Ben Birnell

Try as they might, the Utica Comets have not been able to find success this season in Toronto.

In three meetings, Utica had come up short in each at their North Division rivals home. Unfortunately for the Comets, the result was the same in Uticas final visit to Toronto this season. Special teams played a role in a rare Tuesday meeting.

Kerby Rychels second power-play goal of the game broke a tie game in the third period and helped the streaking Marlies edge the slumping Comets 4-2 on Tuesday before 2,944 fans at Ricoh Coliseum.

The win pushed the fourth-place Marlies three points ahead of the Comets (18-19-6-2, 44 points) in the North Division to set up a big meeting Friday between the teams at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Comets are 0-3-1-1 since a six-game winning streak.

Darren Archibald, playing in his 300th regular-season American Hockey League game, scored his career-best 15th goal of the season to give Utica an early lead and Colby Robak also added a goal for the Comets, who outshot the Marlies 31-25. Defenseman Evan McEneny continued a recent hot streak with two assists while the Comets got another solid start from Richard Bachman, who stopped 21 shots in his ninth start in 10 games. He is winless in his last four starts.

Garret Sparks, who entered the game with2.08 goals-against average,allowed two or fewer goals for the fifth time in six starts for the Marlies (22-21-2-1, 47 points), who have won seven of their last nine games.

First period

The Comets controlled much of the frame, outshooting the Marlies 14-9, but the teams traded power-play goals and were tied after 20 minutes.

Utica pressured the Marlies early and grabbed the lead with 7:29 remaining. With Seth Griffith off for tripping, the Comets put a shot on goal and there was a scramble in front. It was there that Archibald tapped in his second power-play goal in any as many games from the left side to help the Comets tally their fourth power-play goal in as many games. The Comets finished 1-for-5 on the power play.

The Comets continued to pressure until the Marlies got their first power-play goal of the season. With Robak off hooking, a fluttering puck in front ricocheted off Rychels skate and in with 2:54 left.

Second period

The teams again traded goals and were knotted at 2 in a period mostly controlled by the Marlies.

Less than two minutes in, Byron Froese put Toronto ahead 2-1 on a shot from the right circle that trickled in past Bachman.

The Comets had their chances and were able to get the tying goal just before the period ended on a nice play between Michael Carcone, McEneny and Robak. On the goal, Robak took a cross-ice feed from Carcone and one-time his third goal of the season past Sparks from the left circle with 57 remaining.

Third period

The Marlies regained the lead for good with about seven minutes remaining with another tally on the man-advantage. Toronto also added an empyut

With Wacey Hamilton in the box for holding, Rychel got the game-winner when he weaved through the defense and scored from the slot with 7:12 remaining. The Marlies, who finished 2-for-2 on the advantage in the game, have scored 10 power-play goals on 30 chances against the Comets.

Bachman was pulled late and Richard Clune added an empty-netter to seal the win.

Up next

The Comets and Marlies meet for the second of three meetings this month Friday in Utica. The teams also meet next Wednesday in Utica. Including Tuesdays game, the Comets play 11 contests in 19 days this month. The Comets play Saturday at Springfield before hosting Syracuse at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Notes: McEneny has nine points (4-5-9) in his last nine games. Derek Hulak, Joseph LaBate and John Negrin remain out with injuries. Marco Roy, Cole Cassels and Andrey Pedan were also scratches for the Comets. The Vancouver Canucks announced Tuesday that forward Anton Rodin is out approximately six months to recover following successful knee surgery. Rodin played three games with the Comets on a conditioning assignment in December, totaling an assist.

Marlies 4, Comets 2

Utica 1 1 0 2

Toronto 1 1 2 4

1st Period-1, Utica, Archibald 15 (Valk, McEneny), 12:31 (PP). 2, Toronto, Rychel 10 (Johnsson, Froese), 17:06 (PP). Penalties-Griffith Tor (tripping), 11:45; Loov Tor (high-sticking), 15:41; Robak Uti (hooking), 16:11. 2nd Period-3, Toronto, Froese 20 (Moore, Griffith), 1:03. 4, Utica, Robak 3 (Carcone, McEneny), 19:03. Penalties-Loov Tor (tripping), 14:56. 3rd Period-5, Toronto, Rychel 11 (Johnsson, Griffith), 12:48 (PP). 6, Toronto, Clune 3 (Gauthier), 19:43. Penalties-Corrado Tor (tripping), 1:59; served by C. Smith Tor (bench minor - too many men), 8:12; Hamilton Uti (holding), 11:29. Shots on Goal-Utica 14-9-8-31. Toronto 8-9-8-25. Power Play Opportunities-Utica 1 / 5; Toronto 2 / 2. Goalies-Utica, Bachman 9-10-2 (25 shots-21 saves). Toronto, Sparks 11-6-0 (31 shots-29 saves). A-2,944 Referees-Ben Moser (3), Chris Ciamaga (13). Linesmen-Andrew Smith (96), Libor Suchanek (41).

Here is the original post:

Utica Comets fall again in Toronto - Utica Observer Dispatch