COMRIE PROVIDES CALMING PRESENCE FOR AMERKS

Jan 4, 2023

By Suzie Cool

 

Goaltender Eric Comrie made his Rochester Americans debut this past Saturday against the Toronto Marlies, helping the Amerks close out 2022 with a 34-save effort to solidify the 3-2 win. Earlier in the day, Comrie was loaned to Rochester by the Buffalo Sabres on a conditioning stint.

 

“Comrie was rock solid,” started Amerks head coach Seth Appert when asked about Comrie’s first game with Rochester. “It's not an easy game to come back after six weeks (with injury). I thought we played real strong team defense in front of him, but I thought he made the game easy on us. He was calm. He's got a real calm demeanor in the net. I thought his rebound control was excellent and I thought he played a really mature, calm game.”

 

On Saturday, Comrie became the fifth different netminder to appear in at least one game with Rochester this season. It marks the third straight season that the Amerks have used at least five different goaltenders and the second time in franchise history the club has had three straight seasons with five goaltenders to appear in at least one game.

 

 

Tonight against the Belleville Senators, Comrie will once again be starting between the pipes.

 

“Comrie just needs to continue to be very good,” Appert explained when asked what he expects of Comrie tonight. “He was very good on Saturday (against Toronto). He was very good at practice Monday and Tuesday. He gives a real calming presence and that's going to be important tonight against Bellville because we know that Belleville plays a bit of a chaotic game there.”

 

This past July, the Sabres signed Comrie to a two-year NHL contract.

 

Prior to coming to Buffalo, Comrie, went 16-10-5 with a .920 save percentage in 19 games with the Winnipeg Jets last season. Additionally, Comrie had a career save percentage of .909 in 28 games spanning six seasons with Winnipeg, the Detroit Red Wings and the New Jersey Devils.

 

 

With Buffalo this season, Comrie appeared in 11 games before getting sidelined, boasting a .3.62 goals-against average and a .887 save percentage while making 298 saves.

 

Comrie goes against a Belleville team tonight that’s currently on a four-game skid while also trying to help Rochester push its win streak to seven straight games.

 

“They're physically demanding to play against. They have a lot of big bodies at the front of the net, creating havoc around our net. So, the calm presence of Comrie will be an important factor tonight,” finished Appert.

 

 

Tonight marks the fourth of eight meetings between Rochester and Belleville this season, and the third at The Blue Cross Arena. Puck drops at 7:05 p.m. with all of the action being carried live The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM The Fan Rochester as well as AHLTV.

 

 

OTHER LINEUP NOTEABLES:

• Captain Michael Mersch is out of the lineup tonight as him and his wife, Jenna, welcomed their new baby boy into the world yesterday

• Alternate captain Sean Malone is still out with an upper body injury on a week-by-week basis

• Rookie forwards Isak Rosen and Jiri Kulich are squaring up at in the semifinals of the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships today at 2:30 p.m.

• Forwards Brandon Biro, Brett Murray and Lukas Rousek will remain on a line together going into tonight’s game