Ben Birnell
@BB_URSentinel
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Sentinel Media Co. @ur315Sports guy • Maria's husband • Emma's unc/godfather • MN native • St. Cloud State alum • Ellery Award recipient • bbirnell @RNYmedia .com
Utica/Rome/Mohawk Valley, NY
Joined August 2015
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Happened to see this on Riley Tufte’s IG.
For Adam Johnson. 🏒
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Is that Henry Rowengartner?
This dude caught Giancarlo Stanton’s dinger in the green monster, chucked it back and hit him rounding second. Legendary.
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Are we absolutely certain this isn’t a scene from Letterkenny?
Kevin Hayes laughs at Brendan Lemieux, who then gets chirped mercilessly by Travis Konecny and Scott Laughton.
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Alexander Holtz just out here breaking up a shorthanded scoring chance with a block
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With two assists Wednesday, Brogan Rafferty has 24 points in 29 games.
He leads all AHL defensemen in points.
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Dan MacKinnon on the Comets Insider radio show says Alex Holtz “expressed a desire to come down and play games with Utica” after asking for a meeting with Tom Fitzgerald and MacKinnon
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First AHL goal for Colton Saucerman
(I wasn’t able to snap a pic in time of him biting the puck. That was incredible.)
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Baertschi on adjustment to AHL: "It is a tough one to swallow. ... But, I knew I was coming to a great place. So, it it was something I was looking forward to. For me, it was coming here making a statement I belong in the NHL. That was my goal. So far, I think it is going well."
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On her podcast, Willman’s fiancée,
Gretchen, says Max has a broken sternum and “a couple ribs” stemming from this hit.
She mentions a hospital visit and was told “you really only see this kind of injury in car accidents.”
As previously reported, Willman is out for rest of season
TOR’s Pietroniro has a very dumb hot on Willman, who left with trainer.
He got a 5-minute charging majors
Legare then dropped the gloves and got instigating.
Okie doke.
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Simon Nemec goes the net (!) Scores from one knee in front (!)
Oh my.
Nemo scores for the third consecutive game.
His ninth of the season.
Comets within 3-2.
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The trade is one for one.
.
@Josh_Teves4
went to
@Princeton
so he knows a good deal when he sees one. One puck for one
@SwedishFish
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Have a story running later about Alex Holtz and his first half of his AHL season.
I asked him about playing for Kevin Dineen.
Holtz: “He is, I would say, the best coach I ever had."
"Small things he tells me all the time, and I take in what he says," Holtz said.
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The Adirondack Bank Center is lit gold and green in honor of
#HumboldtStrong
The ABC sign also changes from green to gold
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Baertschi on Utica return: I wasn't happy being sent down. I'm not sure exactly the reason. ... What do you next? You have to find that motivation again. At this point, I'm fighting for my career. I want to get back to NHL as quick as possible. I have to show and it play well
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Here’s Olli Juolevi and the pronunciation of his name, for those interested
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Well, it was fun seeing Schmid playing in Utica.
Nice kid, couldn’t be happier for him.
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Reilly Walsh on Akira Schmid’s play with the
#njdevils
: I think it speaks volumes to our goaltending especially (in Utica).
… he earns his role as a backup. Then he all he does is wait for his chance. He’s just doing what he does. The Devils have rallied around him.
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Looks like Thatcher Demko has another homage to Will Ferrell on a helmet back plate
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Kevin Dineen says on Comets Insider Monday that Tyce Thompson and Jesper Boqvist have been called up
Thompson: 4 goals in last 3 games. 3rd overall for Comets in pts
Boqvist: 2 goals, 4 assists in last 3. He’s 2nd in team pts
Thats other side of Gauthier and Studenic sent down
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Asked Comets coach Kevin Dineen about Alex Holtz’s play Friday.
He was candid in his assessment.
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I forgot that Yanni Gourde was on the Utica Comets' training camp roster in 2013.
He was among the early cuts.
Went on to big things with Syracuse and now had obvious success with Tampa.
Wild.
