Utica, NY – The Utica Comets dropped a 3-0 decision to the St. John’s Ice Caps on Friday night at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
A scoreless first period saw the Comets and IceCaps trade scoring chances but both Thatcher Demko and Charlie Lindgren denied all opportunities.
The IceCaps opened the scoring just two minutes into the middle frame. Yannick Veilleux buried the rebound of a Brett Lernout shot to give the visitors the first goal of the game. Veilleux’s first of the season was the lone goal of the period as St. John’s led 1-0 after 40 minutes.
Jeremy Gregoire extended the St. John’s lead about halfway through the final frame. The forward batted a loose puck out of midair that found its way into the net for his fourth of the year. St John’s sealed the game when Daniel Audette notched his third of the year on the power play with 5:56 to go in the period, giving the IceCaps a 3-0 victory.
Demko stopped 17 of the 20 shots he faced and his record falls to 7-6-2 on the season. Lindgren earned his first professional shutout, stopping all 33 shots he faced and improving his record to 10-7-1.
The Comets power play went 0-5 on the night, while the penalty kill allowed one goal in five attempts.
The Comets are back in action tomorrow night as they hit the road to take on the Binghamton Senators. Puck drop from the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
