COMETS HEAD TO ROCHESTER WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Dec 8, 2021Comets Drop Contest in Overtime to Islanders -- The Comets lost their second game of the season and first on the road when they were defeated by Bridgeport Islanders 3-2 in overtime on Saturday in the first matchup of the season between the two teams.
In the opening period, Nolan Foote put the Comets on the board as he walked into the Islanders zone and fired a shot past Bridgeport goalie, Corey Schneider at 2:48. The goal was Foote’s fourth of the year and assisted by Graeme Clarke. The Islanders answered back at 19:04 when a two-on-one rush developed from the neutral zone. Richard Panik sent the puck to an open Seth Helgeson two beat Akira Schmid to tie the game at 1-1. The goal ended back-to-back shutouts for Schmid.
In the middle frame, Islanders forward Simon Holmstrom struck to give Bridgeport a 2-1 lead after he found a loose puck that he fired between the legs of Schmid and into the net at 1:31. Towards the culmination of the second period, the Comets found themselves on the wrong side of a five-on-three powerplay but with the strength of great saves from Schmid and excellent work from the penalty killers, the team held on without giving up a goal and left the period down 2-1.
In the final period of regulation, it was Reilly Walsh who tied the game on a wrist shot that beat Schneider at 17:06. Clarke registered his second assist of the night on the goal. The game headed to the extra session where Panik scored just 43 seconds on a breakaway lifting the Islanders to the win.
Colton White Returns: The London, Ontario native and New Jersey Devils fourth round draft pick in 2015, Colton White returns to the Comets lineup after a stint with the Devils. Playing in six games with New Jersey this season, White dressed in one game with the Comets thus far this season with his second game expected to be against Rochester on the road against the Americans. Over four seasons of his professional career, White skated in 17 NHL games with New Jersey and registered his first NHL point this season with an assist.
The Standings: The Comets continue to lead the North Division of the Easter Conference with 18 games played and a record of 16-1-1. The 33 points accumulated by the Comets is 11 points ahead of the Rochester Americans who have played one less game than the Americans. Rochester’s record, 11-6 is good enough for the second spot in the North. The last ten game segment for Utica is 8-1-1 with Rochester it’s 6-4. In the league this far, the Comets have allowed the fewest goals against with 33 compared to the 58 given up by tonight’s opponent in Rochester. Rochester has scored 69 goals in 17 games which puts them in the top spot for goals scored amongst AHL teams.