Game Story: Utica - 4 at W-B/Scranton - 1 (3/11/23)

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and Utica Comets both struck early Saturday night, but it was the Comets breaking the 1-1 tie later in the third period to the tune of three unanswered goals to score a 4-1 victory.

Simon Nemec (Utica) and Taylor Fedun scored goals 69 seconds apart in the opening 3:46 of the contest, with both resulting from similar offensive zone face-off wins by their respective clubs.

From there, it was a bit of a goaltender's duel with Isaac Poulter (24 saves - 25 shots) getting the better of Taylor Gauthier (25 saves - 28 shots) thanks to those aforementioned three unanswered Comets goals in the third period.

Brian Halonen broke the 1-1 tie with 7:23 left in regulation, finishing off a Ryan Schmelzer feed on a quick shot from the left-wing circle.

The back-breaking goal for the Penguins came after an errant turnover just inside the Pens' defensive zone blue line allowed Graeme Clarke to pick up a free puck and score on the resulting break-in to make it a 3-1 game with 3:52 left to play before Joe Gambardella added the empty net tally to complete the 4-1 final score.

After coming from behind to win their game in overtime last night, the Comets got off on the right foot early Saturday - with Aarne Talvitie winning an offensive zone face-off back to Nemec for a hard shot from the left point that eluded everyone on its way into the back of the net. It marked the eight goal of the season for Nemec, the New Jersey Devils' #2 overall pick from the 2022 NHL Draft.

The Penguins got it right back, though, in similar fashion just over a minute later as Tyler Sikura won an offensive zone draw back to the left point for a quick slap shot from Fedun that whistled past Poulter.

Just like that, a goal from each side in the opening 3:46 of play.

The back-and-forth action continued throughout the first frame, though the middle of the period didn't bring any more goals.

The Penguins had not one, but two power play chances late in the opening period but were unable to convert to break the 1-1 tie.

Things slowed down in the middle frame.

Utica had a pair of power play chances - one early in the period and one late in the frame - but like their counterparts were unable to break the 1-1 tie.

The Comets out shot the Penguins 9-5 in the period, though there weren't many Grade-A chances in the middle frame for either team.

Schmelzer was assessed a tripping minor in the closing seconds of the middle frame, setting the Penguins up with 1:53 of carryover power play time to begin the third, but the home team was unable to convert on that man advantage.

The two teams continued to grind away at one another until the Comets forced a turnover on a dump into the offensive zone, with Alexander Holtz getting the puck to Schmelzer before he found Halonen cutting to the net to give the Comets a go-ahead goal with under seven and a half minutes left in regulation.

Utica effectively iced it after a Sam Houde turnover doomed the Penguins as Clarke scooped up the loose puck and scored on an uncontested break-in on Gauthier to put the Comets ahead 3-1 in the final four minutes of play.

The Pens tried to pull Gauthier for the extra attacker, but to no avail as Gambardella skated a puck into the empty net to put a bow on the Comets' 4-1 win.

Post-Game EXTRA!

Utica Comets Head Coach Kevin Dineen

On tonight's Comets opponent exceeding expectations

"I mean, I'm so impressed with the way Wilkes Barre plays the game. They just play hard. They come at you. And you have to play with a little composure. I thought we did that for the most part."

On playing in a tight-checking, low-scoring game & the team needing to get used to playing in those kinds of games now

"We limited their chances against and I think that's been a little bit of our mantra, identity, whatever word you want to use. I thought we have that idea that if we play strong on the defensive side - and tonight would be a good example for us - because when it happens and you work like that, and you get paid off, there's a level of patience to your game. It's a good sign for your team. So we've seen that for the last couple of weeks, and it worked out tonight."

Utica Comets Lineup Notes

Isaac Poulter got the start for Utica Saturday in Wilkes-Barre. Jake Theut served as the Comets' backup goaltender.

Comets Scratches: Zachary Emond, Nico Daws, Michael Vukojevic, Jarrod Gourley, Jayce Hawryluk, Nolan Stevens, Nick Hutchison, Santeri Hatakka, Zack Hayes and Jeremy Groleau

Brian Halonen - Ryan Schmelzer - Alexander Holtz Joe Gambardella - Nolan Foote - Graeme Clarke Timur Ibragimov - Brian Pinho - Tyce Thompson Samuel Laberge - Aarne Talvitie - Filip Engaras

Zack Hayes - Reilly Walsh Tyler Wotherspoon - Simon Nemec Mason Geertsen - Robbie Russo

Isaac Poulter - Jake Theut

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Lineup Notes

Taylor Gauthier got the start in net for the Penguins Saturday night against the Comets. Dustin Tokarski served as the team's backup goaltender.

Jonathan Gruden returned to the Penguins lineup, slotting in at left wing in his first game back from injury.

Penguins Scratches: Filip Lindberg (injured), Colin Swoyer, Sam Poulin, Peter DiLiberatore, Ty Smith (injured), Andrew Nielsen, Ty Glover, Filip Hallander (injured) & Xavier Ouellet (injured)

Lines/Pairings:

Drake Caggiula - Sam Houde - Valtteri Puustinen Jonathan Gruden - Tyler Sikura - Lukas Svejkovsky Corey Andonovski - Raivis Ansons - Nathan Legare Jamie Devane - Justin Addamo - Kyle Olson

Mark Friedman - Mitch Reinke Jon Lizotte - Taylor Fedun Josh Maniscalco - Jack St. Ivany

Taylor Gauthier - Dustin Tokarski

GAME SUMMARY

1st Period

2:37: UTC - Nemec (8) - Talvitie 3:46: WBS - Fedun (3) - Sikura 14:27: UTC - (PP) Thompson, minor (high-sticking) 16:52: UTC - (PP) Thompson, minor (high-sticking) 18:46: WBS - (PP) Addamo, minor (high-sticking)

2nd Period

5:58: WBS - (PP) Lizotte, minor (tripping) 14:57: WBS - (PP) Olson, minor (roughing) 19:52: UTC - (PP) Schmelzer, minor (tripping)

3rd Period

12:37: UTC - Halonen (15) - Schmelzer, Holtz 16:08: UTC - Clarke - (21) - unassisted 18:45: UTC - ENG Gambardella (9) - unassisted

BOXSCORE

Utica Comets  1 - 0 - 3 = 4 W-B/Scranton  1 - 0 - 0 = 1

Shots

Utica Comets  11 - 9 - 9 = 29 W-B/Scranton  11 - 5 - 9 = 25

Goalies

UTC: Isaac Poulter (24 saves - 25 shots) WBS: Taylor Gauthier (25 saves - 28 shots)

Power Play

UTC: 0-for-3 WBS: 0-for-3

Penalty Kill

UTC: 3-for-3 WBS: 3-for-3