UTICA LOOKS TO AVENGE LOSS TO MISSISSAUGA

Today’s Game: Utica City hits the road for an Eastern Division rematch against the Mississauga MetroStars. Kickoff at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre is at 7:35 p.m.

Last Game: Utica fought back to tie the game at three but six unanswered goals in the second half put away City in a 9-3 loss to the Mississauga MetroStars afternoon at the Adirondack Bank Center. Mauricio Salles, Nate Bourdeau, and Domenico Vitale scored for Utica. Andrew Coughlin made six saves on 14 shots in the loss.

Head To Head: This is the fifth meeting between Utica and Mississauga this season. City leads the season series 3-1, but Mississauga won the most recent contest 9-3 this past Sunday. Utica has outscored the MetroStars 29-22 through four games. 

Scouting the MetroStars: Mississauga comes into tonight’s game with a record of 4-15 and sits in last place in the Eastern Division. Molham Babouli leads the offense with 31 points, followed by Damion Graham with 25 points. Adrian Becic is the leading goalkeeper with a record of 4-9, a 7.13 goals-against average, and a .633 save percentage.

Back On Track: Despite being injured most of the season, Mauricio Salles has turned things around. Salles has four points (3-1-4) in his last four games and has registered a point in all but three games he’s played in this year. Overall, the forward has eight points (7-1-8) in 10 games this season.

Power Surge: Despite not having many opportunities, Utica’s power play has been very good over the past five games. City is 4-5 on the man advantage over the last five games and has scored on four straight power play opportunities. Overall, Utica’s power play is tied for third in the league at 50%.

Wall of Steel: Andrew Coughlin has been spectacular this season. Coughlin has already matched his win total from last season and his goals-against average is almost a goal lower than last season. The goalkeeper is tied for second in the league in wins and has also chipped in two goals. Overall, Coughlin is 13-6 on the year with a 4.93 goals against average and .667 save percentage. 

Next Man Up: With Slav Ubiparipovic and Bo Jelovac likely out of the lineup tonight, Utica will have to look elsewhere for offense. Keep an eye out for Joey Tavernese, Nate Bourdeau, and Freddy Moojen to step up and provide a scoring punch. Tavernese has three points in his last two games and has registered eight points (4-4-8) in four games against Mississauga. Bourdeau also has three points in his last two games, while Moojen has six points (3-3-6) in six games with Utica this year.

Next Game: Utica City’s two-game road trip continues Sunday night against the Harrisburg Heat. Kickoff at the PA Farm Show Arena is at 5:05 p.m. The game can be viewed on MASL.tv.