Ben Birnell
@benbirnell.bsky.social
Daily Sentinel sports guy, covering Utica/Rome athletes/teams, including Utica Comets • Maria's husband • Emma's godfather • MN native • Ellery Award recipient
https://linktr.ee/benbirnell?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=03724112-973c-4b9c-9cca
https://linktr.ee/benbirnell?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=03724112-973c-4b9c-9cca
Utica Comets go into the AHL All-Star break with a 4-goal regulation loss to ROC on Saturday.
With that, Comets are 18 pts out of 5th place. 29 games to go.
Comets are 13-22-5-3 overall.
After AS break, Comets play ROC 2x on 2/14 and 2/15.
Comets are 3-5-0-0 vs. ROC this season
With that, Comets are 18 pts out of 5th place. 29 games to go.
Comets are 13-22-5-3 overall.
After AS break, Comets play ROC 2x on 2/14 and 2/15.
Comets are 3-5-0-0 vs. ROC this season
February 8, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Utica Comets go into the AHL All-Star break with a 4-goal regulation loss to ROC on Saturday.
With that, Comets are 18 pts out of 5th place. 29 games to go.
Comets are 13-22-5-3 overall.
After AS break, Comets play ROC 2x on 2/14 and 2/15.
Comets are 3-5-0-0 vs. ROC this season
With that, Comets are 18 pts out of 5th place. 29 games to go.
Comets are 13-22-5-3 overall.
After AS break, Comets play ROC 2x on 2/14 and 2/15.
Comets are 3-5-0-0 vs. ROC this season
One day we’ll figure out how she ended up on a graphic shared by the Buffalo Bills to their thousands and thousands of admirers.
But for now: Reannyn Weiler is unfortunately not part of the USA Luge roster for these Olympics in Italy.
But for now: Reannyn Weiler is unfortunately not part of the USA Luge roster for these Olympics in Italy.
February 7, 2026 at 1:13 PM
One day we’ll figure out how she ended up on a graphic shared by the Buffalo Bills to their thousands and thousands of admirers.
But for now: Reannyn Weiler is unfortunately not part of the USA Luge roster for these Olympics in Italy.
But for now: Reannyn Weiler is unfortunately not part of the USA Luge roster for these Olympics in Italy.
Well, I definitely didn’t understand the parameters of being able to send guys down during Olympic break.
Devils sent down Lenni “The Finnish Phenom” Hämeenaho and Colton White to The U.
Thought maybe on Lenni, no on White.
Anyway, games Friday and Saturday … before the week-long all-star break.
Devils sent down Lenni “The Finnish Phenom” Hämeenaho and Colton White to The U.
Thought maybe on Lenni, no on White.
Anyway, games Friday and Saturday … before the week-long all-star break.
February 6, 2026 at 3:20 AM
Well, I definitely didn’t understand the parameters of being able to send guys down during Olympic break.
Devils sent down Lenni “The Finnish Phenom” Hämeenaho and Colton White to The U.
Thought maybe on Lenni, no on White.
Anyway, games Friday and Saturday … before the week-long all-star break.
Devils sent down Lenni “The Finnish Phenom” Hämeenaho and Colton White to The U.
Thought maybe on Lenni, no on White.
Anyway, games Friday and Saturday … before the week-long all-star break.
Thomas Bordeleau traded from Utica Comets.
Seemed as though it might occur at some point
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Seemed as though it might occur at some point
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Utica Comets lose winger in New Jersey Devils trade
On Wednesday, the parent New Jersey Devils sent winger Thomas Bordeleau to the St. Louis Blues in a trade for forward Nick Bjugstad. The Devils also traded a draft pick for Bjugstad, who will join New...
www.romesentinel.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Reposted by Ben Birnell
Abbey Murphy does not own a single f*** to give
February 5, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Abbey Murphy does not own a single f*** to give
@cjzero.bsky.social Need to the Abbey Murphy “get out of here” look on a stoppage with about 6:30ish to go in the third of US women’s hockey game vs. Czechia
February 5, 2026 at 5:51 PM
@cjzero.bsky.social Need to the Abbey Murphy “get out of here” look on a stoppage with about 6:30ish to go in the third of US women’s hockey game vs. Czechia
Thomas Bordeleau traded from Utica Comets.
Seemed as though it might occur at some point
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Seemed as though it might occur at some point
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Utica Comets lose winger in New Jersey Devils trade
On Wednesday, the parent New Jersey Devils sent winger Thomas Bordeleau to the St. Louis Blues in a trade for forward Nick Bjugstad. The Devils also traded a draft pick for Bjugstad, who will join New...
www.romesentinel.com
February 4, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Thomas Bordeleau traded from Utica Comets.
Seemed as though it might occur at some point
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Seemed as though it might occur at some point
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Just goalies being dudes
February 4, 2026 at 5:28 AM
Just goalies being dudes
Brian Halonen has been added to the AHL All-Star Classic roster as the Comets representative for next week’s festivities in Rockford, Illinois.
February 3, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Brian Halonen has been added to the AHL All-Star Classic roster as the Comets representative for next week’s festivities in Rockford, Illinois.
