January 31, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets UTICA COMETS (15-20-2-4) vs. SYRACUSE CRUNCH (17-19-2-4)

MIX 102.5""s "Pink the Rink' Night brought to you by GPO Federal Credit Union

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 7 p.m.

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Comets host the Syracuse Crunch for the second time this season as the second of their three game homestand. Utica has amassed a point in five straight games entering tonight's action, dating back to Jan. 18 against Hamilton.

When They Last Met: The Comets earned their first point of the season in a 2-1 shootout loss to the Crunch at The AUD. Colin Stuart scored Utica's only goal, while Comet netminder Joacim Eriksson stole the show with 32 saves on 33 shots. Syracuse winger Nikita Kucherov scored the lone goal in regulation for the Crunch. Benn Ferriero beat Syracuse goaltender Cedric Desjardins in the shootout, but the Crunch were victorious in six rounds as Cedric Paquette potted the game winner. Desjardins finished with 19 saves through 65 minutes of play and saved five of six in the shootout.

Comets Outlook: The Utica Comets forced their third straight game to overtime, but failed to extend their winning streak to five games as they dropped a 3-2 shootout decision to the Lake Erie Monsters. Forward Benn Ferriero improved his scoring streak to nine games with a goal and an assist, while Patrick Mullen also lit the lamp for the Comets. AHL Player of the Week Joacim Eriksson turned aside 34 of 36 shots as he earned his team a point for the eighth time in his past nine starts.

Crunch Outlook: The Crunch dropped a 4-0 decision against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Wednesday evening at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Eric Hartzell turned aside all 20 Crunch shots he faced on the evening. Penguin captain Tom Kostopolous led the way offensively for the Penguins with a goal and an assist, while defenseman Simon Despres added two assists of his own. Paul Thompson, Harry Zolnierczyk and Denver Manderson also scored for WBS. Goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis made 21 saves in a losing effort for Syracuse.

The Tooth Ferri: Winger Benn Ferriero has recorded points in each of his last nine games, dating back to Jan. 9 against Oklahoma City. Ferriero, remains in possession of the longest active scoring streak in the AHL, four games shy of Vladislav Namestnikov's season long streak of 13 games. The Essex, MA native has collected 12 points (6-6-12) over his current run.

Sanford and Eriksson: CCM/AHL Player of the Week Joacim Eriksson has earned points for Utica in eight of his past nine starts, including seven victories. The Galve, Sweden native is now over .500 for the season at 11-10-1-2. Eriksson has amassed a .940 save percentage and a 1.74 goals against average over his past nine appearances.

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Gameday: Comets vs Syracuse