HARFF: PACK CAUGHT IN COMETS VAPOR TRAIL
VERSUS
Utica Comets 5, Hartford Wolf Pack 1
BY: Ben Harff, Hartford Wolf Pack
Hartford, CT, January 7, 2018 – Reid Boucher scored a hat trick and added an assist for the Utica Comets, and Michael Carcone had a goal and two assists, in a 5-1 Utica victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack Sunday at the XL Center.
Utica opened the scoring 4:35 into the first period, when Boucher, in his first game back from a recall stint with the parent Vancouver Canucks, ripped a shot in the top corner past the glove hand of Wolf Pack goaltender Alexandar Georgiev. Assists were credited to David Dziurzynski and Jalen Chatfield.
At 13:28, the Comets received their second power play opportunity, when Ryan Graves was whistled for boarding. Just 33 seconds into the man-up situation, Boucher struck again, scoring his second goal of the game, and 15th on the season. Philip Holm and Carcone earned the assists on the play.
Hartford battled and created some offensive chances throughout the period, but the Pack would remain scoreless for the first 40 minutes.
“Their defenseman did a real good job of keeping us away from the front of the net,” said Wolf Pack head coach Keith McCambridge, “but when we did have some chances, we were sending shots from the point.”
The second frame had a similar start to the first. At the 6:57 mark of the second, Brandon Crawley picked up a two-minute interference penalty. Utica wasted no time scoring on this chance, as Carcone let a shot go from the point and Darren Archibald tipped it past Georgiev in front of the net. Boucher also assisted on the play.
No goals were scored again until the Pack foiled Utica goaltender Richard Bachman’s shutout bid at the 11:17 mark of the final frame. That was on Hartford’s fifth power play chance, with Philip Holm off for high-sticking.
The Wolf Pack swung the puck around on the power play, and Peter Holland was able to put a shot past Bachman from the right-wing boards, off of a defender in front.
Less than a minute later, at 12:12, the Wolf Pack found themselves on their heels again when Boucher cashed in for a hat trick, as he deflected Dylan Blujus’ shot from the point.
The final tally came at 16:53 after the Wolf Pack had pulled Georgiev for an extra attacker. The Comets grabbed possession and Carcone tapped in an empty net goal to complete his three-point night.
Utica finished the game 2-for-6 on the power play, against a Wolf Pack penalty kill that had been 10-for-10 in the previous four games and 30-for-34 in the previous 11.
“It’s hard when you’re playing three [games] in three [nights],” said McCambridge after the game. “That’s a real battle to have to kill that many penalties.”
The Wolf Pack’s next action is this Wednesday night, January 10, when they head to Bridgeport to battle the Sound Tigers, the first of four straight road games for Hartford. Faceoff is 7:00 PM and all of the action can be heard live on News Radio 1410 WPOP, and online at newsradio1410.com and iHeartRadio. Video streaming is available at ahllive.com.
The next home game for the Wolf Pack is next Friday, January 19, when the Comets are back for a 7:15 contest. As at all Friday-night Wolf Pack home games, fans can enjoy $1 hot dogs and $2 beers through the start of the second period, presented by Dave & Buster’s.
Utica Comets 5 at Hartford Wolf Pack 1
Sunday, January 7, 2018 – XL Center
Utica 2 1 2 – 5
Hartford 0 0 1 – 1
1st Period-1, Utica, Boucher 14 (Dziurzynski, Chatfield), 4:35. 2, Utica, Boucher 15 (Holm, Carcone), 14:01 (PP). Penalties-Graves Hfd (hooking), 0:11; Sautner Uti (slashing), 10:18; Graves Hfd (boarding), 13:28; MacEwen Uti (delay of game), 19:38.
2nd Period-3, Utica, Archibald 5 (Carcone, Boucher), 7:40 (PP). Penalties-Holm Uti (interference), 4:41; Crawley Hfd (interference), 6:57; DeAngelo Hfd (slashing), 8:56; Herbert Hfd (hooking), 17:07.
