UTICA, N.Y. – The Utica Comets set a new franchise high for consecutive home games with a point in a 2-1 overtime loss to the St. John’s IceCaps on Friday night, at The AUD. The Comets have collected a 7-0-3-1 record during their streak of 11 consecutive home games with a point that dates back to Jan. 13.
Carter Bancks (1-0-1) scored the Comets’ lone goal, while Mike Pereira (0-1-1) and Taylor Fedun (0-1-1) each recorded a point with assists. Joe Cannata made 19 saves en route to his 10th loss of the season. The Comets’ league-best home penalty-kill unit was a perfect 3-for-3 and have successfully killed off 50 of their last 52 opportunites at home (96.2%).
After the Comets could not convert on several chances to start the game, the IceCaps capitalized on a defensive lapse just 2:25 into the first period. A wide open Jeremy Gregoire one-timed Mark MacMillan’s pass from the corner off of Bachman’s chest protector and in to give the visiting team a 1-0 lead.
The game remained 1-0 in the IceCaps’ favor until Bancks tied it with 10:07 left in the third period. After taking a pass from Pereira on the half wall, Bancks stepped around a defender, and beat Fucale’s glove to knot the game at 1-1. The goal was his 10th of the season and gave the sixth year forward his first 30-point season.
In overtime, the IceCaps’ Max Friberg scored 1:19 into the extra frame to give the IceCaps a 2-1 win over Utica.
The Comet fell to 31-21-6-3 with the loss, and the IceCaps improved to 28-25-8-3 with the win.
The Comets season-high five-game home stand continues tomorrow night at The AUD when the Albany Devils make their final regular season visit at 7pm.
