The Utica Comets overcame a two-goal deficit and scored the deciding goal with 30.8 seconds remaining to defeat the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins 4-3 Friday night at NBT Bank Arena.
The victory came after the Comets trailed 3-1 in the second period. Utica scored twice in an eight-second stretch to pull even before Dmitry Osipov gave the Comets their first lead of the night late in regulation.
Penguins build an early lead
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton opened the scoring 2:46 into the game when rookie Melvin Fernström sent a wrist shot over the glove of Utica goaltender David Rittich. Lenni Hämeenaho answered for the Comets two minutes later with a breakaway goal.
The Penguins regained the lead midway through the opening period when Avery Hayes created a turnover in the Comets’ zone, carried the puck into the slot and scored on a shot over Rittich’s glove. The shorthanded goal extended Hayes’ season-opening point streak to seven games and gave him his 100th AHL point.
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton added to its advantage at 5:43 of the second period. Atley Calvert set up Bill Zonnon for a one-touch shot from between the hash marks, making it 3-1.
Utica responds late
The Comets began their comeback when Ryan Schmelzer redirected a shot from the point. Eight seconds later, Shane Lachance scored on a shot that went under the crossbar, tying the game at 3.
The deadlock lasted until the final minute. Osipov scored with 30.8 seconds left in regulation to put Utica ahead for the first time. The Penguins called timeout after the goal but could not find an equalizer before time expired.
- Utica scored three consecutive goals after trailing 3-1.
- Osipov’s goal was the game-winner with 30.8 seconds remaining.
- Rittich and Joel Blomqvist each made 20 saves.
Blomqvist stopped 20 of 24 shots for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, which fell to 4-4-1-0. Rittich made 20 saves for Utica. The Penguins are scheduled to visit the Hershey Bears on Sunday for a 5 p.m. game.
