The Utica Comets are playing the role of hosts in an afternoon game today against the visiting Binghamton Senators. This is the final contest of a three in three weekend for the Senators as they have split the first two on home ice and look to go out victorious on the road.
(18-21-5-1, 42 pts) 5th in East Division
@
(27-12-5-1, 60 pts) 1st in North Division
3:00 PM
Utica Memorial Auditorium
RADIO: 96.9 FM, 680 AM. AHL Live
MATCH-UP HISTORY
The Comets have won two out of three played featuring the latest a 1-0 shutout back on Nov 5th in Utica.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jacob Markstrom, UTI – The 2015 AHL All-Star netminder is tied for 3rd in the league sporting a 1.98 GAA. His 14-5-2-1 record in 21 appearances features 4 shutouts and has a blistering 0.932 SV%. Utica is a tough team to beat as the other part of the Swedish tandem in goal is SEL Champion Joacim Eriksson.
Fredrik Claesson, BNG – Having a quiet season can sometimes be beneficial as Claesson has been a rock on the defense and still shows his physical side with throwing the occasional hip check here and there. Still a force on Binghamton’s blue line as he’s in his last season of a three-year entry-level contract.
THREE KEYS TO THE GAME
1. Beating Utica on Home Ice – The Senators have their work cut out for them today as Utica is 14-5-3-0 at the AUD while Binghamton’s road record is 8-13-1-0, but it’s been done as the Sens won back on Oct 31st in OT in Utica.
2. Tough Guy Max McCormick – In his first professional season he leads all rookies in PIM with 104 and is tied for 3rd with 8 majors. His gritty play and hustle is what makes him stand out and has also seen action on the PK.
3. Matt Puempel Struggles?? – Last season’s 30 goal scorer hasn’t quite panned out as he is currently stuck with 11. Perhaps trying to add a more rounded effort this season as he has 17 assists in his 45 games, one below his season total of 18 in 2013-’14.
B-SENS TWEET OF THE GAME
Best of luck to @MiamiOH_Hockey boys! Big outdoor game vs W Mich at Soldier Field! I got my RED on! pic.twitter.com/lWaS05f9AH
— Chris Wideman (@Chris_Wideman) February 7, 2015
*Cover Art Courtesy of SenShot’s Graphic Artist Matt Trayling