Ben Birnell

UTICA A former Utica Comets player provided a possible explanation for what has been helping Darren Archibald this season.

Brandon DeFazio, who played with the Utica Comets and Archibald during the franchises first two seasons in Utica, joked recently on the social media site Twitter that a well-known Italian chain restaurant might be part of the reason for some of the success the Newmarket, Ontario, native has had this season.

"(Archibald) must be eating @OliveGarden," tweeted DeFazio, who is a member of the Dallas Stars organization this season.

Whatever Archibald who turns 27 on Thursday is eating this season, it seems to be working for the Comets left winger in his fifth professional season.

It is a pleasant surprise for the Comets in a season filled with numerousups and downs.

With a power-play goal from in front in the first-period of Tuesdays 4-2 loss against Toronto, Archibald became the teams leader in goals while playing in his 300th career regular season game in the American Hockey League. The goal on the man-advantage was his second in as many games and is notable because Archibald, who has also been a key member of the teams 16th-ranked penalty kill this season, had zero power-play goals in 224 previous regular-season games with the Comets. Hes also found chemistry playing a majority of the season with Curtis Valk.

His career-best 15th goal is another milestone this season for Archibald, who also has career-bests in assists (15) and points (30) while playing in each of the teams 45 games. Hes also been a stranger to the penalty box, totaling 25 minutes with a lone fight major. By comparison, he had 96 penalty minutes in 51 regular-season games in an injury-shortened 2015-16 season.

It is all part of how Comets coach Travis Green has said Archibalds game has grown this season.

When Archibald signed an American Hockey League deal with Comets in July to play in Utica for a fourth season, the reaction among fans on social media seemed to be mixed. There were those who were obviously happy about Archibald returning to the fold hes a favorite among Mohawk Valley hockey fans because for his physical presence over the past few seasons. There were some who wondered how much a help he could provided.

Recently, a small group of Comets fans have been chanting Archibalds name late in close games at the Utica Memorial Auditorium in hopes of seeing another. Hes done it three times this season, most recently against Syracuse on Jan. 11. Before this season, he hadnt scored any winning goals in 266 regular-season games.

With the Comets (18-19-6-2) in a tight battle for the fourth spot in the North Division fifth-place Utica is three points back of Toronto heading into Fridays game between the teams at the Aud will continue to need Archibalds spark with 31 remaining games.

Perhaps more Italian food is the answer.

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

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Column: Archibald's strong season continues for Comets - Utica Observer Dispatch