MANCHESTER, N.H. – The Utica Comets dropped back-to-back playoff games for the first time this postseason after losing to the Manchester Monarchs 2-1 in overtime Sunday evening at the Verizon Wireless Arena. With the Comets Game 2 loss in the Calder Cup Finals, the Monarchs have now taken a 2-0 lead I n the series as the series shifts back to Utica.
After missing the last three games, Nicklas Jensen (1-0-1) scored the Comets lone goal. Jacob Markstrom put on another unbelievable performance by stopping 37 of the 39 shots the Monarchs put on net.
“This time of year, especially in overtime, a bounce here or bounce there decides it and they got the bounce tonight,” said Comets Head Coach Travis Green.
It looked like the two teams were ready to head into the second period with nothing on the board but the Monarchs capitalized on their second power-play of the night with just 54 seconds left in the period. A quick shot from Sean Backman from just above the right circle put the puck in the right spot for Zach O’Brien as he redirected the puck through Markstrom’s legs for his firs power-play goal of the postseason and the 1-0 lead.
Jensen tied the game back-up after he forced a turnover just inside the blue line. With a few steps in to the offensive zone, Jensen fired a slapshot into the top right hand corner of the net to make it a 1-1 game 1:12 into the second period.
With the Comets unable to produce in the third period with only one shot on net, the game was pushed into the second overtime in just as many nights.
Nic Dowd was the answer for the Monarchs just 5:36 into the first overtime period. David Van der Gulik was the providing force as he wrapped the puck around on Markstrom’s right side. The wrap-around caused enough havoc in the blue paint, which gave Dowd enough time to collect the puck and bang it in the mesh for the game-winning goal.
Sunday night’s game marked the Comets eighth playoff game this postseason to have gone to extra time and now have a record of 4-6 in playoff overtime games after losing their last three.
Regardless of the outcome, a bitter sweet ending is in store for the best fans in the American Hockey League as the series will be heading to Utica for the Comets last home games of the season at The Utica Memorial Auditorium. Game 3 is slated for a 7 p.m. puck drop on Wednesday followed by Games 4, 5* on Friday and Saturday*.
*If Necessary
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