COMETS BATTLE CRUNCH LIVE ON WPNY

Apr 28, 2021

Tonight's Game: Coming off a loss on Sunday afternoon against the Syracuse Crunch, the Comets step back into the Adirondack Bank Center for the next two games out of their last 10 this season. The Comets were defeated by the streaking Crunch who have now won their last five games. Entering tonight's contest, the Comets have 21 points in 18 games played as they rest in the fourth spot of the North Division of the Eastern Conference. Ranked by winning percentage, the Comets .583 is one spot below the .646 of tonight's opponent, the Crunch. 

Last Game: In many ways, it was a game to forget last Sunday in Syracuse as the Comets dropped a 7-1 game on the road. It marked the first time all season head coach Trent Cull pulled one of his netminder are Joel Hofer night was spelled after giving up five goals in less than two periods. Despite coming out to a 1-0 lead when Sven Bärtschi scored on a breakaway early in the first period, the Comets were unable to garner any momentum and Syracuse would go on to score seven straight on both Hofer and Evan Fitzpatrick. The Crunch received two goals from defenseman Lucas Carlsson, a pair of goals from forward Ryan Lohin, the first professional goal by University of Minnesota Duluth product Cole Koepke and as defenseman Henry Bowlby.  

Scouting the Crunch: Boris Katchouk leads the Comets in scoring with 11 goals and 18 assists for 29 points in 23 games while holding a 14 game point streak. During the streak, he has 10 goals and 14 assists. He was also named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week. Centerman Otto Sommpi is second on the team with 23 points (10G, 13A) in 24 games played. Taylor Raddysh, who has three goals and six assists in eight games against the Comets is third on the Crunch with nine goals, 14 assists for 23 points in 20 games and is currently on an 11 game point streak. Forward Ryan Lohin leads the rookies in scoring with 17 games played compiling five goals and four assists for nine points. On the blueline, the team is paced by Sean Day who leads in points with three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 22 games. Crunch goalies Spencer Martin and Samuel Montembeault have victories this season against the Comets with Martin winning the last two contests. 

Mike DiPietro Returns: Recently reassigned by Vancouver from the Canucks Taxi Squad, Mike DiPietro is poised to return to the Comets crease. DiPietro spent the 2019-20 season with Utica, posting a 2.79 GAA and a .908 SV% over 36 games as a rookie. He boasted a 21-11-2 record in goal for the Comets. A native of Windsor, Ontario, DiPietro was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by Vancouver. He has since played 2 NHL games including one in the 19-20 campaign. DiPietro is a product of the OHL, having spent four seasons with the Windsor Spitfires and 17 games with the Ottawa 67’s. He was also a member of team Canada at the 2019 World Junior Championships.

Anas Gets His First Comets Goal: Despite leading the team in points this season, Sam Anas needed 13 games to finally score a goal. In Rochester last weekend, not only did Anas score his first goal of the season, he also added another one for a two goal night. The two goals scored last Friday marked the sixth time this season Anas registered a two point night. He currently leads the team in points with 16 (2G, 14A) in 13 games played.