Belleville, ON – Reid Boucher set the mark for most career goals as a Utica Comet, and Carter Camper earned his 400th career pro point as they led their team to a 4-3 victory over the Belleville Senators on Wednesday night at CAA Arena.
After controlling much of the first period’s pace of play, the Comets’ continued attack broke through at the 17:01 mark of the period, generating the only goal of the frame. Carter Camper hurried the puck through center before throwing a seeing-eye pass across the ice to Zack MacEwen, who cut in towards the goal and lifted a backhand over the sliding pads of Joey Daccord for his fourth of the year.
The second period saw both teams come to life, starting just 20 seconds into the period as Nikolay Goldobin scored his 10th of the season. Creating a two-on-one, Camper saucered a pass to Goldobin who found an open window in the top of the net to steer in the second of the night for Utica.
Former Comet Michael Carcone got Belleville on the board at 1:53 of the second, as he spotted a loose puck in front of the goal and pushed it over the line for his fourth of the year.
About five minutes later and on a power play, Utica regained their two-goal lead as Reid Boucher launched a shot from the right circle that flew into the net, earning his 76th career goal in a Utica Comets jersey, marking the most in franchise history.
Continuing to pad their lead late in the period, Kole Lind stabbed a rebound home from the low slot area while on a power play, registering his eighth of the year. The three goal second period allowed the Comets to go into the second intermission holding a 4-1 advantage.
The Senators threw everything they had at the Comets, as Vitaly Abramov scored twice in the final period, but Zane McIntyre and Utica slammed the door shut in the waning moments on their way to a 4-3 divisional win.
The Comets are back in action Friday night at home against the Laval Rocket. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available at the Box Office, over the phone by calling (315) 790-9070, or online at www.empirestatetix.com. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHLTV.
