Utica extended its winning streak to six games Wednesday, shutting out the Belleville Senators 1-0 at home. The victory also gave the Comets back-to-back shutouts for the first time since March 2024.
The game remained scoreless through the first two periods as both teams played a defensive game. Utica goaltender Jakub Malek stopped all 19 shots he faced, including eight in the opening period and a breakaway chance by Belleville’s Blake Montgomery in the third.
Parent breaks the tie
Utica converted quickly on a shortened power play to begin the third period. With 30 seconds remaining on the advantage, Ben Steeves sent a cross-ice pass to Xavier Parent, who scored from the left circle at 30 seconds of the period. The puck deflected off the skate of Belleville defenseman Matthew Andonovski before going past goaltender Kevin Reidler.
The goal was Parent’s fourth of the season and extended his goal streak to three games. Defenseman Anton Silaev received the secondary assist.
Belleville increased its pressure after falling behind, but Malek kept the Senators off the scoreboard. Belleville pulled Reidler for an extra attacker late in the game, and Utica protected the one-goal lead through the final seconds.
Special teams and team totals
Utica faced an early test on the penalty kill, including a Belleville 5-on-3 opportunity. The Comets killed all three first-period penalties and finished 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. They went 1-for-3 with the man advantage.
- Final: Utica 1, Belleville 0
- Shots: Utica 27, Belleville 19
- Goal: Xavier Parent at 0:30 of the third period
- Goaltending: Jakub Malek, 19 saves and a shutout
The Comets return to the Adirondack Bank Center at the Utica Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 6 p.m. against the Syracuse Crunch. Syracuse enters the matchup after a 5-0 loss to Laval Wednesday and has lost three straight games. Utica defeated Syracuse 5-2 in the teams’ first meeting of their 12-game season series on Nov. 6.
