Ben Birnell

The Utica Comets have had trouble solving Lehigh Valley this season.

Each of the four meetings got there in a different way, but the result was similar Saturday as the Phantoms swept the season series and halted the Comets American Hockey League-best six-game winning streak.

Lehigh Valley never trailed after scoring 41 seconds into the game, and Alex Lyon totaled 36 saves to top the Comets 4-1 on Saturday before 8,681 fans at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The result was the Comets first loss in regulation since Feb. 19 and a 7-4 setback -- Utica led 2-0 in that contest -- to the Phantoms in Utica. Lehigh Valley also picked up 4-1 victories over Utica on Nov. 11 and Jan. 8.

With Saturdays loss, the Comets are 7-1-1-0 in the last nine games.

On Saturday, Cody Kunyk scored in the third period his sixth point in six games for the Comets (27-24-7-2, 63 points), who were without forwards Alex Grenier and Joseph LaBate due to recalls by the Vancouver Canucks. Rookie goaltender Michael Garteig was solid in his first start since being recalled from the ECHL on March 1, stopping 23 shots for the the Comets.

The Comets loss was a missed opportunity as they battle for a playoff position in the North Division with St. Johns, which picked up an overtime win over Syracuse on Saturday. The Comets are three points back of the IceCaps with 16 regular-season games remaining. The Cometshave two games in hand on the IceCaps.The Comets are two points behind Toronto.

The Comets conclude a three-game weekend when they take on the Binghamton Senators at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The Comets have won five consecutive home games.

First period

Despite the Comets peppering Lyon who was coming off a shutout in his last start -- with a season-most 18 shots, the Phantoms struck twice for a lead they would not relinquish.

Lehigh Valley wasted little time when a streaking Colin McDonald scored from the doorstep less than a minute in.

Then, the Phantoms answered again with a power-play goal with 10:26 remaining. With Darren Archibald serving hooking and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, T.J. Brennan scored 18th goal of the season on one-timer from the right circle.

It was the first power-play goal the Comets allowed in nine opportunities in the last three games. The Comets finished four-of-five on the penalty kill.

Second period

The Comets had good pressure again, totaling 12 shots for a 30-13 advantage, but couldnt solve Lyon.

Utica outshot the Phantoms 7-0 early, before the Phantoms added to their lead. Nicholas Aube-Kubel made it 3-0 scoring on a one-timer with 7:44 remaining.

Third period

The score remained the same until the Comets finally solved Lyon later in the period.

Kunyk struck with 6:44 remaining when he took a short pass from Jake Virtanen and stuff the puck through Lyons legs in front. Kunyks 12th goal of the season ended Lyons shutout streak at 113 minutes, 16 seconds. Curtis Valk also added an assist.

The Comets pulled Garteig with about two minutes left and continued to pressure, but the Phantoms added an empty-netter to seal the victory.

Phantoms 4, Comets 1

Utica 0 0 1 1

Lehigh Valley 2 1 1 4

1st Period-1, Lehigh Valley, McDonald 22 (Laughton, Bardreau), 0:41. 2, Lehigh Valley, Brennan 18 (Miele, Carey), 9:34 (PP). Penalties-Archibald Uti (hooking, unsportsmanlike conduct), 6:58; Morin Lv (tripping), 11:51. 2nd Period-3, Lehigh Valley, Aube-Kubel 8 (Miele, Conner), 12:16. Penalties-Morin Lv (interference), 1:44; Archibald Uti (elbowing), 20:00. 3rd Period-4, Utica, Kunyk 12 (Virtanen, Valk), 13:16. 5, Lehigh Valley, Sanheim 10 19:55 (EN). Penalties-Pedan Uti (goaltender interference), 1:11; Zalewski Uti (high-sticking), 9:17; Archibald Uti (fighting), 19:55; Morin Lv (unsportsmanlike conduct, fighting), 19:55. Shots on Goal-Utica 18-12-7-37. Lehigh Valley 9-4-14-27. Power Play Opportunities-Utica 0 / 3; Lehigh Valley 1 / 5. Goalies-Utica, Garteig 0-2-2 (26 shots-23 saves). Lehigh Valley, Lyon 24-11-3 (37 shots-36 saves). A-8,681 Referees-Terry Koharski (10), Tyler Puddifant (9). Linesmen-Tim Lyons (33), Jason Mandroc (17).

View original post here:

Phantoms snap Comets' win streak - Utica Observer Dispatch