Three Unanswered Goals Give Comets Fans a Late Christmas Present
December 26, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Riding a 32-save performance from Richard Bachman, the Utica Comets ran their franchise-high road winning streak to eight games with a 3-1 win over the Rochester Americans at the Blue Cross Arena Saturday night.
Cole Cassels (1-0-1), Blair Jones (1-0-1), and Jordan Subban (1-0-1) each found the back of the net. The Comets were outshot by the Amerks 33 to 31 in the victory.
After Patrick Kaleta was able to goad Darren Archibald into an unsportsmanlike penalty, the Amerks' power play opened up the game's scoring 5:55 into the first period.
With the Comets pinned in their own zone, Chad Ruhwedel received a pass from Cal O'Reilly and wristed a shot from the high slot. The shot went wide and caromed off the end boards to the opposite side of the net. Defenseman Matt Donovan streaked in and scored his third of the season.
Four minutes the later the Comets pounced on a mistake by the Amerks' goaltender to tie the game back up. Andrey Makarov misplayed the puck in his crease where a mad scramble ensued. The goal light was turned on before the referee, Peter MacDougall, waived it off after consulting with his linesmen. After a brief video review, the call on the ice was overturned and Cole Cassels was credited with his first professional goal. Joseph LaBate, and Ashton Sautner picked up assists on the goal.
In the second period, the Comets narrowly missed cashing in on their fourth power play opportunity of the night when Jones scored his eighth of the year, mere seconds after Robak emerged from the penalty box. From along the boards at the blue line, Jones collected the puck, spun, and fired a quick wrist shot on net that sneaked over Makarov's shoulder, pinged off the post, and across the goal line. Danny Syvret picked up his third point in as many games, and Brendan Gaunce extended his point streak to four games.
Subban added an insurance goal in the third period and doubled the Comets lead when he rifled home a wrist shot from a step inside the blue line through heavy traffic in the slot, and past Makarov. The goal was the rookie defenseman's fifth goal of the season, which paces Comets blue liners.
The Comets improved their record to 15-10-2-2, and now sit just one point back of the third place St. John's IceCaps in the Western Conference's North Division, with 34 points.
The Comets get back to business tomorrow night when the Syracuse Crunch come to The AUD in this year's fourth installment of the Galaxy Cup rivalry. Puck drop is scheduled for 3p.m. Be sure to bring your skates! There will be a post-game skate with the players for season ticket holders.
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