COMETS HOST CLEVELAND BACK-TO-BACK
Feb 11, 2022A Rare Loss: The Comets stepped onto the ice in Springfield against the Thunderbirds, the same team they defeated last Saturday night at home, and the result was not what the Comets wanted, losing to the Atlantic Division Thunderbirds by a score of 3-2.
In the opening period, the Comets allowed the first two goals of the contest after Springfield forward Will Bitten deflected a point shot through Utica netminder Akira Schmid at 2:16. The Thunderbirds followed up with a power-play goal when Hugh McGing took the cross-ice pass and lifted a backhander over the catching glove of Schmid at 3:57. This gave Springfield a 2-0 lead. The Comets, undeterred, scored a power-play goal to slice the deficit in half when a one-timer by Fabian Zetterlund sailed over the net, hit the glass behind the Springfield goalie Charlie Lindgren and bounced into the cage. The strange bounce at 6:30, assisted by Robbie Russo was Zeterlund’s 17th goal of the season which leads the team.
During the middle frame, the only goal was struck by rookie sensation, Alexander Holtz when he fired a puck down the left-wing side and sent the puck off the far post and in behind Lindgren at 15:47. Holtz scored his 14th goal of the season and it was assisted by Nate Schnarr. The game was 2-2 after forty minutes of play.
In the final period of regulation, the Thunderbirds forward Alexey Toropchenko’s wrister beat Schmid low on the glove side just 59 seconds into the third period. In the final minute to play of regulation, with the netminder Schmid pulled, the Comets tried but couldn’t find the back of the net to tie the contest and Springfield skates away with the victory.
Comets Leading Scorers: The team’s leading scorer heading into the week is Chase DeLeo who has registered 10 goals and 25 assists for 35 points in 27 games played. Following him is Fabian Zetterlund with a team leading 17 goals and 17 assists for 34 points in 35 games played. Reilly Walsh leads all d-men in scoring with six goals and 24 assists for 30 points in 39 games. Alex Holtz is the team’s leading rookie scorer with 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points in 25 games. Tyler Wotherspoon leads the team in plus/minus with a +21 rating but is off the represent Team Canada at the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
The Standings: The Comets remain atop the North Division with 38 games played and 27 victories. Holding a record of 27-7-5 gives Utica 59 points which is 14 points ahead of the next team, the Toronto Marlies. The Marlies have played three fewer games that Utica as of today. The Comets winning percentage of .756 ranks them at the very top of the entire league. In their last 10 games played, the Comets are 7-2-1.
Save of the Day Jerseys!! The Comets revealed their 2021-22 Save of the Day Foundation jerseys. The team will wear them on March 9th, 11th and 12th. Those three games represent our annual Save of the Day Week. All of the jerseys will be autographed and given to fans through raffles and auctions. All proceeds will benefit the Save of the Day Foundation.
The Save of the Day Foundation is committed to enhancing the lives of children and families throughout the Mohawk Valley and partnering with other charitable community organizations. The Foundation is devoted to raising funds annually through special events, a partnership with the Utica Comets and Utica City FC organizations, and direct fundraising activities to benefit the Mohawk Valley community. For Information about how to get one of these special jerseys, visit www.uticacomets.com