Demko, Boucher Lead Comets Past Crunch
January 2, 2019 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
Utica, N.Y. - Reid Boucher tallied a goal and an assist and Thatcher Demko stopped 31 shots en route to a 4-2 victory over the Syracuse Crunch Wednesday night at the Adirondack Bank Center. Jesse Graham, Evan McEneny, and Brendan Gaunce also scored for Utica.
Boucher put the Comets on the board with seven seconds remaining in the first period, beating Crunch goaltender Eddie Pasquale on a breakaway. Zack MacEwen tallied the assist.
Alex Barre-Boulet tied the game at one with a power play at the 11:44 mark of the second period. The two teams traded chances down the stretch but the score would remain tied heading into the second intermission.
Graham put Utica back on top with a power play goal six minutes into the third period, ripping a slap shot from the point past Pasquale. Brendan Gaunce picked up the assist. McEneny extended the lead to 3-1 two minutes later, splitting the Crunch defense and chipping a shot into the back of the net. Tanner Kero collected the assist. Cory Conacher scored with 1:23 remaining in the third, but Gaunce drove the dagger into Syracuse with an empty-net goal 21 seconds later.
The Comets return to the ice Saturday afternoon against the Cleveland Monsters. Puck drop at Quicken Loans Arena is at 1 p.m. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL TV.
American Hockey League Stories from January 2, 2019
- Wolves Fall in First-Place Showdown - Chicago Wolves
- Sens Open 2019 with Defeat in Laval - Belleville Senators
- Gaudreau scores first AHL goal and Koivula extends goal-scoring streak to three games in shootout loss - Bridgeport Islanders
- Crunch Downed by Comets, 4-2 - Syracuse Crunch
- Demko, Boucher Lead Comets Past Crunch - Utica Comets
- Amerks, Cyclones Swap Forwards - Rochester Americans
- Phantoms Sign Steven Swavely to AHL Contract - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Bears Weekly #13: Hershey Opens New Year on Home Ice - Hershey Bears
- Pirri Earns AHL Player of the Month Honors - Chicago Wolves
- Smith Named CCM/AHL Goaltender of the Month for December - Bridgeport Islanders
- Jordan Kyrou Named AHL Rookie of the Month - San Antonio Rampage
- Pirri, Kyrou, Smith Named CCM/AHL Award Winners for December - AHL
- Senators Acquire Archibald from Vancouver - Belleville Senators
- Canucks Acquire McKenna, Pyatt and 2019 Draft Pick from Senators - Utica Comets
- Blues Assign Butler, Nolan to Rampage - San Antonio Rampage
- Meet MLS Star Gyasi Zardes at the Game Tonight - Bakersfield Condors
- Penguins Conclude 2018 with Consecutive Convincing Wins - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Manitoba Moose Weekly: January 2 - Manitoba Moose
- Red Wings Recall Lashoff, Griffins Summon Crawford - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Flames Recall Jon Gillies from Stockton - Stockton Heat
- Sound Tigers Begin 2019 Tonight in Rochester - Bridgeport Islanders
- Game Day Build-Up: Senators at Rocket, January 2 - 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.
