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
From the hardwood:
No. 1-ranked Utica Notre Dame caps 20-0 regular season.
The last time that’s believed to have happened is 1982-83.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
No. 1-ranked Utica Notre Dame caps 20-0 regular season.
The last time that’s believed to have happened is 1982-83.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Utica Notre Dame girls basketball caps 20-0 regular season: 'We're so fortunate'
With help from an early third-quarter run Friday, Notre Dame created separation against Tri-Valley League opponent New Hartford to pull away for a 70-48 victory at Walsh Gym.
The win pushes the Jugg...
www.romesentinel.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:42 PM
From the hardwood:
No. 1-ranked Utica Notre Dame caps 20-0 regular season.
The last time that’s believed to have happened is 1982-83.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
No. 1-ranked Utica Notre Dame caps 20-0 regular season.
The last time that’s believed to have happened is 1982-83.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Chatted with Austin Strand bc I hadn't really.
On that injury that kept him out, forming perhaps an unlikely bond with another teammate and playing in Utica.
Enjoyed this chat with the veteran D-man.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/austi...
On that injury that kept him out, forming perhaps an unlikely bond with another teammate and playing in Utica.
Enjoyed this chat with the veteran D-man.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/austi...
After injury, Austin Strand looks to help boost Utica Comets
Austin Strand had one of his longer layoffs during his eight pro seasons after a broken bone sidelined him for about a month with the Utica Comets.
The injury allowed him to get to know one of his Com...
www.romesentinel.com
February 14, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Chatted with Austin Strand bc I hadn't really.
On that injury that kept him out, forming perhaps an unlikely bond with another teammate and playing in Utica.
Enjoyed this chat with the veteran D-man.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/austi...
On that injury that kept him out, forming perhaps an unlikely bond with another teammate and playing in Utica.
Enjoyed this chat with the veteran D-man.
www.romesentinel.com/sports/austi...
Break’s over: Utica Comets look for improvement, especially offensively; McLaughlin ready; Hämeenaho, White and Casey notes
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Utica Comets aim to continue 'trending upwards' in return from AHL All-Star break
After returning from the short AHL All-Star break, the Utica Comets own a 13-22-5-3 overall record. The team is 18 points behind fifth-place Rochester. Fifth is the eventual cutoff the playoffs in the...
www.romesentinel.com
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Break’s over: Utica Comets look for improvement, especially offensively; McLaughlin ready; Hämeenaho, White and Casey notes
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
www.romesentinel.com/sports/utica...
Devils say Marc McLaughlin on waivers with intent to assign him to Utica.
Means he’s heathy after injury in preseason.
Would help Utica at center should/if he clear by Thursday deadline
Means he’s heathy after injury in preseason.
Would help Utica at center should/if he clear by Thursday deadline
February 11, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Devils say Marc McLaughlin on waivers with intent to assign him to Utica.
Means he’s heathy after injury in preseason.
Would help Utica at center should/if he clear by Thursday deadline
Means he’s heathy after injury in preseason.
Would help Utica at center should/if he clear by Thursday deadline
It is a distraction.
But it is up there as one of the most deeply unserious and dumbest things I’ve ever heard
But it is up there as one of the most deeply unserious and dumbest things I’ve ever heard
Alford: "On Bad Bunny - we're still investigating. There's info out about the lyrics. I don't speak fluent Spanish, but if it's true what was said on natl TV, we have a lot of Qs for entities that broadcast it & we'll be talking w/ the FCC. This could be worse than the Janet wardrobe malfunction"
February 11, 2026 at 3:46 AM
It is a distraction.
But it is up there as one of the most deeply unserious and dumbest things I’ve ever heard
But it is up there as one of the most deeply unserious and dumbest things I’ve ever heard
February 11, 2026 at 2:56 AM
They re-made the Rob Lowe classic Youngblood?
a woman is sitting at a desk with her arms outstretched in front of a map on the wall .
ALT: a woman is sitting at a desk with her arms outstretched in front of a map on the wall .
media.tenor.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:24 AM
They re-made the Rob Lowe classic Youngblood?
Video games, ya know?
February 11, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Video games, ya know?
The Black Keys are playing a venue less than a half hour from where I reside.
a man with a beard is making a funny face and pointing at something .
ALT: a man with a beard is making a funny face and pointing at something .
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:22 PM
The Black Keys are playing a venue less than a half hour from where I reside.
Collinsworth has been F-level poor at commentary for a Super Bowl
February 9, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Collinsworth has been F-level poor at commentary for a Super Bowl
Who knew Bad Bunny would score the first touchdown of the game?
February 9, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Who knew Bad Bunny would score the first touchdown of the game?
I want a Canadian Destroyer from Benito the half.
#superbowl
#superbowl
February 9, 2026 at 12:48 AM
I want a Canadian Destroyer from Benito the half.
#superbowl
#superbowl
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