3rd Period-4, Hartford, Holland 12 (Pionk, DeAngelo), 11:17 (PP). 5, Utica, Boucher 16 (Blujus, Cameranesi), 12:12. 6, Utica, Carcone 8 (Dziurzynski, Archibald), 16:53 (EN). Penalties-Sproul Hfd (hooking), 3:00; Woods Uti (slashing), 5:33; Holm Uti (high-sticking), 10:37; Cherniwchan Uti (slashing), 13:51.
Shots on Goal-Utica 10-11-8-29. Hartford 11-9-12-32.
Power Play Opportunities-Utica 2 / 6; Hartford 1 / 6.
Goalies-Utica, Bachman 3-7-2 (32 shots-31 saves). Hartford, Georgiev 4-10-5 (28 shots-24 saves).
A-2,877
Referees-Reid Anderson (49), Geoff Miller (28).
Linesmen-Nick Briganti (58), Luke Galvin (2).
Related articles
Related
Related posts
Top picks
ROAD WARRIORS LOST TO RABBITS; SWAMP RABBTS IMPRESSIVE IN DEFEAT
SOLAR BEARS TAKE SERIES LEAD WITH OVERTIME WIN Orlando puts Greenville on the brink despite Colton Young’s 3-point night, Bobby Russell’s pair of goals By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite a high-scoring affair, the Greenville Swamp Rabbits fell to the Orlando…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
WOLF PACK TO PLAY BRUINS IN ATLANTIC SEMIS
WOLF PACK TO FACE PROVIDENCE BRUINS IN ATLANTIC DIVISION SEMIFINALS Foes Faceoff For Second Straight Postseason HARTFORD, CT—For the second straight postseason, The Hartford Wolf Pack and Providence Bruins will face off in the Atlantic Division Semifinals. This series will follow a 2-2-1 setup, with the…
GARAND AND WOLF PACK ELIMINATE CHECKERS IN 3
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack CHARLOTTE, NC – Dylan Garand made a playoff career-high 39 saves on Sunday afternoon to help the Hartford Wolf Pack complete their First Round series victory over the Charlotte Checkers. The Wolf Pack used a five-on-five, powerplay, and shorthanded…
CALDER CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE RELEASED
By: Jason Chaimovich, American Hockey League SPRINGFIELD, MA – The AHL Playoff Games begin on Tuesday: OPENING SCHEDULES ANNOUNCED FOR 2024 CALDER CUP PLAYOFFS The American Hockey League has released the following schedules for the 2024 Calder Cup Playoffs opening series, including the best-of-three First…
WOLF PACK DROP SEASON FINALE 4-2 TO BRUINS
By: Alex Thomas, Hartford Wolf Pack PROVIDENCE, RI – The Hartford Wolf Pack concluded their 2023-24 regular season on Sunday afternoon at the Amica Mutual Pavilion in Providence. A third-period tally from the home side proved the difference, as the Bruins took a 4-2 decision….
SWAMP RABBITS ANSWER BACK IN GAME 2
Eberle nets game-winner; three multi-point performers shine in win BY: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—Tanner Eberle broke a deadlock in a wild third period to headline the Greenville Swamp Rabbits’ Game 2 win over the Orlando Solar Bears by a 4-2 score on Monday…
SWAMP RABBITS DROP GAME 1 in OT
Spencer Kersten ends a 72-minute game to steal Game 1 from Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – Spencer Kersten ended a marathon goalie duel to give the Orlando Solar Bears a lead in the South Division Semifinals, 1-0, over the Greenville…
SWAMP RABBITS SCHEDULE FOR SOUTH DIVISION SEMIFINALS
Swamp Rabbits and Solar Bears begin a best-of-seven series this Sunday in Greenville By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits, proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, announced the full schedule for the 2024 Kelly Cup Playoffs…
ANDREW LORD NAMED ECHL COACH OF THE YEAR
Fourth-year bench boss becomes first in both franchise and Greenville hockey history to receive recognition By: Mark Binetti, Greenville Swamp Rabbits GREENVILLE, SC—The ECHL announced today that Andrew Lord, Head Coach/General Manager of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits, a proud ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Los…