ALL GOOD THINGS MUST COME TO AN END

Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Flames saw their winning streak come to an end at nine games as they fell to the Utica Comets 2-1 on Friday evening at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.

Emile Poirier put in a dynamic performance that resulted in Adirondack’s only goal of the evening, with assists coming from Bill Arnold and Nolan Yonkman. Joni Ortio turned aside 22 shots in defeat, his first loss in his last nine starts. Joacim Eriksson made 26 saves to earn the win while Cal O’Reilly and Wacey Hamilton scored for the North Division leading Comets.

Utica jumped out to an early lead just 3:41 into the game as O’Reilly potted his second of the season to make it 1-0. The Utica captain took a nice feed from Dustin Jeffrey and redirected the puck past Ortio from point blank range. Winger Alex Grenier also had an assist on the play as Utica opened the scoring for the third straight meeting with the Flames.

The visitors drew even with less than three minutes to play in the first, as Poirier took a breakaway feed from Arnold and neatly slotted the puck past Joacim Eriksson’s glove side. The goal was Poirier’s fifth of the season and third against Utica. Yonkman collected the secondary assist on the play

The Comets regained their one goal advantage with just 2:40 left in the second period as Hamilton was able to put a rebound past Ortio to make it 2-1. Michael Zalewski redirected a Henrik Tommernes shot from the point on net, which was denied by Ortio, before Hamilton knocked home the rebound for his second of the season.

The third period featured a spirited effort from the Flames, which resulted in three crossbars hit in the game’s waning stages, but no pucks in behind Eriksson. The Flames threw 11 shots on net and three that found the iron but could not extend their winning streak to an elusive tenth game.

The Flames return to the Civic Center tomorrow as they look to begin a new winning streak with the Grand Rapids Griffins in town. Saturday Night is Hockey Night, presented by Bud Light, will also feature two members of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal winning men’s hockey team, Dave Silk and Dave Christian, so be sure to secure your tickets so you can “Relive the Miracle.” Tickets are still available for tomorrow’s contest, as well as for all of the team’s home games this season. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com to be a part of Adirondack Flames Hockey.

Adirondack Flames Hockey Fired Up