CRUNCH BRAVE STORM TO FACE COMETS
 
The Syracuse Crunch wrap up a home-and-home series against the Utica Comets this afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center. 
 
The Crunch earned a 6-3 win over the Comets last night in Syracuse to improve to 7-2-0-0 in the season series. The teams have split four contests in Utica.
 
BROADCAST COVERAGE
 
Countdown to Crunch Time at 2:45 p.m.
Streaming: Pay-to-watch video via AHLTV on FloHockey | www.syracusecrunch.com/watch
Radio: ESPN Radio Syracuse | www.espncny.com
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
The Crunch improved to 5-0-0-0 on home ice against the Comets with a 6-3 win last night at Upstate Medical University Arena.
 
Mitchell Chaffee and Ethan Gauthier tallied goals in the first period to give the Crunch a 2-0 lead heading into the second period. The teams combined for four goals in the frame with the Crunch stretching the lead to 4-1 at one point following goals from Matteo Pietroniro and Dylan Duke.
 
After the Comets pulled within 4-3, Brendan Furry buried a pair of empty-net goals to seal the Crunch's fourth straight win, which matches a season-high.
 
FURRY'S GOT THEIR NUMBER
 
Forward Brendan Furry logged his second multi-point outing against the Comets in as many games with his two-goal effort last night. It was also the second time this season he potted two goals in a game against the Comets (also Nov. 25).
 
Furry has scored seven goals and nine points in nine games against Utica this season. He leads all players in the season series in goals and ranks fourth in points. Seven of his nine goals overall this season have come against the Comets. He has 18 points (9g. 9a) in 40 games.
 
SCOUTING THE COMETS
 
With losses to Rochester and Syracuse already this weekend, Utica looks to salvage a win to close out a three-in-three weekend. This season, the Comets have posted 29 points in 38 games (11-20-4-3) and are in last place in the North Division.
 
Brian Halonen leads Utica with 13 goals this season. The 27-year-old forward recorded his second two-goal game of the season last night and has scored five times against the Crunch this year. Fellow forward Xavier Parent has also been an offensive force for the Comets. Parent notched two assists last night to improve to 19 points (8g, 11a) this season. He and defenseman Seamus Casey (1g, 18a) are tied for the Utica scoring lead among active players.
 
Likely starter Jakub Málek has posted a 5-7-1 record with a 2.78 goals-against average and .892 save percentage this season. In his last start against the Crunch, the rookie recorded a 15-save shutout on Jan. 9. He is 5-3-0 with a 2.08 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage since the start of December. 
 
PIETRONIRO'S CAREER DAY
 
Defenseman Matteo Pietroniro had the finest offensive day of his career last night. Pietroniro notched one goal and one assist in the second period, and then he added an assist in the third period for his first career three-point game.
 
The 27-year-old now leads Crunch defensemen in scoring with 15 points. He has established new career-highs in goals (5), assists (10) and points (15) in 34 games this season. His plus-16 rating is also tied for the best mark on the team with Jakob Pelletier. 
 
CONOR'S COOKING
 
Forward Connor Geekie has been on a tear for the Crunch. Last night, Geekie registered three assists – his seventh multi-point game of the season. The 21-year-old from Strathclair, Manitoba, is also riding a four-game point streak. It's his fourth streak of at least four games this season.
 
Geekie is also heading to the AHL All-Star Classic presented by BMO on Feb. 10-11 in Rockford, Ill., for the first time in his career. He ranks third on the Crunch with 35 points (11g, 24a). He has 14 points (4g, 10a) in nine games against the Comets to lead all scorers in the season series.