Comets Drop Preseason Opener to Devils
September 28, 2018 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
Utica, N.Y. - The Utica Comets were provided goals from Reid Boucher and Jagger Dirk, but they couldn't overcome the early scoring from the Binghamton Devils during a 4-2 loss on Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center.
The opening minutes of the first period were controlled by the Devils, who needed only 4:52 to earn a 2-0 lead. Starting the night's scoring, Blake Pietila carved towards the low slot and reeled in a feed that he swiftly chipped past the stick side of Richard Bachman. Moments later, the visitors extended their lead with a net-front tip by Nathan Bastian, who re-directed a long wrist shot from Colton White. The early efficiency from the Devils eventually put the Comets behind by a pair after first period.
Earning a five-on-three advantage early in the second, the Comets sliced the deficit in half by capitalizing with the extra attackers. Jesse Graham controlled the puck at the top of the circles before sliding a pass across the ice to Boucher, who sailed a one-timer into the back of the goal.
The Devils re-established their two-goal lead with a power play tally of their own, as Yegor Sharangovich crashed the goal and deposited a rebound tally after a Bachman kick save. The rest of the period leveled out, as Utica went into the third period trailing by two.
Opening their lead to a game-high three goals, the Devils were propelled by Pietila's second of the night on a short-side wrist shot from the left faceoff dot. The tally put the Comets in a 4-1 hole, midway through the third period.
Utica threw everything they had at Binghamton for the remainder of the way, and they eventually broke through with under two minutes remaining. Dirk fired a long shot that flew through traffic and past Colton Phinney. It was as close as the Comets would get, even after pulling Bachman for an extra attacker in the closing moments.
American Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2018
- Iowa Falls to Tucson 4-2 at TRIA Rink in Preseason Opener - Iowa Wild
- Tucson Tops Iowa, 4-2, in Preseason Opener - Tucson Roadrunners
- Sens Open Preseason with Convincing Win over Laval - Belleville Senators
- Comets Drop Preseason Opener to Devils - Utica Comets
- Devils Defeat Comets 4-2 in Preseason Action - Binghamton Devils
- Thunderbirds and Providence Bruins to Partake in Preseason Home-And-Home Set this Weekend - Springfield Thunderbirds
- Monsters Sign Forward Nikita Korostelev to AHL Contract for 2018-19 Season - Cleveland Monsters
- Anaheim Ducks Announce Roster Moves - San Diego Gulls
- Columbus Blue Jackets Recall 11 Players from Cleveland Monsters - Cleveland Monsters
- Past Exhibitions, Minnesota's Connection, and Two against Iowa - Tucson Roadrunners
- Texas Stars Add Scarlett, Heatherington to Training Camp from Dallas - Texas Stars
- Two-Buck Buds Highlight Blue Flame Fridays - Rockford IceHogs
- CAA Arena to Host Leafs and Canadiens Alumni Game - Belleville Senators
- Wade Megan Assigned to Griffins - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Chlapik and Wolanin Assigned to Belleville - Belleville Senators
- Sens Inaugural Golf Classic a Resounding Success - Belleville Senators
- Rangers Reduce Roster - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Sunday 4-Packs Better Than Ever - Bridgeport Islanders
- Penguins Announce "KIDS CLUB" Presented by Subway - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Game Day Build-Up: Senators vs. Rocket, September 28 - Belleville Senators
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.
