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
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New meme just dropped
December 1, 2025 at 2:49 AM
New meme just dropped
Artist Unknown.
Slap Shot (2025).
Piece of hockey equipment on building material.
This work is the traces of a sports team’s struggles in the 11th month of 2025.
Notice the curved edge showcasing the precision of the artist’s general displeasure following a difficult evening on a frozen surface.
Slap Shot (2025).
Piece of hockey equipment on building material.
This work is the traces of a sports team’s struggles in the 11th month of 2025.
Notice the curved edge showcasing the precision of the artist’s general displeasure following a difficult evening on a frozen surface.
November 27, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Artist Unknown.
Slap Shot (2025).
Piece of hockey equipment on building material.
This work is the traces of a sports team’s struggles in the 11th month of 2025.
Notice the curved edge showcasing the precision of the artist’s general displeasure following a difficult evening on a frozen surface.
Slap Shot (2025).
Piece of hockey equipment on building material.
This work is the traces of a sports team’s struggles in the 11th month of 2025.
Notice the curved edge showcasing the precision of the artist’s general displeasure following a difficult evening on a frozen surface.
Look at this play between New Hartford’s Johnny Vitullo and Peyton Way.
Helped New Hartford rally from 20 down. This play late in 4th helped NH tie the game (and take a brief lead.)
Easily one of the best plays — dare I say, the best — I’ve seen in a football field.
Helped New Hartford rally from 20 down. This play late in 4th helped NH tie the game (and take a brief lead.)
Easily one of the best plays — dare I say, the best — I’ve seen in a football field.
November 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Look at this play between New Hartford’s Johnny Vitullo and Peyton Way.
Helped New Hartford rally from 20 down. This play late in 4th helped NH tie the game (and take a brief lead.)
Easily one of the best plays — dare I say, the best — I’ve seen in a football field.
Helped New Hartford rally from 20 down. This play late in 4th helped NH tie the game (and take a brief lead.)
Easily one of the best plays — dare I say, the best — I’ve seen in a football field.
#ThrowbackFriday to that time 8 (!) years ago noted Utica Comets goaltender Thatcher Demko found an unconventional place for a goalie siesta.
November 21, 2025 at 4:39 PM
#ThrowbackFriday to that time 8 (!) years ago noted Utica Comets goaltender Thatcher Demko found an unconventional place for a goalie siesta.
When you find the Butterfingers in the candy collection
October 30, 2025 at 12:09 AM
When you find the Butterfingers in the candy collection
With Kyle Criscuolo back to the Utica Comets, I was reminded that hes the lead card of a stack of AHL ones in my dresser.
And, well, that’s fun.
And, well, that’s fun.
October 28, 2025 at 5:34 PM
With Kyle Criscuolo back to the Utica Comets, I was reminded that hes the lead card of a stack of AHL ones in my dresser.
And, well, that’s fun.
And, well, that’s fun.
I love a good sportsball celly.
So, yeah, shoutout to this Utica Proctor player for busting out the flip and choosing to do it in front of me with the Big Kid CameraTM.
One of my new favorite photos I’ve taken right here.
So, yeah, shoutout to this Utica Proctor player for busting out the flip and choosing to do it in front of me with the Big Kid CameraTM.
One of my new favorite photos I’ve taken right here.
October 24, 2025 at 3:06 AM
I love a good sportsball celly.
So, yeah, shoutout to this Utica Proctor player for busting out the flip and choosing to do it in front of me with the Big Kid CameraTM.
One of my new favorite photos I’ve taken right here.
So, yeah, shoutout to this Utica Proctor player for busting out the flip and choosing to do it in front of me with the Big Kid CameraTM.
One of my new favorite photos I’ve taken right here.
Comets D Dmitry Osipov suspended 3 games by AHL for this illegal check to the head.
Was called a match penalty in-game.
And very much seemed right away that a suspension of more than 1 game was likely
Was called a match penalty in-game.
