March 28, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL) Utica Comets ABBOTSFORD HEAT (35-24-5-2) @ UTICA COMETS (29-28-3-4)

Utica Memorial Auditorium, 7 pm

Radio: 94.9 K-Rock

Tonight's Game: The Utica Comets remain in pursuit of the final playoff position in the Western Conference as the Abbotsford Heat come to the Mohawk Valley tonight for the first of two games. Utica has won seven of nine entering this evening's action.

When They Last Met: The Comets earned a 3-1 victory over the Heat in their final game of the season in Abbotsford, back on Mar. 15. Colin Stuart picked up a pair of goals, while Brandon DeFazio also scored and center Alex Friesen collected two assists. Goaltender Joacim Eriksson picked up the victory with 38 saves on 39 shots.

Comets Outlook: The Comets pulled out a 3-0 shutout in Milwaukee on Feb. 7, led by 21 saves from Joacim Eriksson and two goals from Darren Archibald. Defenseman Kent Huskins also scored for the Comets. For Eriksson, the shutout was his fourth of the season, which, at the time, moved him to second in the AHL in that category. Marek Mazanec made 28 saves on 31 shots in defeat.

Heat Outlook: The Heat defeated the Marlies on Sunday afternoon by a 3-2 scoreline Ricoh Coliseum. Trevor Smith (1-1-2) and Peter Holland (0-2-2) led the way with two points apiece, while Carter Ashton and Jerry D'Amigo also scored. Corey Locke and Zachery Davies each scored for Abbotsford in defeat. Garret Sparks was victorious with 31 saves, while Joni Ortio took the loss with 26 saves on 29 shots.

Here Come The Comets: Since Jan. 18, the Comets have been the AHL's second highest producing team with 38 points, courtesy of an 18-7-2 record. Utica, which trails just St. John's in both wins and points during that span, has moved into sole possession of 11th place in the Western Conference, six points shy of the final playoff position with three games in hand.

Calice In Wonderland: Center Cal O'Reilly has been one of the AHL's finest players since he returned from injury on Feb. 21. The Toronto native has the most assists in the league (15) since that date, padded by his helper on Saturday. That tally pushed him one ahead of Oklahoma City's Marc Arcobello.

Tenacious D-eFazio: Comets winger Brandon DeFazio had points in each of Utica's three games this past weekend, which gives him points in six of seven overall (5-1-6). The grizzly winger has now set career highs in both goals (14) and points (27) and is one helper off of his career best of 14.

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Gameday: Comets vs Abbotsford