Utica, NY – The Utica Comets dropped a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to the Albany Devils on Wednesday night.
The two teams played evenly through the first 10 minutes. Albany struck first with just under eight minutes to go as some clever passing found Blake Pietila open in front of the net. The lead would not last long, as Utica tied the game just 30 seconds later. Alexandre Grenier tallied his seventh goal of the year, potting a centering pass from Anton Rodin. Pascal Pelletier also tallied an assist on the goal as the squads remained tied after the first period.
The Devils retook the lead five minutes into the second period. With Wacey Hamilton in the box for high-sticking, Ben Sexton was able to convert on a tic-tac-toe passing play. The Comets responded quickly once again, as Pelletier beat Mackenzie Blackwood top corner from the bottom of the circle. Jordan Subban and Grenier picked up the assists on the power play strike. The two teams remained knotted at two after the middle stanza.
The North Division rivals battled evenly throughout the final period, but neither team was able to find the back of the net. Regulation was not enough to find a winner, and the two teams headed to overtime.
It took nearly all of overtime, but Pietila was able to give the visitors a victory with 39 seconds remaining. The forward beat Thatcher Demko low short-side directly after a faceoff. Demko finished the night with 30 saves and fell to a record of 7-5-2. Blackwood improved to a record of 5-5-1 with 19 stops.
The Comets power play went 1-2 on the night, while the penalty kill gave up one goal in three attempts.
The Comets are back in action Friday, December 16th as they battle the St. John’s Ice Caps at 7 p.m. at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The game can be heard live on 94.9 KROCK or viewed on AHL Live.