And very much seemed right away that a suspension of more than 1 game was likely
October 21, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Comets D Dmitry Osipov suspended 3 games by AHL for this illegal check to the head.
Was called a match penalty in-game.
And very much seemed right away that a suspension of more than 1 game was likely
Was called a match penalty in-game.
And very much seemed right away that a suspension of more than 1 game was likely
It changed.
Daws ⬆️
Daws ⬆️
October 15, 2025 at 2:14 PM
It changed.
Daws ⬆️
Daws ⬆️
Important!
A Dog in a rain coat!
A Dog in a rain coat!
October 13, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Important!
A Dog in a rain coat!
A Dog in a rain coat!
McLaughlin, Casey, Lammikko, Dadonov and now MacEwen.
Sheesh.
Sheesh.
October 13, 2025 at 4:51 PM
McLaughlin, Casey, Lammikko, Dadonov and now MacEwen.
Sheesh.
Sheesh.
Shane Lachance and Lenni Hämeenaho are in Utica with a bit of buzz for a Comets squad trying make its own after a twisty-turny 24-25 season.
Anyway, Heres phots of the 2 standout NJD prospects
Anyway, Heres phots of the 2 standout NJD prospects
October 8, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Shane Lachance and Lenni Hämeenaho are in Utica with a bit of buzz for a Comets squad trying make its own after a twisty-turny 24-25 season.
Anyway, Heres phots of the 2 standout NJD prospects
Anyway, Heres phots of the 2 standout NJD prospects
Thought maybe the Comets roster might see some cuts after opening weekend.
But there were a few plus additions Tuesday of Lachance, Hämeenaho.
Seems to be, at the very least, a team that should be better than last year.
It is mix of experience, youth that feels a little similar to 21-22 (on paper)
But there were a few plus additions Tuesday of Lachance, Hämeenaho.
Seems to be, at the very least, a team that should be better than last year.
It is mix of experience, youth that feels a little similar to 21-22 (on paper)
October 7, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Thought maybe the Comets roster might see some cuts after opening weekend.
But there were a few plus additions Tuesday of Lachance, Hämeenaho.
Seems to be, at the very least, a team that should be better than last year.
It is mix of experience, youth that feels a little similar to 21-22 (on paper)
But there were a few plus additions Tuesday of Lachance, Hämeenaho.
Seems to be, at the very least, a team that should be better than last year.
It is mix of experience, youth that feels a little similar to 21-22 (on paper)
Libraries remain the best.
October 6, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Libraries remain the best.
It continues to happen for the Utica Comets Hockey Club
October 5, 2025 at 10:59 PM
It continues to happen for the Utica Comets Hockey Club
It is all happening
October 4, 2025 at 6:10 PM
It is all happening
Officially, your first round of cuts for NJ Devils to Utica.
Goalies Jakub Malek among them. About expected given was presented in two groups at devils camp.
Third group listed is players on AHL and ECHL contracts
Goalies Jakub Malek among them. About expected given was presented in two groups at devils camp.
Third group listed is players on AHL and ECHL contracts
September 29, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Officially, your first round of cuts for NJ Devils to Utica.
Goalies Jakub Malek among them. About expected given was presented in two groups at devils camp.
Third group listed is players on AHL and ECHL contracts
Goalies Jakub Malek among them. About expected given was presented in two groups at devils camp.
Third group listed is players on AHL and ECHL contracts
Yeah, so, 26 people have a song writing credit on “Jump” by Kriss Kross.
I inadvertently learned this today.
I inadvertently learned this today.
September 7, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Yeah, so, 26 people have a song writing credit on “Jump” by Kriss Kross.
I inadvertently learned this today.
I inadvertently learned this today.
Concert posters are not done enough anymore
August 31, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Concert posters are not done enough anymore
Keyed up for Gary Clark Jr. (finally!) and The Black Keys
August 30, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Keyed up for Gary Clark Jr. (finally!) and The Black Keys