THREE-GOAL PERIOD DOOMS COMETS IN LOSS TO THUNDERBIRDS
Mar 10, 2018Springfield, Mass. – The Utica Comets fell to the Springfield Thunderbirds by a score of 4-0 Saturday night at the MassMutual Center.
Anthony Greco gave the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead halfway through the first period, firing a wrister past Richard Bachman for the shorthanded goal. Ryan Horvat had the assist.
Alexandre Grenier extended the lead to 2-0 six and a half minutes into the second period with a power play goal. Chase Balisy and Ludwig Bystrom were credited with the assists. Jayce Hawryluk made it 3-0 with 3:54 to go in the middle frame. Bobby Farnham and Curtis Valk collected the assists. Sam Kurker added a goal 30 seconds later to make it 4-0 Springfield. Balisy registered the lone assist.
The Thunderbirds defense stood tall in front of netminder Samuel Montembeault in the final period to secure the victory.
Bachman finished with 27 saves and his record falls to 10-11-4. Montembeault recorded 17 stops to earn his second shutout of the year and improve his record to 13-17-3. The Comets power play went 0-5, while the penalty kill allowed one goal in four attempts.
The Comets return to the ice Friday, March 16 as they host the Laval Rocket. Puck drop at the Adirondack Bank Center is at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to utilize the ticket exchange website, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL Live.