Comets Edged 2-1 by the Wild
January 3, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
In just their third regulation loss at home this season, the Comets dropped a 2-1 decision against the Iowa Wild on Saturday evening at The Utica Memorial Auditorium.
Will Acton was the only Comet to score against the Minnesota Wild's American Hockey League affiliate after a scoring drought since Dec. 3, 2014. Iowa's goaltender John Curry was able to aid his team to safety after stopping 27 of the Comets 28 shots on net.
After a scoreless first period, the Wild found the scoreboard almost immediately after the start of the second stanza. Just 66 seconds after the puck was dropped, Marc Hagel obtained the puck in the offensive zone and spun it around towards the stick of Jordan Schroeder. With a quick smack the puck popped off of Joacim Eriksson's left leg, which left a rebound opportunity available to the Minnesota native. With a quick swing at the air-bound puck, Schroeder capitalized on his second chance to make it a 1-0 game.
The Wild tightened their grip on the lead just short of four minutes into the third period after Jonathon Blum got the puck to Zack Mitchell in the blue paint. The puck was poked through Eriksson's legs for Iowa's second goal of the night to make it 2-0 and what would eventually be the game-winner. Schroeder received credit for the secondary assist, which also gave him his second point of the game.
It wasn't until just past the halfway mark at 11:23 when the Comets found their only goal of the night. After what could be best described as confusion in front of Curry's net, the puck darted out of reach for the veteran goaltender. Acton buried it into the mesh for his third of the season and the Comets first goal of the night to make it 2-1. Hunter Shinkaruk and John Negrin both received assists on the play.
After their three-game stint, the Comets will take a break until Jan. 9. The Comets will then head to Ontario to take on the Hamilton Bulldogs for the second time this season. In their first match-up, the Comets won 3-2 at The AUD.
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