COMETS FALL IN FINAL GAME OF SERIES WITH CRUNCH
Mar 9, 2022Utica, NY – The Comets took on their I-90 rival in the 11th addition of the Empire Recycling Cup against the Syracuse Crunch coming off back-to-back victories against them on the road. This time, in Utica, it was an overtime victory for the visiting Crunch, 3-2.
In the first period, the Comets started the scoring with a goal coming from captain Ryan Schmelzer as he deflected the Tyler Wotherspoon pass into the cage behind Syracuse goalie Max Lagace at 3:09. This put the Comets up 1-0 through twenty minutes of play.
In the second period, at 7:46, Alex Barre`-Boulet was able to get the puck past goaltender Akira Schmid, to tie the game 1-1. But it was rookie sensation Alex Holtz who gave the comets the lead again when his wrist shot beat Lagace low on the glove side at 11:36. The goal, Holtz’s team leading also leads all AHL rookies in goals scored. At 17:59 into the period, Crunch’s Remi Elie was able to sneak a shot by Schmid, tying the game. The score after forty minutes is 2-2.
In the third period, there were no goals scored. Throughout regulation, the Crunch outshot the Comets 22-21, and a tie game at 2-2.
In overtime, despite the chances for the Comets on the power-play during the extra session, it was Darren Raddysh who left the box and struck for a shot that beat Schmid with just 0.6 seconds left on the clock. The Crush skated away with pull away a win 3-2.
The Comets are back in action Friday night against the Toronto Marlies inside the Adirondack Bank Center at 7:00 PM. They will follow up with a game against Rochester on Saturday night at 7:00 PM. Tickets are still available for both contests. You can purchase them by going to uticacomets.com/tickets.