Travis Ehrhardt Scores Twice to Lead Utica to 6-3 Win
Portland, ME – The Utica Comets (9-8-1-1) got two goals from defenseman Travis Ehrhardt and a goal and an assist from Mike Zalewski as the Comets downed the Portland Pirates (7-10-0-0) by a score of 6-3 on Saturday night at Cross Insurance Arena. The win was Utica’s fourth straight, while Portland has lost four in a row.Utica began the scoring just 2:30 into the game in a four-on-four situation. After Zalewski ripped a shot off of Pirates goalie Mike McKenna’s mask, the rebound went to Ashton Sautner, who put the puck by McKenna for his second goal of the season. Hunter Shinkaruk also got an assist.
Portland evened the score at 11:08 of the first as Garrett Wilson stole a puck in the defensive zone,
rushed up the right wing, then beat Utica netminder Joe Cannata to the stick side for a shorthanded goal, his first of the season. The goal was unassisted.
Utica retook the lead for good at 13:32 of the first when Ehrhardt scored his first of two, ripping a shot through traffic for his third tally of the season. Jon Landry and Carter Bancks got assists.
The Comets went up by two with a power play goal at 14:54 of the first when Niklas Jensen buried a quick pass from Linden Vey. Alex Grenier got the helper, his first of two on the night.
The Pirates cut into the lead at 1:50 of the second period as John McFarland netted his fifth of the season on a rebound with assists from Rob Flick and Greg McKegg.
Utica regained its two-goal cushion when Ehrhardt scored another goal off of faceoff through traffic, this time shorthanded, at 6:44 of the second. Bancks grabbed the only assist.
Portland again closed the gap to one with the Sena Acolatse’s third goal of the season just 59 seconds later. Shane Harper and Kyle Rau notched assists on the goal.
But, Utica scored a back-breaking goal at 5:08 of the third period when Zalewski broke down the right wing and beat McKenna to light the lamp for the fourth time this season. John Negrin got the only assist.
Alex Friesen then scored into an empty net with 1:07 left to close the scoring. Friesen’s third goal of the year was set up by Grenier and Alex Biega.
Cannata made 31 saves for Utica to improve to 6-5-1, while McKenna dropped to 6-7-0 on the season with 23 saves.
Utica was 1-for-2 on the power play, while the Pirates were held to 0-for-3.
The Pirates begin a three-game road swing in Springfield tomorrow against the Falcons at the MassMutual Center. Game time is at 5:00 p.m. “Voice of the Pirates” Jeff Mannix calls all the action, beginning with the Pirates Pregame Show, Served by Dunkin Donuts at 4:40 on the WPEI Portland Pirates Radio Network, Presented by Napa Auto Parts, on 95.9/95.5 FM.
The Pirates return home to the Cross Insurance Arena on Wednesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m., as they begin their longest home stand of the season against the Springfield Falcons. Call 207-PIRATES for tickets!
Pirates Holiday Packs are now on Sale! Get one while that last by calling 207-PIRATES or visiting portlandpirates.com!
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