Eight Is Just Great for Comets in Adirondack
February 6, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
A 4-2 victory was the perfect start to the Comets three-in-three weekend, and that's exactly what happened Friday night at the Glens Falls Civic Center after Utica downed the Adirondack Flames for the eighth consecutive time this season.
Nicklas Jensen, Dustin Jeffrey, Alex Friesen and Brendan Gaunce all scored for the Comets. Dustin Jeffrey's goal was his 14th of the season, which tied him with Brandon DeFazio for the team lead. Jacob Markstrom recorded his thirteenth win of the season and his sixth win against the Flames, as he saved 31 of the 33 shots he faced.
The Flames found their first goal of the night after the clock just pushed past the one-minute mark in the first period. After a heavy forecheck, Markus Granlund outworked Comets defensemen Alex Biega for the puck in the slot. Once he obtained possession of the puck, Granlund ripped one off and put it past Markstrom's glove hand for the 1-0 lead.
At 8:57 the Comets were awarded their second power-play opportunity of the night after Patrick Sieloff was directed towards the penalty box for a cross checking penalty. Just 38 seconds later the puck found it's way into the net after Jeffrey deflected a shot over the shoulder of Joni Ortio for the equalizer. Bobby Sanguinetti and Cal O'Reilly were credited with the secondary assists.
Just 23 seconds later, the Flames regained the lead after a shot from Sena Acolatse was tipped past Markstrom by Drew Shore, to give the Flames a 2-1 lead.
Adirondack's second goal didn't take the wind out of the Comets sails and that was clearly evident towards the end of the first period. Andrey Pedan got it all going for the Comets as he stepped up on the blue line for a slapshot. However, the puck decided to take an alternate route because it was blocked down before it reached the paint. Once the puck was loose in front, Mike Zalewski slid it across the crease and on to the stick of Gaunce, who punished the puck directly into the open net to make it a 2-2 game.
Another opportunity sprung up for the Comets towards the end of the second period after Garnet Hathaway took a slashing call at 14:01. With another power play in the palm of their hands, Alex Biega fired a shot one net. Standing at the top of the crease, Jensen re-directed the puck in to the mesh to make it 3-2. Brandon DeFazio tallied the secondary assist.
The game had the possibility of turning ugly for the Comets because with just less than three minutes left in the game, Alexandre Grenier took a hooking penalty. Shortly after Grenier was sent to the box, Ortio was pulled from net giving the Flames a 6-on-4 advantage over the Comets.
Fortunately, Friesen intercepted the puck during the Flames offensive efforts, and launched it to the other end of the ice and into the open net to seal the game for a final score of 4-2.
The Comets have added another two points to their overall standing (58) which has opened up a six-point gap between them and their North Division rivals (Adirondack Flames).
Even with Friday night's win over the Flames, the Comets have unfinished business at the Civic Center. Tomorrow night the Comets and the Flames will be back at it again for another 7 p.m. puck-drop in Glens Falls.
Three Stars: 1. UTI Nicklas Jensen (1 goal) 2. UTI Brendan Gaunce (1 goal) 3. ADK Markus Granlund (1 goal)
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