Comets Score Five Unanswered in Comeback Win over Phantoms
February 8, 2019 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
Utica, N.Y. - The Comets overcame a 2-0 deficit and ripped off five unanswered goals in a 5-2 win over the Lehigh Valley Phantoms Friday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Carter Bancks, Ashton Sautner, Reid Boucher, Tom Pyatt, and Brendan Gaunce found the net for Utica. Michael Leighton made 25 saves to earn his second straight win.
It was a back and forth first period but the game would remain scoreless after 20 minutes.
Justin Bailey scored 52 seconds into the second period, bouncing a puck off of Leighton's back then off of a skate in the crease. Philippe Myers doubled the lead 45 seconds later. Bancks cut the lead to one, burying a rebound past McKenna at the 6:28 mark of the middle frame. Jaime Sifers and Lukas Jasek tallied the assists.
Sautner tied the game at two just 30 seconds into the third period, beating McKenna with a wrist shot from the top of the left circle. Tanner Kero and Zack MacEwen picked up the assists. Boucher slipped a shot through McKenna's five-hole at the 3:54 mark of the third to give Utica their first lead of the night. MacEwen and Stefan LeBlanc had the assists.
30 seconds later, Pyatt converted on a two-on-one rush with Brendan Woods to bring the Comets' lead to 4-2. Sautner also collected an assist on the goal. Gaunce tipped a shot from Pyatt to push Utica's lead to 5-2 halfway through the third period. The Comets locked things down on defense to preserve the win.
The Comets are back at it tomorrow night as they host the Rochester Americans. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to use the ticket exchange site, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL TV.
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