COMETS RETURN HOME TO BATTLE PENGUINS
Apr 12, 2019UTICA COMETS (32-33-6-2) vs. WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS (35-28-7-3)
Adirondack Bank Center, 7 p.m.
Watch Live: AHLTV | Listen Live: 94.9 K-ROCK
Follow and Interact Live: Twitter | Hashtag: #WBSvsUTI
Tonight’s Game: The Utica Comets take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
Last Game: The Utica Comets were provided a 23-save performance from Ivan Kulbakov and a goal from Vincent Arseneau, but they couldn’t overcome the timely attack of the Providence Bruins during a 3-1 loss on Sunday at Dunkin Donuts Center.
Head-to-Head: This is the second and final meeting between the Comets and Penguins this season. Utica won the lone matchup 3-2 in overtime back on February 16. Utica is 2-1-1-0 in the last five seasons at home against the Penguins.
Scouting the Penguins: Wilkes-Barre/Scranton comes in with a record of 35-28-7-3 and sits in sixth place in the Atlantic Division. They most recently fell to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms 10-6 last Sunday. Ethan Prow leads the offense with 49 points, followed by Ryan Haggerty with 44 points. Tristan Jarry is the top goaltender with a record of 23-15-8, a 2.66 goals-against average, and a .915 save percentage.
Making An Impact: Aaron Thow has been a solid addition to the Comets lineup since joining the team on an ATO last week. The defenseman has one assist in three games while playing big minutes (as well as special teams.) The rookie blue-liner had 52 points (15-37-52) in 144 games at Clarkson University.
High Powered: Tanner Kero has been lethal on the power play this season. Kero leads the Comets with 22 points on the power play. His 11 power play goals also leads Utica and puts him in a tie with Pascal Pelletier and Alexandre Grenier for the most power play goals in one season in team history. Overall, the forward has 54 points (24-30-54) in 64 games this year.
Finding A Groove: Stefan LeBlanc is finding a nice rhythm on offense. LeBlanc has picked up an assist in back-to-back games and has three points in his last six games from the blue line. Overall, the defenseman has 13 points (0-13-13) in 39 games between the Comets and Toronto Marlies this season.
Stay Hot: Wacey Hamilton has performed well against the Penguins in the last two seasons. Hamilton has recorded at least one point in three straight games dating back to last season against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, picking up six points (0-6-6) total during those games. Overall this season, the forward has nine points (1-8-9) in 20 games.
Next Game: The Comets are back at it tomorrow night as they hit the road take on the Hershey Bears. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL TV.