Ben Birnell

The Utica Comets penalty kill has recently had a rough few days.

The month started with Utica allowing one power-play goal on four opportunities to Hartford on Feb. 3. Then, the Toronto Marlies went 6 of 7 in a home-and-home series last week before Springfield added one on three chances Saturday. After stopping three Syracuse power plays Sunday, Utica is 66.7 percent on the penalty kill in the last five games.

When February began, the Comets ranked 11th in the American Hockey League with an 83 percent success rate. Entering Tuesday, the Comets ranked 21st at 80.5 percent.

I think (penalty kill) is always a focus, defenseman Chad Billins said. We just have to learn from our mistakes.

Utica (19-21-6-1 overall) takes on Toronto (24-21-3-1) in a big North Division matchup at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Comets know they have to be better against the Marlies, who are among the AHLs top power-play teams.

I dont know if we take any different approach than any other game, said Billins, a member of the Comets penalty kill unit. Obviously, we know their power-play is pretty potent.

Toronto is 14-of-35 (40 percent) against Utica this season. The Comets tied a franchise record Friday, allowing four power-play goals.

Theyve got a good power play, Comets coach Travis Green said. Theyve obviously exposed us.

Green said the Comets will make adjustments, but wont reinvent the wheel. Utica also has upcoming contests against Lehigh Valley and Albany, which has power-play units in the top half of the AHL entering Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Billins, who is in his first season with the Comets, said the team will have to remain disciplined.

Discipline is a big key in any game, but especially against (Toronto), Billins said. I think it is just important to avoid the easy calls. Taking undisciplined penalties, retaliations and stuff like that, thats when they hurt.

Gaunce back to NHL

Brendan Gaunces time with the Comets lasted four games.

The forward was officially recalled by the Vancovuer Canucks on Tuesday and joined the team in Pittsburgh in time for its game against the Penguins.

I felt I made the most of my games in Utica, Gaunce said in Pittsburgh. Im happy to be back here and looking forward (to playing with the Canucks).

The move happened because Bo Horvat is day-to-day after suffering a bone bruise after blocking a shot Sunday in Buffalo. The Canucks are also without Sven Baertschi, who recently suffered a concussion after a nasty hit from Nashvilles Cody McLeod. Entering Tuesday, Gaunce had five assists in 47 games with the Canucks this season.

Gaunce said last week he wanted to score a goal with the Comets. He did that Friday his first since April 16, 2016 while also adding an assist. He also scored in the Comets win Saturday. Gaunce, who also spent time on the team's power-play unit, played on a line with Carter Bancks and Wacey Hamilton.

In his return to the Comets, the 26-year-old seemed to play with confidence.

I thought (Gaunce) was good, Green said. He had a lot of pop in his game. It was probably good for him to get a lot of puck touches and score a goal. Well see what happens.

Making progress

The Comets are 1-5-1-1 in the last eight games. It is part of what has been an up-and-down season for Utica.

Six of those eight games were decided by a single goal. And Toronto added empty-netters, making two games closer than the scores might've appeared. Green has recently seemed pleased with the teams effort.

Im not happy that we havent won games. But, Im really happy with the way were playing, said Green, whose team is winless in its last five home games. Ive really loved our game since the All-Star break. But, in saying that we have to find a way to win.

With 28 regular-season games remaining, the Comets are six pointsbehind fourth-placeToronto in the division. The top four teams in the division make the playoffs. Including last weekends three-in-three, the Comets play 10 contests in 16 days.

I think the biggest key is just not to get too high or too low, get some points and stick to the process, Billins said.

Roll call

Pascal Pelletier, who didnt play in the third period Sunday, is day-to-day with a lower-body injury, Green said. The 33-year-old forward was injured near the end of the second period against the Syracuse Crunch. He did not practice Tuesday.

Joseph LaBate, who has missed the last 17 games with an upper-body injury, practiced Tuesday in a normal jersey. He could return to the lineup soon.

Hes close, Green said of LaBate, who is in his second full pro season.

Forward Derek Hulak (27 consecutive games) and defenseman John Negrin (15 consecutive games) remain week-to-week, according to Green.

New addition

Comets defenseman Colby Robak and his wife, Colleen, became new parents Tuesday.

The couple named their son Cayson Arthur Robak. Everyone appears to be doing well.

The 26-year-old Robak, who wasnt at practice Tuesday, told the O-D that Colleen found the name Cayson while perusing the social media website Pinterest.

Asked if he had given Robak any parenting advice, Green smiled and laughed.

Not yet, said Green, who has three kids.

Follow @OD_Birnell on Twitter or call him at 315-792-5032.

Excerpt from:

Comets' penalty kill aims to be better - Utica Observer Dispatch