UTICA — The Utica Comets couldn’t overcome a 5-0 deficit and lost 5-2 in an American Hockey League game to the Laval Rocket at home Saturday night.
Dyson Stevenson and Jonah Gadjovich scored for Utica. Michael DiPietro got the start in goal, making five saves on nine shots before being replaced by Jake Kielly, who made 11 saves.
Laval scored on the power play 11:09 into the first period then doubled the lead with 4:14 to go in the first. They’d score again 52 seconds into the second period on another power play. They capitalized on a turnover in the Comets defensive zone to go up 4-0. Kielly replaced DiPietro following the goal. They scored again to carry a 5-0 lead into the second intermission.
Stevenson ended Laval’s shutout bid 3:35 into the third, tipping a shot from Matt Petgrave. Gadjovich cut the lead to 5-2 with 6:16 to go in regulation, redirecting a pass from Carter Camper.
The Comets are back in action Wednesday night on the road against the Rochester Americans. Puck drop is at 7:05 p.m.
