Ben Birnell

The Utica Comets special teams clicked at the right time against the Albany Devils.

For the second time in as many days, Uticas penalty kill and power-play units each scored goals. This time, though, strong efforts from Darren Archibald and Jordan Subban helped key a comeback against their North Division rival.

Subbans power-play blast which busted the water bottle on the net with 6:37 remaining helped cap a two-goal third period and help the Comets rally past the Devils 3-2 in a rare Monday afternoon game in front of an announced crowd of 2,469 at the Times Union Center in Albany. It was the fourth time in 23 games the Comets won when trailing after two periods.

The defensemans heavy shot followed Archibalds game-tying goal and helped the Comets (21-23-6-2, 50 points) score an important win over Devils (30-23-1-1, 62 points). The Comets, who snapped a two-game skid with the victory, are 3-7-1-1 in their last 12 games. The Comets are five points back of St. Johns in the division with 24 games remaining in the regular season.

The Comets, who are 4-1-1 against the Devils this season, finished 1-for-6 on the power play, while stopping each of Albanys six power-plays.

Borna Rendulic continued a five-game point streak with a goal to help support goaltender Richard Bachman, who turned in a solid performance with 33 saves to improve his record to 12-11-2-1 this season. It was the eighth one-goal game for the Comets, who are 13-8-6-2 in such contests this season.

First period

Utica controlled play for much of the opening 20 minutes, but couldnt find a way to put one of its 14 shots past Mackenzie Blackwood (32 saves).

Bachman wasnt tested much, but had solid stops on back-to-back chances with about seven minutes remaining, including one from Ryan Kujawinski.

However, the Devils took a 1-0 lead on their sixth shot of the game not long after the Comets second power play ended. After a solid Comets chance against Blackwood, the Devils went the other way and Carter Camper scored past Bachman with 3:07 left.

Second period

The battle continued with the teams trading goals 21 seconds apart and the Devils keeping their one-goal advantage. The teams combined for 28 shots.

For the fifth consecutive game, Rendulic figured into the Comets first goal of the game. After a turnover at center ice, Marco Roy back in the lineup after 11 games as a healthy scratch pushed the puck to Rendulic, who broke into the zone and scored his eighth of the season over Blackwoods glove with 11:56 remaining.

The Devils answered on the ensuing faceoff, though when Kujawinski scored to put Albany up 2-1 with 11:35 left.

Both Bachman and Blackwood were solid the rest of the frame, turning aside some solid chances.

Third period

The Comets' comeback started less than five minutes into the frame.

Archibald's career-season continued when hemade it 2-2 with his team-best 16th goalwith 15:36 remaining.On the goal, the forward snapped a five-game goalless streak when he broke into the zone shorthanded and stuffed the puck just past Blackwoods skate on the left side of the crease. It was the fourth consecutive Comets' game a shorthanded goal was registered.

The Comets grabbed the lead on their sixth power play of the game with under seven to play. With Andrew MacMillian off after boarding Archibald, Evan McEneny sent a pass to Subban, who busted the water bottle, sending the puck past Blackwood from the top of the left circle. It was Subbans team-best eighth goal on the man-advantage.

The Devils pulled Blackwood late, but Bachman and the Comets shut the door for the win.

Up next

A busy schedule Utica plays a total of five games this week continues Wednesday when the Comets play their second game this season in an NHL arena against the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m. at KeyBank Arena in Buffalo. The game is scheduled to be on MSG (channel 16 in the Utica area). In the last meeting between the teams Dec. 31, Rochester picked up a 6-3 victory in Utica.

NOTES: Rendulic has five goals and two assists in the last nine games. McEneny has a four-game point streak. Cody Kunyk had a four-game point streak end. The Devils have allowed nine shorthanded goals this season. Derek Hulak (32 consecutive games), John Negrin (19 consecutive games) and Mike Zalewski (two consecutive games) all missed Mondays game with injuries.

Comets 3, Devils 2

Utica 0 1 2 3

Albany 1 1 0 2

1st Period-1, Albany, Camper 5 (Straka, Jacobs), 16:53. Penalties-Stollery Alb (high-sticking), 7:53; Pedan Uti (checking to the head, fighting), 10:13; Quenneville Alb (fighting), 10:13; Gibbons Alb (cross-checking), 14:43; Thomson Alb (tripping), 18:27. 2nd Period-2, Utica, Rendulic 8 (Roy, Pelletier), 8:04. 3, Albany, Kujawinski 4 (Rooney), 8:25. Penalties-Robak Uti (high-sticking), 5:34; Lappin Alb (slashing), 13:36; Pelletier Uti (slashing), 15:50. 3rd Period-4, Utica, Archibald 16 (Cassels), 4:24 (SH). 5, Utica, Subban 12 (McEneny), 13:23 (PP). Penalties-Sexton Alb (slashing), 1:14; Bancks Uti (slashing), 3:34; Cassels Uti (high-sticking), 9:42; MacWilliam Alb (boarding), 12:01; Shields Uti (tripping), 13:52. Shots on Goal-Utica 14-12-9-35. Albany 8-16-11-35. Power Play Opportunities-Utica 1 / 6; Albany 0 / 6. Goalies-Utica, Bachman 12-11-2 (35 shots-33 saves). Albany, Blackwood 11-8-2 (35 shots-32 saves). A-2,469. Referees-Peter Tarnaris (17), Michael Mullen (7). Linesmen-Mike Emanatian (69), Francois Dussureault (60).

Link:

Comets' special teams key in comeback win - Sports - Uticaod ... - Utica Observer Dispatch