utica comets – Page 6 – CanucksBanter

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By Andrew Chernoff

November 19 2016

The Utica Comets (4-9-1-0) take on division rivals Rochester Americans (7-7-0-1) tonight at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

The Comets are nearing the end of their 6 game homestand, and are currently 2-2-0-0, with both wins coming in overtime, 3-2 and 5-4.

COMETS IN NEED OF WINS

Utica are tied for 6th place in the North division with 9 points after 14 games, 6 points behind Rochester, in 5th place with 15 points.

Last Game: The Utica Comets came back from three goals down at home last night, to win in overtime 5-4 over the Springfield Thunderbirds, on Darren Archibald’s second overtime marker in the last 3 games.

Comets goalie, Thatcher Demko stopped 27 of 31 shots, to earn his second professional game victory.

VIRTANEN BACK IN THE HOUSE

Earlier in the week, Jake Virtanen was reassigned to the Comets, after returning to Vancouver after playing two games with Utica last weekend.

Virtanen had success with Darren Archibald and Curtis Valk in his second game last weekend. In 3 games, he has 7 shots, with no goals or assists.

VA-VOOM

Valk and Archibald, ” have had a hand in nine of the Comets las 10 goals the past three games. In that span, Valk has collected three multi-point games, including two three-point games, while Darren Archibald has collected two multi-point efforts and two game-winning overtime goals.”, according to the Utica Comets website.

HOMESTAND TO CONCLUDE

The Comets six game homestand ends, November 23, with a visit from the Syracuse Crunch.

VANCOUVER, BC - NOVEMBER 2: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks hits Brayden Schenn #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers during their NHL game at Rogers Arena November 2, 2015 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 4-1. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images) — VANCOUVER, BC – NOVEMBER 2: Jake Virtanen #18 of the Vancouver Canucks hits Brayden Schenn #10 of the Philadelphia Flyers during their NHL game at Rogers Arena November 2, 2015 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver won 4-1. (Photo by Jeff Vinnick/NHLI via Getty Images)

Nov 13, 2016

Written by Don Laible

15 games into the NHL season, and the Vancouver Canucks dispatched Jake Virtanen to Utica for a two-game stint. Two years ago, as the sixth overall pick in the NHL draft, Virtanen was seen as a vital part to the organization’s future.

Q: Last year you were with the Comets for two games. What was it like making a return to where you made your pro hockey debut?
A: The fans here are great. What a great atmosphere. I had a nice welcome back.

Q: Does knowing you’re in Utica for two games only, and then heading back to Vancouver, make it easier in how you approach your stay here?
A: I take every game serious. I just want to be ready for the team at all times.

Q: When did you get the word that you were Utica-bound?
A: We (Canucks) were in Detroit. I wasn’t getting a lot of minutes. I came back to find my mojo.

Q: You’re 20-year-old, playing in the NHL, for one of six Canadian-based franchises. Do you get to feel like like a 20-year-old?
A: We’re (NHL players) not your ordinary 20-year-olds. We’re kids away from home, and everyone notices you.

Q: How do you keep the pressure off of you?
A: There’s good pressure and there’s bad pressure. You have the the responsibility to do what’s right, and battle the bad. There will always be adversity in hockey.

Q: When you knew you were coming to Utica, did you seek advice from your family?
A: For sure. My parents are really supportive. I speak to my dad everyday. My brother, he used to play hockey. I talk with him. They tell me that the key, right now, is to do good down here. I have to get my minutes in here Utica and take what I learned back to Vancouver.

Q: How do you sum up this year’s Canucks team?
A: We have a good leadership group. Everybody stays positive. Wille (Desjardins) is a great coach. You have great leadership here (Utica). Carter Bancks, you can’t get better.

Q: Two years ago, during the Calder Cup run, you and Jared McCann (Canucks’ other first-round selection in ’14) were here. He’s with the Panthers now, and you Vancouver. Do you two talk?
A: No, not much. I heard he scored his first goal and had his first assist recently. Congratulations for him.

Source: Sunday Q&A with Jake Virtanen | Utica Comets Official Website