COMETS HOST SUCCESSFUL PUCKS FOR PAWS NIGHT

Apr 1, 2026

Utica, NY– The Comets hosted the Providence Bruins on Wednesday night and lost 3-2 in a shootout.  

The opening period featured an even pace from both teams, with the Comets having a slight edge in terms of quality scoring chances. Their best chance came on a late developing 3-on-2 rush when Topias Vilen fed Kyle Criscuolo at the top of the crease, but Providence netminder Michael DiPietro made a nice pad save to keep the game scoreless. The Comets had one power play in the first when Providence defenseman Victor Soderstrom was called for delay of game, but the Bruins killed it off. Jakub Malek stopped all eight of the shots he faced in the first period. 

It was a defensive battle for most of the second period with neither team giving up many chances in their own end. Play started to open up as the period went along and the Comets would get on the board at the 14:30 mark when Josh Filmon made a beautiful move in the high slot around Providence defenseman Billy Sweezey and then ripped a shot low blocker side past Michael DiPietro to make it 1-0 on his fourth of the year which came unassisted. The Bruins would answer before the end of the period when Michael Callahan let a shot fly from the point that was tipped by John Farinacci, which beat Jakub Malek stick side at the 17:25 mark to make it a 1-1 game on his eighth of the year. Brian Halonen found himself on a breakaway shortly thereafter in the final minute of the period, but DiPietro made a terrific glove save to keep the game tied. 

The pace continued to build in the third period with both teams trading chances. The Bruins would grab their first lead of the game when Matej Blumel deflected a shot from Billy Sweezey at the 11:18 mark for his 18th of the year to make it 2-1. Just over a minute later, however, the Comets tied it when Ethan Edwards raced down the left wing and found Mike Hardman parked in front who jabbed one past DiPietro to make it 2-2 for his ninth of the year at 12:22. Calen Addison picked up the secondary assist to extend his point streak to five games. 

The teams headed to overtime for the second time in the season series, but more hockey would be required after no scoring took place in the extra session. Providence outshot Utica 2-1 in the overtime.  

After Angus Crookshank gave the Comets the lead in the first round of the shootout, Riley Tufte answered for the Bruins to tie it at one in the second. The next three shooters for each team were denied, and then in the sixth round, Providence forward Matej Blumel beat Jakub Malek with a wrist shot low glove side to give the Bruins the advantage. Ryan Schmelzer shot next with a chance to keep the Comets alive, but Michael DiPietro made the stop as the Bruins prevailed. The Comets picked up a well-earned point to move within five of Rochester for the final playoff spot in the North. 

The Comets were outshot by the Bruins 34-25, while going 0-for-5 on the power play and 2-for-2 on the penalty kill. 

The Comets are back home on Saturday at 6 pm against the Belleville Senators for Country Night. For tickets or more information, fans can visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070.