February 26, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE (23-23-3-5) @ UTICA COMETS (22-24-3-4)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 7 pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets return home following a four game road swing, which saw the team claim six of a possible eight points. The Comets host the San Antonio Rampage for both the first time in franchise history and the only time this season. Tonight marks the first of a stretch with four games out of five played at The AUD.

When They Last Met: The Utica Comets peppered the San Antonio Rampage's net all night, but Jacob Markstrom stopped all but two of the Comets 36 shots, including all five in the shootout, to lead his team to a 3-2 victory on Jan. 13. Winger Nicklas Jensen scored both Utica goals, while Mathieu Corbeil turned aside 21 of the 23 shots he faced.

Comets Outlook: A weary Utica Comets squad put in a valiant effort in their third game in as many nights, but came up just short in a 2-1 defeat to the Albany Devils. Jeremy Welsh found the back of the net with Utica's lone goal, as the Comets dropped to 22-24-3-4 for the campaign. Winger Darren Archibald and defenseman Frank Corrado picked up the assists on the play. Joe Cannata, who was vying for his fourth consecutive victory, made 26 saves on 28 shots but took the regulation loss despite several point blank stops.

Rampage Outlook: The Rampage dropped a 3-1 decision to the Hamilton Bulldogs on Sunday at the FirstOntario Centre. Martin St. Pierre scored twice for Hamilton, while Quinton Howden scored the lone goal for San Antonio. Dustin Tokarski picked up the win with 31 saves on 32 shots, while Jacob Markstrom was the loser with 28 stops. The loss marked just the third time over the past 19 games that the Rampage had failed to record a point.

Nicking And Screaming: Winger Nicklas Jensen remains on a tear during the month of February, with two goals over Utica's three games this weekend. Jensen has amassed eight goals during February, the most on Utica's roster. Jensen also surpassed Colin Stuart and Benn Ferriero for the team lead with six power-play goals.

It's Always Erikssony In Utica: Goaltender Joacim Eriksson won his third straight start with a 25 save effort against the Binghamton Senators on Saturday. Eriksson has now held his opposition to two goals or less in 13 of his past 18 starts. Amongst all netminders in the AHL with more than 30 games played, the Galve, Sweden ranks tenth with a .914 save percentage.

Can Do Attitude: Netminder Joe Cannata saw a three game winning streak snapped on Sunday in Albany. Cannata has recorded a .954 save percentage over his past four starts, with 126 saves on 132 shots faced. The Wakefield, MA native tied his AHL career high in victories last Sunday in Toronto.

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Gameday: Comets vs. San Antonio