AHL

AHL - The Utica Comets, the Vancouver Canucks' AHL affiliate, are still going strong in the race for the Calder Cup. After last night's 4-1 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins, they now lead the Western Conference Final with 2-1.

Photo NHL

Sven Bärtschi showed a great performance last night, scoring a natural hat trick within 8 minutes and 36 seconds in the second period, after the first had went by scoreless. The Grand Rapids Griffins eventually scored early in the third period, but the Comets' Cory Conacher, who is rumored to join SC Bern in the upcoming season, secured the Comets win with his goal five minutes before the buzzer sounded. Sven Bärtschi (three goals, +2, four shots on goal) was named best player of the game. (mso)