-3 decision to the Crunch on Wednesday night in a rare home loss for Utica. After tonight's game, they will faceoff against each other tomorrow night in Syracuse at the Upstate University Medical Arena at 7:00 P.M.
Last Game: The Crunch were defeated by a 5-3 score against the Crunch on Wednesday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Taylor Raddysh, Comets forward, registered a hattrick in the contest and goaltender Spencer Martin, made 19 saves to secure the victory. The Comets received goals from Sven Bärtschi, Nikita Alexandrov and Sam Anas but it wasn't enough to overcome an early third period goal by Raddysh.
Scouting the Crunch: Boris Katchouk currently leads the Crunch in points with (11G, 22A, 33pts). Second on the team is Taylor Raddysh (12-16-28) 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 2-3 record in five games against the Comets with a 2.20 GAA and a .927 SVPCT. Rookie forward Ryan Lohin has five goals in 10 games against Utica along with three assists.
Sam Anas Leads the Way: With a goal and an assist on Wednesday night, forward Sam Anas leads the Comets in points with 3 goals and 17 assists for 20 points in 17 games played. The multi point night on Wednesday at the Adirondack Bank Center was the seventh time this season Anas ended a game with more than one point. Only four times this year in his 17 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.
Jasek and the Rookies: Second in team scoring, forward Lukas Jasek registered 19 points (3G ,16A) thus far in the 22 games for the team this season. On Wednesday night, head coach Trent Cull discussed the line with Jasek at center with rookie wingers, Will Lockwood and Nikita Alexandrov on the wings. Cull said the combination of talent seemed to work well. An obvious benefit the night was the goal by Alexandrov created by the hard driving forecheck of Will Lockwood. Alexandrov has two goals in his first two home games this season.
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. The good news for the Comets is that of their last remaining seven games, four of them take place at home including tonight against the Syracuse Crunch.