Laval, QUE – The Utica Comets defeated the Laval Rocket by a score of 3-2 in a shootout Saturday night at Place Bell.
Alexis D’Aoust netted the first goal of the game for the second straight night, converting on a one-time pass from Patrick Wiercioch six minutes into the game. Nikolay Goldobin also tallied an assist on the goal.
Utica and Laval each had their chances in the middle frame, but Thatcher Demko and Charlie Lindgren were up to the task.
Michael McCarron scored two goals in seven seconds to put Laval up 2-1 halfway through the third period, including putting home a loose puck in front that bounced off the glass partition with Demko caught out of his net. Jeremy Gregoire and Daniel Audette assisted on McCarron’s first goal, while Gregoire and Brett Lernout were credited with the assists on the second goal. With Demko on the bench for the extra attacker, Reid Boucher tied the game with 42 seconds remaining in regulation. Philip Holm and Jayson Megna picked up the assists.
The Comets had their chances in overtime but were unable to find a winner and the game would head to a shootout.
Megna and Boucher both scored, and Demko stopped two of three shots in the shootout to secure the victory.
Demko finished with 40 saves and his record improves to 6-5-1. Lindgren stopped 23 of 25 shots. His record falls to 3-3-3. The Comets power play went 0-2, while the penalty kill did not allow a goal in four attempts.
The Comets return to the ice Wednesday night as they battle the Rochester Americans. Puck drop at the Adirondack Bank Center is at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to utilize the ticket exchange website, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL Live.
