Comets can't hold first period lead, suffer season-ending loss to Toronto in Game 4

UTICA – The pleas from the thousands in the stands failed to make their way down to the ice.

The flock of spectators howled for the Utica Comets to “SHOOT THE PUCK,” but often, the Comets lacked the urgency needed.

And for a squad facing elimination such as the Comets, that ended up a problem.

The lights went out on Utica’s 2022-23 season Friday night, 200 days since the lights literally powered off at the Adirondack Bank Center in the Comets home opener.

More: Utica Comets home opener postponed after power outage at Adirondack Bank Center

The top-seeded and North Division winner Toronto Marlies will face the winner of the series between the Rochester Americans and Syracuse Crunch, with game five set for Saturday night in ‘Cuse.

Meanwhile, the 4-1 loss and 3-1 series defeat ends the Comets' season in the North Division Semifinals of the Calder Cup Playoffs for the second year in a row.

Last season's ender: Utica Comets bounced from playoffs by Amerks after squandering third-period lead

Utica coach Kevin Dineen acknowledged the squad lacked the urgency required in an elimination game.

“I don’t think there was a lack of effort,” Dineen said. “I think there were details that crept in during the season that crept in again today.”

Among the issues Dineen noted were line changes, decision-making with the puck and a weakened level of predictability.

Here are some takeaways from the defeat:

Comets began with urgency, and it shows

After the Comets' 5-2 game three loss, Dineen said his group needed to play composed but with desperation in game four.

More: Comets turn cold in third, lose to Toronto Marlies 5-2 to fall behind in AHL playoff series 2-1

After a brief feeling out moment, Utica displayed that. Nico Daws, who was 33-36, made some critical saves, and the team got on the scoreboard halfway through when Xavier Parent snuck one past Marlie goalie Erik Kallgren.

For the rest of the frame, Utica continued to pound Kallgren, whose entry into the starting lineup for game three energized the Marlies. The 26-year-old stood tall, though, and the score remained 1-0 after one.

Comets associate captain Joe Gambardella said Kallgren looked poised in net.

“We had some really good chances to bear down and finish,” Gambardella said. “Unfortunately, didn’t go our way, but credit to him. He’s a solid goaltender.”

Second period shift

The magic the Comets generated in the first melted like snow in the sun. Five minutes into the second, Toronto’s Carl Dahlstrom tied it up.

Midway through the period, the Marlies changed the course of the game with two goals in 40 seconds. Matteo Pietroniro put them ahead, and moments later, the Comets sagged on defense, which Logan Shaw capitalized on.

3-1, Marlies.

Dineen said the team recognized the game slipped away but didn’t react well to it.

Gambardella said the Comets let off the gas in the second.

“There’s good players in this league, and you got to play a full 60 minutes,” he said. “They took advantage. We pushed back though, every second.”

The third period resulted in more of the same as any faint attempt put up by the Comets was shunned by Kallgren. The Marlies tallied an empty net goal with two seconds left.

Different Comets team arrived in Utica

The Comets squad that crossed back into the U.S. after game two looked drastically different than the one at the Aud Wednesday and Friday night.

In the two games in Ontario, the Comets scored a combined 12 goals, which included an impressive seven in game two.

But in Utica, the squad tallied just three goals in the two games and were outscored in total 9-3.

“We are at our best when we apply pressure, and I thought we just played a 50-50 game instead of recognizing the opportunity that we played a solid game in their building,” Dineen said. “They came in vulnerable.”

Gambardella identified the Comets' struggles on the power play throughout the series, which continued Friday as Utica went 0-3.

Despite floundering a chance to see a home win, Gambardella praised Uticans for their commitment.

“They’re the extra man on the ice,” he said. “It’s such an honor and privilege to play here. They’re probably the best crowd to play in front of.”

Reflections on the season

The loss marks the conclusion of an up-and-down, occasionally infuriating season for the Comets, a team that snuck into the playoffs but finished with 15 fewer points than the season before.

Dineen said the season served as a steppingstone for some players, but a reality check for others.

“The pro game, whether it’s coming from junior or college, there’s a level of learning that goes along with it, and that’s not always a smooth road,” Dineen said. “Overall, I think it was a mixed bag.”

A seven-year AHL veteran, Gambardella has experienced many season-ending defeats, but they don’t get any easier.

“It takes a few days to digest, but I’m proud of the group we have in there,” he said. “It’s been a fun year for us.”

Noah Ram is the sports reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Noah Ram at nram@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: AHL Playoffs: Utica Comets season ends in North Division Semifinals to Toronto