January 11, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets UTICA COMETS (11-18-1-2) @ TEXAS STARS (21-10-2-3)

Cedar Park Arena, 8 p.m. EST

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets are looking to end their active three game skid as they travel to Texas to take on the Stars. The Comets are currently in the midst of the four game road swing, which concludes on Monday night in San Antonio.

When They Last Met: The Comets dropped another tight game, 2-1 against the Stars back on November 16th at The AUD. Alexandre Grenier scored Utica's lone goal, while Joacim Eriksson turned aside 21 Texas shots. Despite a 29-23 advantage in shots on net, the Comets were defeated by a strong performance from Cristopher Nilstorp, who made 28 saves. Mike Hedden and Matej Stransky each scored for Texas.

Comets Outlook: The Oklahoma City Barons defeated the Comets in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday, a 3-2 nail biter at the Cox Convention Center. The Barons scored with just four seconds left in regulation to force overtime, before ending the game just 17 seconds into the extra session. Nicklas Jensen found the back of the net twice for Utica, while goaltender Joe Cannata made 29 saves on 32 shots to earn the Comets a point.

Stars Outlook: Texas is now on the second half of a home back-to-back, after they defeated the Abbotsford Heat 5-0 last evening. Brett Richie led the way for Texas with three points (2-1-3) and Justin Dowling, Travis Morin and Francis Wathier also scored scored for the Stars. Nilstorp earned his first shutout of the season, as he saved each of Abbotsford's 28 shots on goal.

Two Nickets To Paradise: Comets winger Nicklas Jensen led the way offensively against Oklahoma City with both goals in the 3-2 overtime loss. The Danish forward was also the only Utica player to finish with a positive rating (+1). Jensen, who had just one goal prior to the game, picked up the second multi-goal game of his AHL career. The winger previously had a hat trick as a member of the Chicago Wolves on Apr. 15 against the Peoria Rivermen.

A Grand Re-Benntrance: In his first game back from the Vancouver Canucks, Benn Ferriero recorded an assist, coming on Jensen's second goal of the evening. Ferriero now ranks second on the Comets with 13 assists for the season.

Enter The Lion's Gren: With his assist against the Barons, Grenier maintained his status in third place in helpers. Grenier is tied for 14th in rookie goal scoring and has moved into a tie for 14th in points as well with 22 (10-12-22). The Laval, QC native has now collected a point in three straight games for the third time this season.

Original post:

Gameday: Comets at Stars