The undefeated Utica Comets proved to be too much for the short-handed Belleville Senators.
Akira Schmid turned away 30 shots to backstop Utica past Belleville 4-1, which included an empty netter.
Utica extended their franchise record winning streak to start the AHL season to ten games.
The Comets scored once in the first period and again in the second before taking a 3-0 lead early in the third period. Belleville pulled goaltender Kevin Mandolese with about four minutes left in the third. The move paid off as Pontus Aberg scored at 16:55 to break up Schmid’s bid for his first professional shutout. A.J. Greer added an empty netter to seal the win for Utica.
Belleville was missing 16 players but still managed to split the weekend following a victory over Bridgeport on Saturday night. Four are injured and 12 have been called up by the Ottawa Senators who have 10 players in the NHL’s COVID protocol. Belleville hopes some will return in time for their next game, Saturday night against the Laval Rocket at the CAA Arena.
