COMETS ERUPT FOR SEVEN GOALS IN WIN OVER DEVILS
Dec 8, 2018Binghamton, N.Y. – Seven goals from seven different players helped pace the Utica Comets to a 7-4 victory over the Binghamton Devils on Saturday night at Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena.
The first period was an offensive parade for the Comets, who needed just 17 seconds to earn the opening goal. Reid Boucher tallied his 12th of the year and 100th career AHL goal with a give-and-go play up the ice with Tanner Kero after a steal. Jonathan Dahlen followed up with a power play goal less than three minutes later and the Comets advantage grew to two.
John Quenneville put the Devils on the board shortly after, beating Richard Bachman with a low wrist shot. The Comets ripped control right back with a long-range strike from Ashton Sautner, and Darren Archibald filled the top corner before the end of the period, sending Utica into the break ahead 4-1.
The second period maintained the fast pace and Binghamton cut into the Comets’ lead with Michael McLeod’s early goal. Re-establishing Utica’s three-goal lead, Jaime Sifers produced with a seeing-eye slap shot that dribbled through the legs of Mackenzie Blackwood. Before the period ended, the Devils clawed back to within two with a late power play conversion from Nathan Bastian.
Narrowing the margin even more in the early minutes of the third period, Binghamton used another power play to earn their fourth of the game. Tanner MacMaster opened the edge back up for Utica with a turning wrist shot from the right circle that leaked into the goal.
The Comets capped off the victory after Zack MacEwen walked the puck into an empty net that was vacated for an extra attacker in the closing minutes.
The Comets return to the ice Wednesday night when the Providence Bruins come to town. Puck drop at the Adirondack Bank Center is at 7 p.m. Fans are encouraged to use the ticket exchange site, StubHub!. The game can be heard on 94.9 KROCK and viewed on AHL TV.