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Looked it up to make sure:
Alex Holtz's 50 points are a Comets' rookie record.
That's it. That's the tweet.
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#tbt
to that time two years ago Thatcher Demko found an unconventional place for a goalie siesta.
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Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith are no longer listed as limited partners of the New Jersey Devils on the team’s website
🚨
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So, I’ve got some personal news: I made the decision to depart the O-D after nearly 11 years.
Today is my last day.
That said, I’m staying in the Utica area and writing about sports:
I’ve accepted a role with Sentinel Media Co. This account will remain active.
I start next week
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Nikolay Goldobin likes the idea of playing with Gaudette and MacEwen anyway
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Thatcher Demko's last 11 starts:
10-1-0
1.45 GAA
0.951 SV%
2 shutouts
He's allowed 2 or fewer goals in 9 of 11 starts.
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ABC at UMA in Utica is purple and gold in honor of Kobe Bryant and others
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"There's no rushing" Simon Nemec.
And,
#NJDevils
have "big plans" for Nolan Foote.
On two Utica Comets players who could snag roles with the NHL club next season
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Kole Lind sporting the “retro” Comets logo Tuesday.
Comets will wear jerseys Saturday with this logo and color scheme.
He called the look “sick” and wants to get one of his own.
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OH MY GAWD.
Syracuse pulls the goalie for a 6x3 advantage.
Ryan Schmelzer says "YEET!"
Tie game.
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Sven Baertschi: “I just have to grind this out. I’m going to make the most of it. I know the (Comets) coaching staff is supportive and want to get me up (to the NHL) as quickly as possible."
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OFFICIAL: Comets just announced a six-year affiliation extension agreement with Vancouver Canucks.
There’s an option after two years.
So, that’s some big news for hockey fans ahead of the New Year.
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We should be talking about how Elton John (!) called Luke Prokop.
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Among Colton Saucerman’s greatest achievements: He dressed up as
@GrittyNHL
and it is incredible.
(Photo via his Instagram)
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Some Utica Comets-related news:
Goaltender Nico Daws expected to be out for extended period of time after offseason surgery.
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Nice moment following Comets win Wednesday as Trent Cull claps for fans in home finale as VAN affiliate.
Players raise sticks in the air to also salute team.
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Comets went to the Bills-Dolphins game Sunday.
How was the experience?
Goldobin: It was nice to hang with other guys and drink water and eat hot dogs.
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Akira Schmid has stopped 79 of the last 82 shots he’s faced.
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@davemerk1
@RealLyndaCarter
You don't remember?
The 21st night of September? When live was changin' the minds of pretenders?
While chasin' the clouds away?
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Baertschi eager to get going. Wants to set a good example with Comets
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Trent Cull said he pushed back some meetings Tuesday morning to stay up Monday and watch
@zmacewen11
's NHL/
#Canucks
debut.
Referred to it as like a proud dad moment to see Zack get the opportunity.
Jaime Sifers also happy for MacEwen.
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Kevin Dineen had an end-of-season availability Wednesday.
I asked him if he expects to be back in Utica next season.
“I do. I signed a three-year deal here. … I like to think that our young players too strides in the right direction this year.
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Comets wearing special jerseys honoring team’s seventh season and Canucks’ 50th season
Team wearing jersey Feb 29 and March 11
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FINAL: Comets 7, Amerks 1
Comets are 5-0-0-0 for the first time to start the season.
Just red-hot to start the season, outscoring teams 29-11 in five games.
Baertschi, McIntyre with huge efforts in the game.
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Bailey on handshake with Goldobin: “It is just one of those things that happens. ... We keep it nice and proper with a good, firm handshake.”
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Alex Holtz is a guest on Comets Insider radio show Monday: I want to be the best player I can be. I want to improve my overall game. I want to round out my game a little bit more. I don't just want to be just that offensive guy all the time. Of course that's going to be ... 1/
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Asked Gadjovich about the start to his first pro season.
"It's a lot tougher than I thought. It is a big adjustment period. My teammates and coaches have been so helpful. They hold me accountable. ... I'm just trying to learn as much as I can how to be a good professional."
