Comets lost at Abbotsford
March 15, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
The Comets fell to the Abbotsford Heat 3-1 Friday night, for the first time at the Abbotsford Sports and Entertainment Center. With the victory, the Heat snapped Utica's four-game winning streak, and dropped the Comets record to 26-27-3-4.
Alex Grenier scored for the Comets, while Pascal Pelletier and Cal O'Reilly each picked up an assist. Goaltender Joacim Eriksson turned aside 33 of the 35 shots he faced.
12:25 into the game the Heat opened the game's scoring. On the power play, after turning away two short-handed Comets chances, the Heat settled into the offensive zone. Reinhart, from behind Eriksson's net, centered the puck to the slot to an awaiting Josh Joorish, who netted his 10th goal of the season. Lafranchise picked up the secondary assist on the goal.
The one-goal lead would stand until the 19:49 mark of the second period. Eriksson stopped Locke's blast from the point, and then stonewalled Smith's backhanded shot on the rebound. The rebound shot, from just below the faceoff circle, skittered to the far faceoff dot to an unmarked Connolly who buried the puck into a gaping net.
On their sixth power play chance of the evening it would be Grenier who finally get the Comets on the board. Pascal Pelletier found Grenier all alone on the backdoor. Roy was there for Grenier's first shot, and then turned away the second. The third rebound bounced over his shoulder, where Ben Street accidently swatted the puck into his own net as he tried to clear it from the crease. Cal O'Reilly picked up the secondary assist.
Derek Smith added an empty net goal with 28 seconds left to seal the victory for the Heat.
The Comets do not have to wait long for retribution, as these two teams clash again Saturday night in Abbotsford. Puck drop is set for 10pm EST. The Comets return home the following week with a game on Friday, vs. Adirondack, and another Sunday afternoon against the Milwaukee Admirals. Both of those games at The AUD are set for 7pm puck drops.
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