Utica, N.Y. – The Utica Comets defeated the Belleville Senators by a score of 7-1 Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. The Comets tied the franchise record for goals scored in a game and largest margin of victory.
The first period went scoreless, but it didn’t come without its chances. Michael Carcone hit the crossbar and Joseph LaBate nearly scored by putting a shot off of goaltender Danny Taylor’s back. Thatcher Demko also made some key stops to keep the game tied at zero through 20 minutes.
Reid Boucher broke the scoreless tie with a one-time blast on the power play two and a half minutes into the middle frame. Nikolay Goldobin and Jordan Subban picked up the assists. Philip Holm made it 2-0 just two minutes later with a rip from the point. Goldobin and Carter Bancks tallied the assists. Michael Chaput extended his point streak with a power play goal of his own two minutes later. LaBate and Subban collected the assists. The route continued when Ashton Sautner potted his first of the year to bring the score to 4-0 Utica. Cam Darcy and Zack MacEwen had the assists.
Jayson Megna scored a breakaway goal just 40 seconds into the final period to make the score 5-0. Chaput picked up the lone assist. Gabriel Gagne ended Demko’s shutout bid with a power play goal three and a half minutes into the third period. Filip Chlapyk was credited with the assist. Boucher netted his second of the night halfway through the period with assists from Guillaume Brisebois and Darcy. Griffen Molino capped the game off with his first professional goal from Subban and Alexis D’Aoust.
Demko stopped 26 of 27 shots and his record improves to 5-3-1. Taylor finished with 27 saves and his record falls to 3-6-0. The Comets power play went 3-6, while the penalty kill allowed one goal in seven attempts.
The Comets are back in action tomorrow night as they host the Hartford Wolf Pack. Puck drops at 7 p.m. at the Adirondack Bank Center. Fans are encouraged to utilize the ticket exchange website, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL Live.