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Talked to Sven Baertschi, who said he’s trying to play to the best of his abilities” ahead of trade deadline.
Noted that it is in VAN’s control.
“If I stick around (Utica), that’s fine with me too. I can try and help this team go far and make a good push for the playoffs.”
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Official: Utica Comets are affiliates with New Jersey Devils.
10-year affiliation agreement.
And, yes, they're remaining the Utica Comets
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That's Kevin Dineen's 350th AHL win.
He's among 12 coaches to reach 350 wins in the AHL
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Cheers to former Comets D Jalen Chatfield and wife Drew on the new teammate
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Demko gets the start Wednesday.
Likely could be his last start with Utica for awhile.
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Southland — with a fantastic cast and brilliant writing — deserved much better than the two networks it was on.
It is on HBO Max now is absolutely worth your time.
Regina King, Michael Cudlitz, Ben McKenzie and Shawn Hatosy are great in it.
Animal Kingdom is a wild ride and Southland was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen and TNT couldn’t do a worse job with them
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FWIW: Spotted Kevin Bahl with his hockey bag and sticks heading out of the ABC on Tuesday morning.
Heard someone say “good luck, Kevin!”
Dineen said mentioned a forward and D we’re going up, but didn’t elaborate.
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Nolan Foote has been recalled from Comets to NJD’s taxi squad, per AHL transactions.
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Slap Shot was released 45 years ago today.
Here’s the Utica Aud then and now.
Comets set to do that hockey against Hershey
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Was told the “turtleneck” cut resistant undershirts will be provided for Comets players.
I am unsure how many players might use them.
Team plays Wednesday at Laval
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A humongous big thanks to the
@UticaComets
players, coaches, staff for a memorable fourth season covering the team.
I'm lucky to have the opportunity to tell their stories.
Thanks for following along (and reading) this season. I hope I was able to provide insight on the team.
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Unsurprisingly, Olli Juolevi has sticks on the bench.
First game back for the D-man since Nov. 11.
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Antoine Roussel and Sven Baertschi — both expected in the Comets lineup Wednesday — have a combined 769 games of NHL experience. With AHL games it is 1,046.
That doesn’t happen often in the AHL
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Ethan Keppen, a 2019 Canucks draft pick, is with Utica on an ATO, per AHL transactions.
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Demko: I grew up a lot in (Utica). ... There's a lot of guys in this room that I can give credit to that helped me on and off the ice. There's definitely a lot of special moments in this building with this group. ... If this is my last time in Utica, I've really enjoyed it."
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Doesn't appear Zack MacEwen is in the lineup Sunday.
He appeared fine when talking to him Saturday.
Get the sense there's a call-up, which shouldn't be a surprise.
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Slap Shot was released 44 years ago today.
Here’s the Utica Aud in the movie vs. now (from different angles)
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To say I’m truly humbled and honored by this is an understatement.
Thank you for the recognition. I appreciate it.
.
@OD_Birnell
has been selected as the recipient of
@TheAHL
's 2017-18 James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding media coverage
Details:
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Until the next time.
A quick tip of cap to everyone following along this season.
Hope I was able to capture the spirit of the thing.
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Mike DiPietro took some time following Saturday’s game to say hello to the girl and her family that traveled more than 200 miles.
Good stuff.
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Gadjovich’s knuckles were pretty gnarly post-game after his third period fight.
Had a goal
Trent Cull: I think Jonah is doing whatever he can to stay in lineup and send a message to me or the team. I love his play. He’s working on the details of his game.
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Brogan Rafferty has been paired with Olli Juolevi in first two days of camp.
Rafferty said he thinks he works well with Juolevi.
Said Juolevi has helped give him some tips.
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Markstrom vs Binnington also a rematch of the first round of the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs between Utica and Chicago
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Cull thought Juolevi settled into a groove as game got going in the first period.
Seemed to be more comfortable going for pucks and moving pucks.
“A good game for him.”
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In other goalie news, looks like Thatcher Demko has a new set with tha Canucks.
🔥
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