Game on: Comets bond through TV show – Utica Observer Dispatch

UTICA Comets, come on down!

No, they arent the next contestants on the "The Price is Right," but a handful of Comets players have developed a ritual of getting together to watch the longtime game show.

The teammates spend many mornings bonding over the show before showcasing their own talents in showdowns against opposing American Hockey League teams.

"Obviously, we goof around and try to guess the price of the stuff and whats going to go on," said Lind, who is in the middle of an impressive standout second season with the Comets. "It is kind of cool that we have a TV show that we all watch together and can bond over, too."

The good-natured get-together among the 20-somethings isnt new this season, it extends back at least a couple years. A small group of Comets congregate around a TV at Aqua Vino Restaurant. The eatery is one of three managed by the Mohawk Valley Garden group, which is headed by Comets President Rob Esche.

In addition to Lind, the informal club includes Justin Bailey, Sven Baertschi, Dylan Blujus and Vincent Arseneau. Nikolay Goldobin also sometimes joins the group.

Theres a fair bit of banter between the players during the 60-minute show as they battle for bragging rights by correctly guessing the prices during the games.

"I just wing it. A couple guys will say $850 and Ill say $900," Bailey said with a smile following Tuesdays practice. "We just watch and try to guess what it is going to be and who is going to win. Just little things like that."

Bailey said he enjoys getting together with the other guys away from the rink and said he probably wouldnt watch the show outside of the group. Though, Lind who has been a frequent linemate of Baileys this season said the speedy forward gets into the show more than he might let on.

So, who among the group is the best at correctly guessing the prices?

"Me," Lind said jokingly. "It is all luck to be honest with you. (Bailey) is the worst, for sure."

Bailey noted that while it is a small group that watches the show, he believes the team as a whole is tight-knit this season.

That mindset along with an assortment of skilled players has helped the Comets (22-13-2-2 overall) remain near the top of a tight North Division. Entering a two-game challenge against Atlantic Division-leading Hartford, the Comets are in second place in the North and one point back of Belleville. The top five teams in the division are separated by five points. The Comets play seven games in the next nine days before the All-Star break.

"Ive been really proud of our players," said Comets coach Trent Cull, whose team is 6-3-1-0 in the last 10 games. "It is great that weve had some success, but I dont think anybody is getting too carried away with that. You see how tight our division is (with) how a good weekend puts you in good standing and a poor weekend puts you out of the playoffs. It is a tough division to play."

Things got a little more interesting Tuesday. Comets General Manager Ryan Johnson said forward Wacey Hamilton is out six to eight weeks with a broken foot after blocking a shot last weekend against Belleville. Baertschi (ankle sprain) is also not expected to play this week, leaving the Comets without two veterans who have recently helped form the top line with leading scorer Reid Boucher. The Comets are 18-5-1-2 with Baertschi in the lineup and 4-8-1-0 without him.

While Arseneau (lower-body) appears set to return from injury against Hartford, Blujus (chest) could be a possibility for the weekend. Seamus Malone (who participated Tuesday in a non-contact jersey) could return soon while Dyson Stevenson (ankle) and Francis Perron (eye) remain out. Perron wont return until after the All-Star break, Johnson said.

"We have to make sure as a staff were steady as she goes and try to better our group. Weve talked a lot about getting better every day," Cull said.

Richard Bachmans gear is going green. pic.twitter.com/A21eqztWVZ