REVENGE IN ROCHESTER
Apr 7, 2017UTICA COMETS (34-28-9) vs. ROCHESTER AMERICANS (30-39-2)
Blue Cross Arena, 7:05 p.m.
Watch Live: AHL Live | Listen Live: 94.9 K-ROCK, Desktop or Mobile
Follow and Interact Live: Twitter | Hashtag: #WePlayForU
Tonight’s Game: The Utica Comets look to avenge the 5-2 loss last week at the Blue Cross Arena. It is the final meeting between the North Division rivals this season. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
Last Game: The Utica Comets defeated the Toronto Marlies by a score of 3-1 last night. Joseph LaBate struck first, tipping a shot from Colby Robak on the power play. Chad Billins also picked up an assist on the only goal of the first period. Cody Kunyk extended the lead to 2-0 with a power play strike of his own. Darren Archibald and Alexandre Grenier tallied the assists. Mike Sislo cut the lead to 2-1 with a goal on the man advantage just six minutes into the final period. Wacey Hamilton potted the empty net goal to seal the victory. Thatcher Demko finished with 24 saves to improve his record to 22-14-6.
Head-to-Head: The Amerks lead the season series 4-3-0 but the Comets won the most recent matchup by a score of 5-3 a week ago. Cole Schneider leads all scorers in the season series with seven points. The Amerks have outscored the Comets 19-15 through seven games.
Scouting the Americans: The Americans come in with a .437 points percentage and sit in sixth place in the North Division. They are coming off of a 3-2 loss to the Hershey Bears last night but are 6-4-0 in their last 10 games. Cole Schneider leads the team offensively with 59 points, good for seventh in the league. Goaltender Linus Ullmark was recently recalled to the Buffalo Sabres.
Coaching Milestone: Tonight’s contest will be the 300th professional game coached by Head Coach Travis Green. Green has coached all 300 games with the Comets and holds a 154-106-39 record during his tenure.
Power Surge: With a goal on the man advantage last night, the Comets have scored at least one power play goal in four consecutive games. The Comets are 6-24 in their last five games overall.
Check It Off: Wacey Hamilton has achieved a new career high. Hamilton’s empty net goal last night was his ninth of the season, breaking his previous high of eight set last season. Hamilton has tallied 18 points this season and needs two points to tie a career high. In 2013-14, he amassed 20 points with the Binghamton Senators.
Back On Track: After dropping two consecutive starts, Thatcher Demko has rebounded nicely to start the month of April. Demko is 3-0-0 in his last three starts with a .935 save percentage and a 1.95 goals against average over that timespan.
Next Game: The Comets are back in action tomorrow afternoon against the St. John’s IceCaps. Puck drop from the Utica Memorial Auditorium is at 3 p.m. Fans are encouraged to utilize the ticket exchange website, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL Live.