COMETS SEARCH FOR FIRST WIN OF THE SEASON AGAINST ROCHESTER
Oct 13, 2017UTICA COMETS (0-2-0) vs. ROCHESTER AMERICANS (2-0-0)
Blue Cross Arena, 7:05 p.m.
Watch Live: AHL Live | Listen Live: 94.9 K-ROCK, Desktop or Mobile
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Tonight’s Game: The Utica Comets take on the Rochester Americans in the first meeting of the North Division rivals this season. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m.
Last Game: The Utica Comets were defeated 4-3 by the Toronto Marlies Sunday night at Ricoh Coliseum.The Comets struck first with a goal from Carter Bancks. Reid Boucher and Nikolay Goldobin picked up the assists. The Marlies answered under a minute later with a power play goal from Kerby Rychel. Timothy Liljegren gave Toronto their first lead of the game at the 19:33 mark of the first period with a power play goal. Joseph LaBate tied the game up on the power play four minutes into the second period, tipping a shot from Jordan Subban. Michael Chaput also tallied an assist on the play. Ben Smith regained Toronto’s lead with 10:43 to go in the second period, putting a rebound past Richard Bachman. With one minutes remaining in the middle frame, Alexis D’Aoust tied the game at three. Boucher and Richard Bachman tallied the assists on the power play strike. Andreas Johnsson scored the eventual game-winner with 15:43 left in the third period. Bachman finshed with 30 saves apiece.
Head-to-Head: This is the first meeting between the two squads this season. Rochester took five of eight clashes against the Comets in 2016-17. The Comets lead the all-time record with a 20-15-1 record.
Scouting the Americans: The Amerks come into tonight’s contest with a 2-0-0 record. C.J, Smith leads the waoffensivley woth three points. Goaltenders Adam Wilcox and Linus Ullmark split the first two game. Ullmark holds a 1-0-0 record with a 1.00 GAA and a .966% save percentage, while Wilcox carries a 1-0-0 record with a 1.99 GAA and a .923 save percentage.
Hot Start: The Comets’ power play has been on fire to start the season. Throught two games, the Comets are 3-8 (37.5%) on the man advantage, good for third in the league.
Early Milestone: In his second game as a pro, Alexis D’Aoust has already completed a career milestone. With a goal Sunday against Toronto, D’Aoust recorded his first professional point. The rookie forward compiled 241 points in five seasons with Shawinigan of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.
Roster Moves: The Comets signed forward Brendan Woods to a PTO yesterday. The 24-year-old has ties to the area, as his mother is from Utica and his father played for the Utica Devils in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
On The Road Again: The Comets continue their season long seven-game road trip as they roll into Blue Cross Arena tonight. The Comets went 1-2-1 in Rochester last season and are 8-9-1 all-time at Blue Cross Arena.
Next Game: The Comets are back in action tomorrow night against the Syracuse Crunch. Puck drop from the Onondaga War Memorial Arena is at 7 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.