Utica Jr. Comets NCDC Stun South Shore Kings With Weekend Sweep

Saturday, November 9, 2019

South Shore Kings (5-9-2) – 2
Utica Jr. Comets (7-8-3) – 5

The Jr. Comets stepped onto the ice on a mission to continue their red-hot winning streak. The game proved to be entertaining within the first minutes of the game as Utica’s Radek Prosek powered past South Shore’s defense forcing them to take him down which drew a penalty shot. Prosek capitalized on the opportunity finding the back of the net and giving his team the early lead at 3:34 in the first. The scoring continued for the Comets with defensemen Kevin Sadovski slamming it home to extend their lead to 2-0 at the end of the first.

This match continued to be entertaining with three more goals scored in period two, Walter Bauman at 2:29 in the 2nd and newcomer Michael Kocsis declared his presence in Utica with a goal at 3:44. Kocsis is on his fifth team of the season after playing for Jamestown (NAHL) Jersey Shore (USPHL Premier), and the Rochester Monarachs (Premier & NCDC) before making the move to to Utica.

South Shore remained a formidable opponent working to put one up on the board on a goal from Kevin MacKay. The game remained a chess match in the third both competitors looking for opportunities to score in the third. South Shore banged one past Comets goaltender Isak Johansson at 5:32 in the third with a goal from Gellon assisted by Howse and Alvera. Giampapa’s empty netter sealed the win for Utica. Johansson stood tall again in the net turning away 41 out of 43 shots tallying his sixth win of the season.

This is clearly a group that is laser focused and playing with a new-found confidence. After losing numerous early matches like a shootout loss to P.A.L. Islanders and two overtime losses to IHC and Northern Cyclones in October, the Comets have remained committed to their process and trusted Coach Kelly’s system which is now paying off.

BOX SCORE

Sunday, November 10, 2019

South Shore Kings (5-9-3) – 2
Utica Jr Comets (8-8-3) – 3 (OT)

The Comets returned to the barn on Sunday looking to prove this team is not a fluke. They were met by a gritty and unwavering Kings team who was seeking revenge after a loss the night prior.

South Shore came out with a vengeance Sunday taking the lead in the first on a goal from Rene Trothan. This was the only scoring in the first. The second period consisted of tactical neutral zone battles and strategic checking between the two teams. A virtual chess match one waiting for the other to make a mistake. The Kings extended the lead with only 2 seconds left in the second on a rifle off a face-off. Kings Goaltender Eric Voloshin was unflappable in the first two periods stopping all twenty-three shots from the Comets.

In the third period the Comets unlocked the vault scoring a power play goal from Aleksei Monakhov, assisted by Christopher-Robin Ericson and Kevin Sadovski. they continued to battle and tied up the game at 16:24 of the third when Ole Henrik Arneson scored his second of the season.

This match would require OT to declare a winner. The Comets won the opening face off and maintained possession in the open ice three on three quest for victory. Ryan Brandt would be the hero in this game when he hustled down the ice and let a snap shot fly from the circle. The puck rang off the back bar just a few thousands of a second before the buzzer sounded to end the overtime. It was the only shot on goal the Comets managed in overtime. South Shore had 7. Isak Johansson was the victor between the pipes claiming the victory with 38 saves.

Coach Kelly shared a few thoughts on the team’s recent success “Guys have been doing things the right way starting in practice. South Shore came in and out worked us at times, but good teams find ways to win, we were fortunate to do so. We play three hard working teams at this weekend’s upcoming showcase so we will need to have good preparation over the next few days and be focused for three games in three days.”

BOX SCORE