After picking up victories over a pair of North Division rivals the previous two days, the Comets put together another solid effort against the Atlantic Divisions Bridgeport Sound Tigers to extend their winning streak.

UTICA It was a big weekend for the Utica Comets.

After picking up victories over a pair of North Division rivals the previous two days, the surging Comets put together another solid effort against the Atlantic Divisions Bridgeport Sound Tigers to extend their winning streak to five games and earn all six possible points during the weekend.

On Sunday, Joseph LaBates wrister from the slot with 40.1 seconds remaining in the second period helped the Comets edge the Sound Tigers for a gritty 2-1 victory in front of an announced sellout crowd of 3,870 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium. The teams play again Friday in Utica.

"To get all three (wins during the weekend) is obviously phenomenal," said Comets coach Travis Green, whose team is 6-0-1-0 in the last seven games. "(Sunday) was just a complete game."

The victory was important for the Comets (26-23-7-2, 61 points), who are in the thick of the North Division playoff race. Utica is battling for fourth place with St. Johns, which picked up a 3-0 victory over Toronto on Sunday. Utica, which has 18 games remaining, is one point back of St. John's with a game in hand. The top four teams in each division make the playoffs.

"Obviously, thats our goal: To keep climbing toward the playoffs," said LaBate, who added an assist. "This weekend was a great start. We just need to keep it going."

Carter Bancks also scored in the first period in support of rookie Thatcher Demko, who totaled 24 saves for his fifth consecutive victory. Demko, who was coming off his first professional shutout Saturday and has allowed two or fewer goals in each of the five starts, improved his record to 14-11-4 this season. Utica has won four consecutive home contests and are 13-12-4-1 at the Aud this season.

Jaroslav Halak, the National Hockey League veteran, made 27 saves for the Sound Tigers (35-19-2-1). Halak is 14-3-3-2 this season, with two losses in regulation coming against the Comets.

First period

Utica controlled much of the opening frame, totaling 12 shots and limiting the Sound Tigers without one for the first 10 minutes.

For the third consecutive game, Utica got the games first goal.

On the play, Bancks took a short pass from LaBate and fired from the right circle through traffic in front, hitting the right post and in for his eighth of the season with 8:19 remaining. Wacey Hamilton also assisted.

"I tried to set up a screen. I was yelling at him to shoot it," LaBate said with a laugh. "He had a great shot. I dont think there was much to shoot at."

Second period

The teams traded even-strength goals, with the Comets getting one late in a back-and-forth period.

The Sound Tigers rallied to tie the game with about 10 minutes left. After Bridgeport won a faceoff in the Comets zone, Ryan Pulock fired from the blue line on the right side past Demko to make it 1-1. The goal ended Demkos shutout streak of 97:33.

Utica answered with less than a minute left. Cole Cassels sent a pass to LaBate, who broke in the zone, cut around one defender and put shot past Halak's glove for his fourth the season.

"I got my feet moving and saw there was a lane, and I just tried to get it on net," LaBate said.

Third period

Both teams had some good chances throughout the period, but both teams made key big stops to keep the game close.

Tom Nilsson made a good defensive play with about seven minutes left, breaking up a good short breakaway opportunity by Tom Rowe to keep the Comets ahead.

"He hasnt played in awhile and steps in and makes a big play at the end of the game. At this time of the year, thats what its all about," Green said.

The Sound Tigers continued to pressure and pulled Halak late, but Demko and the Comets remained tough to preserve the victory.

NOTES: Sundays game was the Comets 85th consecutive sellout, though there were some unfilled seats throughout the Aud. Hamilton did not play in the third period. After the game, Green said Hamilton was injured. Jordan Subban (second consecutive game; upper-body injury), Pascal Pelletier, Andrey Pedan, Derek Hulak (38 consecutive games) and John Negrin (25 consecutive games) were not in the lineup.

COMETS 2, SOUND TIGERS 1

Bridgeport 0 1 0 1

Utica 1 1 0 2

1st Period-1, Utica, Bancks 8 (LaBate, Hamilton), 11:41. Penalties-Kearns Bri (boarding), 1:35; Rowe Bri (slashing), 8:28; LaBate Uti (tripping), 14:42. 2nd Period-2, Bridgeport, Pulock 12 (Toews, Winquist), 9:34. 3, Utica, LaBate 4 (Cassels, Robak), 19:19. Penalties-Archibald Uti (boarding), 5:09; Hamilton Uti (boarding), 9:44; J. Holmstrom Bri (cross-checking), 12:50. 3rd Period- No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties Shots on Goal-Bridgeport 5-8-12-25. Utica 12-6-10-28. Power Play Opportunities-Bridgeport 0 / 3; Utica 0 / 3. Goalies-Bridgeport, Halak 14-3-3 (28 shots-26 saves). Utica, Demko 14-11-4 (25 shots-24 saves). A-3,870 Referees-Jeremy Tufts (78), Andrew Wilk (57). Linesmen-Francois Dussureault (60), Jason Brown (44).

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Utica Comets extend winning streak to 5 - Utica Observer Dispatch