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AHL Utica Comets

Comets Furious Late Rally Downs North Leading Marlies

December 13, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release


TORONTO, O.N. - Down 4-3 late in the third period to the North Division leading Toronto Marlies, the Utica Comets found a way to strike twice in 1:16 of game action to defeat the Marlies 5-4 in overtime. John Negrin's goal with a minute left tied the game before Alex Friesen's short-handed tally 16 seconds into overtime ended the game.

Jordan Subban (1-1-2), Alex Friesen (2-0-2), John Negrin (1-0-1) and Michael Zalewski (1-0-1) provided the offense for the Comets, while Joe Cannata made 19 saves in the victory.

The scoring kicked off on a Comets three-on-two odd man rush. Blair Jones cut across the top of the circle, to the high slot, and slid a backhand pass through the skates of a Marlies defenseman, and onto the stick of Subban. Subban quickly flipped a backhand to the far side of Jonathan Bernier as the goaltender slid across the crease. The goal stopped Bernier's shutout streak at 203 minutes and 38 seconds. Blair Jones' assist on the goal was the 300th point of his professional career.

The Marlies evened the score when Matt Frattin emerged from the corner uncontested and slipped a sneaky backhand over Cannata's shoulder for a power-play tally.

A minute into the second period Friesen reestablished the Comets lead. On a two-on-one rush, Friesen cut to the hashmarks and let a wrist shot loose that beat Bernier. Jon Landry picked up an assist on the play.

Just 50 seconds later Zalewski cashed in with a highlight-reel worthy goal. With one hand fighting off a Marlies defender as Zalewski drove to the net, he used his one free hand to flip the puck up-and-over the extended leg pad of Bernier.

Utica appeared to have stretched their lead to 4-1 when Ashton Sautner put the puck into the net behind Bernier. The on-ice officials convened and controversially waved the goal off, citing incidental goaltender's interference in the crease. The replay appeared to show a Marlies defender grazing Bernier, who was positioned about two feet outside of the crease.

From there, the Marlies mounted their comeback.

The comeback was kicked off when Eric Faille slipped a shot past Cannata. William Nylander, the American Hockey League's points leader, forced the game's third tie when an uncontested, point blank shot from just above the crease slipped through the pads of Cannata, with just 27 seconds left in the second period.

After the Comets took a too many men penalty, Mark Arcobello capitalized eight seconds into the power play to give the Marlies their first lead of the game.

With the game looking dire for the Comets, and their net empty in favor of an extra attacker, Negrin fired a shot through heavy traffic in the slot, and past Bernier to tie the game at 4 with exactly a minute left. Subban and Linden Vey recorded assists on the goal.

With Wacey Hamilton in the penalty box for a slashing minor, Alex Friesen stepped up and provided the heroics.

With the Marlies trying to gain entry into the Comets zone, Travis Ehrhardt forced a turnover that sprung Friesen on a breakaway. With a defender draped over his back, Friesen got enough on his shot to slip the puck through the leg pads of Bernier and win the game for the Comets.

The Comets return to The AUD on Wednesday night to take on the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m. A limited number of tickets are still available via EmpireStateTix.com.

NOTES: After the game Vancouver Canucks General Manager Jim Benning announced that the club has loaned forward Jake Virtanen to Team Canada for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.

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