Utica Comets Extend Win Streak

Utica 5 Binghamton 1

The Comets jumped out to a two-goal first-period lead thanks to goals by Carter Bancks and Vincent Arseneau. Francis Perron, the other member of the line, drew primary assists on both markers. While Brogan Rafferty added a helper on the goal by Arseneau, that line, in particular, controlled the boards in the offensive zone, chipping pucks in and being aggressive on the forecheck.

The second frame saw the Binghamton Devils draw to within one before Reid Boucher knotted his league-leading ninth goal of the season. That tally came on the powerplay with Olli Juolevi and Nikolay Goldobin drawing assists on the play.

Despite the attempt by the Devils to get back into the game, they couldn’t get any more pucks past Zane McIntyre. McIntyre was superb in net for the Comets earning him second-star accolades. Arseneau would pot his second of the game while Kole Lind would deposit one into the empty net to assure the victory.

Utica 2 Hershey 1

Unlike any of the previous Comets wins this game was one where they were decisively outplayed. Albeit, a four and a half hour bus ride following their Friday night encounter may have been a factor. The Comets were guilty of numerous turnovers and were hemmed in their own zone for much of the night.

What little life the Comets exhibited on the night came in the opening frame. Adam Gaudette unleashed a bullet of a shot from the left faceoff circle to put the Comets ahead. Sven Baertschi and Guillaume Brisebois added the assists on the play. From that point on, the Comets were under siege being outshot 32-9 from the second period onward.

Despite the multitude of glorious chances, the Bears couldn’t solve Michael DiPietro. Finally, after a bevy of opportunities, they were able to squeak one through to tie the game 1-1.

Overtime would solve nothing, and the teams would head to the shootout. DiPietro stopped all three shots, setting the stage for Reid Boucher to snipe the game-winner.

The next game for the Comets is Wednesday when they will host the Binghamton Devils at the Adirondack Bank Center.

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