Friday, October 30, 2020
Utica Jr. Comets (3-4-0-0) – 5
Jersey Hitmen (3-7-0-2) – 6
The Jr. Comets Premier team came up one goal short in a high-scoring, penalty filled game. The two teams combined for a total of 90 shots and 76 penalty minutes. Utica outshot Jersey 50-40 including a 21-7 advantage in the third period, but they also accumulated 52 minutes in penalties compared to 24 from the Hitmen. However, 30 of those penalty minutes were assessed to two players. Adam Brzezicki was given a major and game misconduct for fighting at 10:58 of the second. Brennan Ash was then given a major and game misconduct 2:50 into the third for grabbing the face mask.
The first period was pretty evenly played and it showed on the scoreboard. Tyson Rohrer scored his fourth goal of the season to give Utica a 1-0 lead at the 12:15 mark of the first. Jersey scored a late goal to tie the game at one with only 33 seconds remaining in the period.
Jersey scored another four unanswered goals over a 12 minute span in the second period to take a commanding 5-1 lead halfway through the game. Starting goalie Anthony Lore was pulled following the fifth Hitmen goal. He finished with 21 saves on 26 shots in 32:43 of action. A power-play goal at 16:22 began the comeback surge from the Comets. Zack Quinton and Drazen Medich assisted on the Anthony Morin tally. Morin struck again 1:26 later for his fourth of the season to narrow the gap to 5-3. Quinton and J.D. Speer both picked up their second assists of the game on the goal.
Only 2:50 into the third Morin finished off the hat-trick. He scored his fifth goal of the season to bring the Comets within one goal, Speer and Rohrer assisted. After playing catch up most of the game, Utica finally knotted the game at five goals a piece at the 13:53 mark of the final period. Daniel Quartapella picked up his first point of the season with an assist on the Coby Smith goal. Unfortunately, the lead only lasted for 50 seconds. The Hitmen took a 6-5 lead with what turned out to be the game winning goal at 14:43 of the period.
Colin Frost who came in to relieve Lore finished with 13 saves on 14 shots in a total of 27:17 of ice time.
TOP PERFORMERS
Anthony Morin - 3 Goals
J.D. Speer - 3 Assists
Tyson Rohrer - 1 Goal, 1 Assist
The Comets Premier schedule hasn’t been finalized yet as hockey is still not allowed to be played in New York State. Right now their schedule shows their next four games taking place in New York aainst the P.A.L. Islanders, Elmira Jr Enforcers, and Connecticut Junior Rangers.
