Utica, NY – The Comets have been welcomed by a terrific dwelling crowd on Opening Night time on the Adirondack Financial institution Middle however have been sadly shutout by the Cleveland Monsters 1-0.
The probabilities got here early for Utica, beginning with an influence play within the first interval when Brian Halonen wrang a shot off the publish, almost giving the Comets a 1-0 lead. Shane Lachance had a breakaway later within the interval after intercepting a cross-ice go within the impartial zone however was stopped by Cleveland goaltender Ivan Fedotov and almost buried his personal rebound which went off the facet of the web.
The Comets hit one other publish within the 2nd interval, coming off the stick of Shane Lachance after a pleasant setup from Colton White. Cleveland, nonetheless, began to seek out their stride and finally discovered the again of the web on the 13:35 mark of the 2nd interval when Caleb MacDonald’s shot was blocked by Calen Addison, bounced proper to Roman Ahcan, who fed James Malatesta for a again door tap-in to provide the Monsters the 1-0 lead.
Utica hit yet one more publish within the third interval when Mike Hardman almost beat Fedotov excessive blocker facet, however the Cleveland netminder acquired one other fortuitous bounce from the iron. The Comets pulled goaltender Nico Daws late within the third however have been unable to seek out the equalizer.
The Monsters outshot the Comets 27-21, and each groups have been 0-for-3 on the facility play. Nico Daws made 26 saves, incomes third star of the sport. Ivan Fedotov earned first star within the 21-save shutout effort.
It’s a fast turnaround for each groups with the second recreation of the weekend collection arising tomorrow at 3 PM. The pregame festivities will characteristic a red-carpet entrance from 12-2 PM at 72 Tavern & Grill the place followers can have the possibility to get photos and autographs from Comets gamers, coaches, and New Jersey Devils’ personnel. For tickets, please go to uticacomets.com/tickets or name 315-790-9070.
