Comets Clip Thunderbirds, Win 5-2
April 4, 2025 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
Utica, NY - In one of the team's final home games of the regular season, the Utica Comets stepped onto the ice against the Atlantic Division's Springfield Thunderbirds on a night when the team honored local police officers for their dedication to the community. The night began with a ceremonial puck drop with the Mayor of Utica, Michael Galime and the Utica Police Chief, Mark Williams, to the delight of those inside the Adirondack Bank Center. With the support of the crowd behind them, the Comets, wearing specialty themed police jerseys, looked to continue their winning ways as they were victorious in their previous three contests. Although the Comets gave up the first goal of the game, they were not deterred and kept moving forward skating away with the victory by a 5-2 score winning their fourth straight contest.
During the opening period, each team scored a goal with the Thunderbirds striking first on a shot from Hugh McGing at 14:05. The goal was answered by the Comets who had Ethan Edwards launch a shot that deflected perfectly for captain Ryan Schmelzer who scored his 19th of the season at 15:09. To start the second period Austin Strand rifled the puck into the Springfield net passed Colten Ellis 54 seconds into the period for a 2-1 lead. It was Strand's third of the season.
Each team scored early in the third with Tanner Dickinson tying the game at 1:54. Only moments later, Nathan Legare's wrist shot from the right wing beat Ellis high blocker side at 2:19 for a 3-2 Comets lead. It was his 16th goal of the season. Xavier Parent added an empty net goal with two minutes left as did Max Willman with 35 seconds to go sealing the win for Utica in a 5-2 victory.
Tickets: The Comets are back in action tomorrow night to honor local firefighters against the Providence Bruins. For more information on how you can be at the games and support our local heroes, please visit www.uticacomets.com or empirestatetix.com.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from April 4, 2025
- Barracuda Down First-Place Eagles, 6-3 - San Jose Barracuda
- Iowa Rides Three-Goal First To 4-2 Win Over San Diego - Iowa Wild
- Gulls Downed by Wild - San Diego Gulls
- San Jose Scores Four Unanswered to Top Eagles, 6-3 - Colorado Eagles
- Griffins Erupt For Season-High Eight Goals Against Rockford - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Merilainen Masterful in Shutout Performance to Lead Sens Past Amerks - Belleville Senators
- Ahcan's Hat Trick Leads Pierogies to 7-1 Win Over Penguins - Cleveland Monsters
- Bears Open Weekend With 2-1 Win Over Phantoms - Hershey Bears
- Amerks Blanked in Belleville, 5-0 - Rochester Americans
- Penguins Drubbed in Cleveland, 7-1 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Crunch Topple Marlies, 4-1 - Syracuse Crunch
- IceHogs Outmatched by Griffins, Lose 8-3 - Rockford IceHogs
- Charlotte Falls 4-0 Against Providence - Charlotte Checkers
- Bussi, P-Bruins Blank Checkers - Providence Bruins
- T-Birds' Sticks Run Cold in Utica - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Comets Clip Thunderbirds, Win 5-2 - Utica Comets
- Getting to Know Jett Luchanko - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Marlies Acquire Forward Brandon Baddock - Toronto Marlies
- Chrona Signs Contract Extension - Milwaukee Admirals
- Preview: Phantoms vs. Bears, Game #67 - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Anaheim Ducks Announce Roster Moves - San Diego Gulls
- Eagles Sign Defensemen Kelley, Kempf to AHL Contracts - Colorado Eagles
- Dominik Shine Returns to Grand Rapids - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Eamon Powell Inks One-Year AHL Deal for Next Season, Joins Checkers on ATO - Charlotte Checkers
- Belleville's Hodgson Suspended Two Games by the American Hockey League - Belleville Senators
- Senators' Hodgson Suspended for Two Games - AHL
- Moose Sign Patrick Guzzo to Tryout - Manitoba Moose
- Game Preview: Bears at Phantoms, 7:05 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Capitals Recall Hunter Shepard from Hershey - Hershey Bears
- IceHogs Visit Grand Rapids as the Playoff Push Continues - Rockford IceHogs
- Bojangles Game Preview: April 4 at Providence - Charlotte Checkers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
