On Tuesday in Bridgeport, Connecticut, the Utica Comets suffered a 2-1 defeat against the Bridgeport Islanders, extending their difficulties in away games. The Comets briefly tied the score early in the third period, but the Islanders quickly regained the lead and held on for the victory.
After a scoreless first period, Bridgeport opened the scoring 2:41 into the second period when Matthew Maggio beat Utica goalie Jakub Malek by shooting over his blocker. The Comets responded early in the third period when Austin Strand‘s left-wing shot created a rebound that Marc McLaughlin converted from the right circle, tying the game at 1:31. Strand and Nathan Legare assisted on the goal. Shortly after, Utica had an opportunity to take the lead, but Bridgeport’s goalie Marcus Hogberg denied Matyas Melovsky’s second-chance attempt with a left pad save.
Later in the third, Matthew Highmore capitalized on a pass from Alex Jefferies, deflecting the puck past Malek to restore the Islanders’ one-goal advantage with just over six minutes remaining. The Comets were outshot 28-22 and failed to score on two power-play chances.
Team Performance and Upcoming Schedule
Utica’s road record dropped to 5-13-3-1, a winning percentage of .318, placing them at the bottom of the AHL’s Eastern Conference standings. Overall, the Comets stand at 14-24-5-3, ranking last in the North Division. The team now faces a demanding stretch of three games in three days, beginning with Friday’s game against the Hartford Wolf Pack at 7 p.m. on the road.
The Comets will return home on Saturday at 6 p.m. to face the Laval Rocket in a commemorative game celebrating 100 Years of Comets Heritage, during which they will wear special jerseys honoring the Clinton Comets. The following day, Utica will host the Rocket again in a 3 p.m. start.
Four Players Recalled to New Jersey Devils Roster
On Wednesday, the New Jersey Devils, Utica’s NHL affiliate, officially recalled four players as their team resumed practice. Forwards Lenni Hämeenaho and defenseman Colton White were expected recalls, as neither had participated in games with the Comets since the team returned from the AHL All-Star Break. Both players are anticipated to fulfill roles with the Devils for the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
Additionally, veteran defenseman Dennis Cholowski and goaltender Jakub Malek were recalled. The Devils noted that Malek was called up
“as a Practice Goaltender per NHL Olympic regulations,”
reflecting roster adjustments due to the Olympic tournament running through Sunday. The duration of their stay with the Devils remains uncertain given the ongoing competition.
It has yet to be confirmed which goaltender from the ECHL Adirondack team will be called up to join Utica alongside Nico Daws.
Match Recap Highlights and Impact on Season Outlook
The narrow 2-1 loss highlights the Comets’ ongoing challenges securing wins on the road, which continues to affect their standing in the highly competitive Eastern Conference. Despite spirited moments, such as McLaughlin’s tying goal and pressure in the third period, defensive lapses and missed power-play chances contributed to the defeat.
With several key players recalled by New Jersey, the Comets will look to adjust their lineup while navigating a dense game schedule. The weekend series against the Laval Rocket, including the heritage-themed game, offers an opportunity to boost morale and potentially improve their position in a struggling season.
