Glens Falls, NY – The Adirondack Flames were unable to solve the puzzle against North Division rivals, the Utica Comets, as they fell 2-1 on Friday evening at the Glens Falls Civic Center.
The Flames were not shy on offense, as they ended the game with 44 shots on goal. Defensively the Flames allowed Utica just 15 shots, the fewest shots taken by a team all season against the Flames.
Bill Arnold continued to perform offensively, as he collected Adirondack’s only goal of the game, his third goal in the team’s past four games. The goal gives Arnold 19 points for the season (9-10-19) and puts him in 12th place in the AHL for rookie performances so far this season.
Arnold’s goal was the first of the night, as the Flames opened the scoring 13:13 into the game. Arnold, waiting in the high slot, deflected captain Nolan Yonkman’s shot past Utica goalie Jacob Markstrom. Yonkman received the primary assist and Bryce Van Brabant recorded the secondary assist.
A little more than two minutes later, Utica’s Kane LaFranchise got one past Joni Ortio to knot the game at one. Ronalds Kenins and Alex Biega recorded assists on the play, which closed the scoring for the first period.
Despite holding the Comets to just four shots in the second period, Utica was able to capitalize when Henrik Tommernes took a pass from Cal O’Reilly and buried it into the back of the net to take its first lead of the game 4:29 into the middle period. Kenins recorded a secondary assist on the goal, which gave him two for the night.
Both teams skated to a scoreless third period. The Flames added 13 more shots in the period, totaling 44 for the game, but were unable to get anything past Markstrom. Adirondack pulled Ortio as the clock wound down, but after taking multiple consecutive shots the Flames were unable to capitalize with the one-man advantage.
This was the Flames’ fourth one-goal loss to the Comets, who are currently in first place in the Western Conference. The Flames will, however, get another chance to crack the code against Utica, with six more games left in the series.
The Flames are back in action tomorrow evening as they take on the Rochester Americans with start time slated for 7:00 p.m. Tickets are still available for the contest. Visit the Flames box office, call 518-480-3355, or order online at glensfallscc.com to be a part of Saturday Night is Hockey Night in Glens Falls.
Adirondack Flames Hockey • Fired Up