Utica Splits Season Series with Charlotte, Loses 6-3 Sunday
April 13, 2025 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Utica Comets News Release
Charlotte, NC - The Utica Comets wrapped up their longest road trip of the season on Sunday afternoon with a matchup against the Charlotte Checkers at Bojangles Coliseum. Despite a fast start, Utica ultimately fell 6-3 as the two teams closed out their season series with two wins apiece.
The Comets came out strong in the opening period, jumping to a 2-0 lead within the first three minutes. Brian Halonen continued his scoring streak from the night before, capitalizing on a power play with a rebound goal following a Ryan Schmelzer shot. Just two minutes later, Jack Malone added to the tally, threading a wrist shot from the point past Charlotte goaltender Cooper Black.
Charlotte quickly countered. Former Comet Will Lockwood notched a shorthanded goal, followed by Eamon Powell's first professional goal to tie the game 2-2 by the end of the first period.
The Checkers seized control in the second frame. Brett Chorske opened the period with a quick strike off a perfect setup from Trevor Carrick. Charlotte's momentum continued with goals from Oliver Okuliar and Kyle Criscuolo, extending their lead to 5-2. Utica responded late in the period, as Xavier Parent took a long stretch pass from Schmelzer and rifled a shot into the top-left corner, narrowing the deficit. Max Willman appeared to cut the lead further but had a goal disallowed in the final seconds. After 40 minutes, the Checkers held a 5-3 advantage.
Charlotte secured the win in the third with an insurance goal from Riley Bezeau, closing the game at 6-3.
With the road trip complete, Utica now returns home for their final two home games of the 2024-25 regular season. In celebration of Fan Appreciation Week, the Comets are offering $10 tickets at uticacomets.com/tickets. Wednesday night features a team photo giveaway, and Friday offers Season Ticket Members the unique opportunity to paint the ice following the game.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from April 13, 2025
- Taylor Sets New Admirals Wins Mark - Milwaukee Admirals
- Monsters Battle to 6-5 Shootout Win over Marlies - Cleveland Monsters
- IceHogs Fall Just Short on Sunday in Milwaukee - Rockford IceHogs
- Stars Win Road Finale in Chicago - Texas Stars
- Wolves Fall to Stars 3-1 - Chicago Wolves
- Penguins End Weekend with 5-2 Win in Bridgeport - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins
- Penguins Spoil Islanders' Home Finale - Bridgeport Islanders
- Checkers Crush Comets 6-3 - Charlotte Checkers
- Wranglers Wrap up Season Series with 3-1 Win in Abbotsford - Calgary Wranglers
- Three-Time Cancer Survivor Will Francis to Make AHL Debut Tonight - San Diego Gulls
- Utica Splits Season Series with Charlotte, Loses 6-3 Sunday - Utica Comets
- Islanders' Bardreau, Thompson, Terry Suspended - AHL
- Griffins Sign Jacob Truscott to Two-Year Deal - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Capitals Re-Assign Terik Parascak to Hershey - Hershey Bears
- Rangers Recall D Matthew Robertson from Hartford Wolf Pack - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Forward Conor Geekie from Syracuse Crunch - Syracuse Crunch
- Preview: Islanders vs. Penguins - Bridgeport Islanders
- IceHogs and Admirals Meet for Sunday Battle - Rockford IceHogs
- Moose Edge Wild in Overtime - Manitoba Moose
- Silver Knights Drop Second of Series, 4-3, in Shootout - Henderson Silver Knights
- Reign Shut Out Barracuda - Ontario Reign
- Barracuda Shut Out By Reign 4-0 - San Jose Barracuda
- Abbotsford Fought Hard But Ultimately Fell, 3-1, Against the Calgary Wranglers - Abbotsford Canucks
- Landeskog, Miner Propel Eagles to 4-3 Shootout Win - Colorado Eagles
- Nyman Nets Two Goals In 4-2 Win Over Condors - Coachella Valley Firebirds
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.
