COMETS TRAVEL EAST TO BATTLE WOLF PACK
Jan 4, 2020UTICA COMETS (20-11-2-2) vs. HARTFORD WOLF PACK (20-8-2-5)
XL Center, 7 p.m.
Watch Live: AHLTV | Listen Live: 94.9 K-ROCK
Follow and Interact Live: Twitter | Hashtag: #UTIvsHFD
Tonight’s Game: The Utica Comets hit the road to take on the Hartford Wolf Pack. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.
Last Game: It was a back and forth affair, but the Comets were unable to overcome two one-goal deficits in a 3-2 loss Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Carter Bancks and Sven Baertschi scored for Utica. Zane McIntyre made 32 saves in the loss.
Head-to-Head: This is the first contest between the Comets and Wolf Pack this season this season. The two teams split last year’s season series, with each team winning two games. Utica is 4-3-1-0 on the road and 7-6-2-1 overall in the last five years against Hartford.
Scouting the Wolf Pack: Hartford comes in with a record of 20-8-2-5 and sits in first place in the Atlantic Division. They most recently beat/lost to the Providence Bruins 3-1 last night. Vinni Lettieri leads the offense with 26 points, followed by Steven Fogarty with 23 points. Igor Sheshterkin is the leading goaltender with a record of 15-4-3, a 1.93 goals-against average, and .932 save percentage.
Road Warriors: The Comets have been a tough team to beat on the road this season. Utica has won three in a row and have earned a point in five of their last six games away from home. The Comets 11-4-0-1 on the road this year.
Point Machine: Sven Baertschi continues to pile up points. Baertschi is riding a three-game point streak, picking up four points (2-2-4). He also has 15 points (4-11-15) in his last 11 games. Overall, the forward has 31 points (8-23-31) in 23 games.
Heating Up: Wacey Hamilton has been on a roll since returning to the lineup. Hamilton has recorded at least one point in every game he’s played in since returning, including a two-point night last night. The veteran forward has eight points (3-5-8) in 18 games this season.
Wolf Hunter: Reid Boucher has played extremely well against Hartford in his career. Boucher recorded a hat trick two seasons against the Wolf Pack and has nine points (6-3-9) in his last six games against Hartford. He has 20 points (11-9-20) in 23 career games against Hartford and 40 points (20-20-40) in 30 games this year.
Next Game: The Comets return to the ice Wednesday night on the road against the Belleville Senators. Puck drop at CAA Arena is at 7 p.m. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHLTV.