Ben Birnell

UTICA The Utica Comets are playing some of their best hockey.

For the second time this week, their strong effort was enough to get past veteranJaroslav Halak and the Atlantic Divisions Bridgeport Sound Tigers to improve their American Hockey League-best win streak to six games.

Michael Carcone scored the eventual game-winner, and Thatcher Demko stopped 23 shots to help the Comets earn another gritty 2-1 win over the Sound Tigers before an announced crowd of 3,870 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Comets also won 2-1 on Sunday in Utica.

"Really, top-to-bottom our team-game was good. We didn't give up a lot anddefended hard," said Comets coach Travis Green, whose team is 7-0-1-0 in the last eight games.

On the winner, Pascal Pelletier worked the puck behind the net on the left side and flipped it through the crease to a cutting Carcone in front, where the rookie punched it past Halak for his second of the season with 13:24 remaining in the game.

"You have to make (Halak) move and get in his face," said Carcone, who with linemates Pelleter and Borna Rendulic had a solid game. "You have make sure he doesn't see pucks. Because if does, he'll probably stop it."

Demko, who has allowed seven goals in six consecutive starts, made some big stops throughout in another solid performance. Rookie Curtis Valk added his 15th of the season in the second period for the Comets, who were without points leader Alex Grenier after the forward was recalled before Fridays game.

The victory matches Utica'slonges streak this season and pushed the Comets (27-23-7-2, 63 points) to their fifth consecutive win at home. The win was important was for Utica as theybattle for fourth place in the North Division with St. Johns, which beat Rochester 3-2 on Friday. Utica, which has 17 regular-season games remaining, is one point back of St. Johnswith two games in hand. The top four teams in each division make the playoffs.

Halak, the NHL veteran who entered Friday among the AHL's best goalies, totaled 26 saves for the Sound Tigers (36-20-2-1). Three of Halaks four losses in regulation this season have come against the Comets.

First period

Both Demko and Halak made some key stops to keep the game scoreless through 20 minutes.

The Comets, who led 12-7 in shots, had a good chance with about 3 minutes. After a turnover, Carcone found Pelletier on a 2-on-0 on the right side, but Halak slid over to make the save on the veteran forwards one-timer.

Later, Demko stopped Ryan Pulock'sgood lookthrough traffic from the right point.

Second period

The Comets controlled and broke the tie late on a nice effort between Jake Virtanen and Valk.

The goal came with Cole Cassels and Kyle Burroughs off after short but good scrap. Virtanen got the puck from Cody Kunyk, broke into the zone on the left side and sent a cross-ice pass to a streaking Valk, who buried a backhanded shot high past Halak with 5:08 left.

It snapped a nine-game goalless streak for Valk. It was the third assist in four games for Kunyk.

Demko was tested later on Bridgeports lone power play. However, he turned aside good chances from Devon Toews, Michael Dal Colle and Bracken Kearns on the doorstep with 33 seconds left to keep the Sound Tigers at bay.

Third period

The teams traded goals about three minutes apart to make things interesting.

The Comets answered first with Carcone's goal for a two-goal cushion. Green was happy with play line.

"They were really good," Green said. "It was nice to see Carcone get rewarded."

However, Bridgeport didn't go away. The Sound Tigers broke up the shutout when Kellen Jones fooled Demko with a shot from the high slot with 10:20 to play.

Bridgeport continued to pressure, but the Comets were tough. Demko made a big blocker stop on Joshua Winquist with about two minutes left. Halak was pulled with 1:15 left, but the Comets held off the Sound Tigers.

"He's been outstanding," Carcone said of Demko. "He's been a big part of these wins."

Up next

The Comets hit the road to play Lehigh Valley at 7 p.m. Saturday at the PPL Center. Lehigh Valley has won all three meetings against Utica this season.

NOTES: Fridays game was the Comets 86th consecutive sellout, though there were some unfilled seats throughout the Aud. The team has sold out 71 consecutive regular-season games. Wacey Hamilton (week-to-week) and Derek Hulak (39 consecutive games) each missed the game with injuries. The teams meet for the final time this season March 18 in Bridgeport.

Comets 2, Sound Tigers 1

Bridgeport 0 0 1 1

Utica 0 1 1 2

1st Period- No Scoring.Penalties-B. Holmstrom Bri (slashing), 0:42; Markison Bri (hooking), 12:31.

2nd Period-1, Utica, Valk 15 (Virtanen, Kunyk), 14:52. Penalties-Burroughs Bri (fighting), 14:36; Cassels Uti (fighting), 14:36; Rendulic Uti (hooking), 17:02.

3rd Period-2, Utica, Carcone 2 (Pelletier), 6:36. 3, Bridgeport, K. Jones 4 (Burroughs, Toews), 9:40. Penalties-Markison Bri (tripping), 2:32; Billins Uti (diving/embellishment), 2:32.

Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 7-9-8-24. Utica 12-10-6-28.

Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 1; Utica 0 / 2.

Goalies-Bridgeport, Halak 15-4-3 (28 shots-26 saves).

Utica, Demko 15-11-4 (24 shots-23 saves).

A-3,870

Referees-Dave Lewis (46), Chris Brown (86). Linesmen-Jim Harper (59), Rob Sauda (99).

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Comets edge Sound Tigers again - Utica Observer Dispatch