Asked Criscuolo about nearing/getting to 300 career points heading into last weekend
He remains a top tier person to chat with
He remains a top tier person to chat with
February 3, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Asked Criscuolo about nearing/getting to 300 career points heading into last weekend
He remains a top tier person to chat with
He remains a top tier person to chat with
Reposted by Ben Birnell
A note from our editors:
February 1, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A note from our editors:
Ok fine I’ll buy more vinyl
February 1, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Ok fine I’ll buy more vinyl
Reposted by Ben Birnell
Absolutely losing my mind over Ava, THE ROCK'S DAUGHTER, quitting WWE despite them offering her a raise to keep working a pretty cushy kayfabe general manager gig and then the day after her contract ends she posts this
February 1, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Absolutely losing my mind over Ava, THE ROCK'S DAUGHTER, quitting WWE despite them offering her a raise to keep working a pretty cushy kayfabe general manager gig and then the day after her contract ends she posts this
Utica Comets’ Cam Squires on team’s overtime setback Saturday against Hershey: “That’s the way hockey goes some nights. Sometimes you control the pace for three periods and it doesn’t go your way in the end.”
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Utica Comets 'do a lot of things well,' but fall in OT to Hershey
The Utica Comets carried play for much of regulation, but the Hershey Bears controlled play in overtime Saturday in downtown Utica.
Ivan Miroshnickenko’s second goal Saturday ended it, handing the Co...
www.romesentinel.com
February 1, 2026 at 3:46 AM
Utica Comets’ Cam Squires on team’s overtime setback Saturday against Hershey: “That’s the way hockey goes some nights. Sometimes you control the pace for three periods and it doesn’t go your way in the end.”
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
With assist Saturday, Kyle Criscuolo has reached 300 points in his AHL career.
(He said his dad text recently that he was getting close to the milestone.)
(He said his dad text recently that he was getting close to the milestone.)
February 1, 2026 at 12:22 AM
With assist Saturday, Kyle Criscuolo has reached 300 points in his AHL career.
(He said his dad text recently that he was getting close to the milestone.)
(He said his dad text recently that he was getting close to the milestone.)
Reposted by Ben Birnell
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
St. Peter police chief intervenes, prevents federal agents from arresting resident
The police chief of St. Peter intervened to prevent federal agents from taking a local resident who was observing ICE enforcement actions into custody. It is believed to the first time local police in...
www.mprnews.org
January 31, 2026 at 2:48 PM
"MPR News has learned that the police chief in the small southern Minnesota city of St. Peter intervened Thursday afternoon to prevent federal immigration agents from arresting a local resident" who had been observing federal agents. www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Reposted by Ben Birnell
Will just be here watching this clip of Catherine O’Hara saying the word "baby" on Schitt’s Creek for the rest of the day….RIP 🥺🙏
January 30, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Will just be here watching this clip of Catherine O’Hara saying the word "baby" on Schitt’s Creek for the rest of the day….RIP 🥺🙏
Well, January. You’ve done it.
Worst month ever.
Worst month ever.
Catherine O'Hara, the actor who starred as Kate McCallister in “Home Alone,” has died at 71, TMZ reports
Catherine O'Hara Dead at 71
Catherine O'Hara -- famous for her work in "Schitt's Creek," "Home Alone," and "Best In Show" -- is dead ... TMZ has learned.
www.tmz.com
January 30, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Well, January. You’ve done it.
Worst month ever.
Worst month ever.
Utica Comets’ Kyle Criscuolo: “Right now, every game is just as important as the next one. Can’t really have any nights off. Everyone needs to know that we just need to keep going.”
Plus really enjoyed his response on being a point from 300 in his AHL career
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Plus really enjoyed his response on being a point from 300 in his AHL career
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
'Every game just as important as the next one' for Utica Comets
The Utica Comets enter Saturday's game against visiting Hershey looking to build on of the team's best games of the AHL season last weekend against the Syracuse Crunch.
"Right now, every game is just...
www.romesentinel.com
January 30, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Utica Comets’ Kyle Criscuolo: “Right now, every game is just as important as the next one. Can’t really have any nights off. Everyone needs to know that we just need to keep going.”
Plus really enjoyed his response on being a point from 300 in his AHL career
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Plus really enjoyed his response on being a point from 300 in his AHL career
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Reposted by Ben Birnell
the White House's official X account gloats over the arrest of Don Lemon with a chains emoji
January 30, 2026 at 3:10 PM
the White House's official X account gloats over the arrest of Don Lemon with a chains emoji
The dumbing down of driving habits in America should really be studied.
Not sure how the person who decided to box my car in came to the conclusion of: “yup, I should totally park here.”
Not sure how the person who decided to box my car in came to the conclusion of: “yup, I should totally park here.”
January 30, 2026 at 1:48 AM
The dumbing down of driving habits in America should really be studied.
Not sure how the person who decided to box my car in came to the conclusion of: “yup, I should totally park here.”
Not sure how the person who decided to box my car in came to the conclusion of: “yup, I should totally park here.”
Kiss’ I Was Made For Loving You is a banger.
And a top 10 song of all-time.
I said what I said.
And a top 10 song of all-time.
I said what I said.
January 29, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Kiss’ I Was Made For Loving You is a banger.
And a top 10 song of all-time.
I said what I said.
And a top 10 song of all-time.
I said what I said.
Days since I read the comments: 0.
Friendly reminder of Rule 1 of the internet is: Don't read the comments.
Friendly reminder of Rule 1 of the internet is: Don't read the comments.
January 27, 2026 at 9:42 PM
Days since I read the comments: 0.
Friendly reminder of Rule 1 of the internet is: Don't read the comments.
Friendly reminder of Rule 1 of the internet is: Don't read the comments.
Just Jakub Málek. Vibin.
January 26, 2026 at 6:02 PM
Just Jakub Málek. Vibin.
Jakub Málek abiding by the Happy Gilmore rule, maybe:
Don’tever touch his puck.
Don’tever touch his puck.
January 25, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Jakub Málek abiding by the Happy Gilmore rule, maybe:
Don’tever touch his puck.
Don’tever touch his puck.