Comets Post Back-to-Back Shutouts for First Time Since 2024, Defeat Sens 1-0 for Sixth Straight Win

Nov 11, 2026

Utica, NY – The Utica Comets hosted the Belleville Senators on Veterans Day and pitched a 1-0 shutout. 

The first period featured an evenly matched pace and defensive style from both teams. The Comets' penalty kill was put to work in the first period as they were forced to kill off a total of three penalties including a 5-on-3 power play for Belleville who ranked second in the AHL on the man advantage coming into the game. The Comets, with the league's second-best penalty kill, held the Sens off the scoreboard. J Jakub Malek pulled his weight in net, stopping all eight shots that he faced in the first.

The pace picked up a few notches in the second period with the Comets generating some quality scoring chances and carrying the play. Senators netminder Kevin Reidler made some big stops and turned aside all 11 shots he faced in the middle frame. The Senators' best chance came on a 2-on-1, but Jakub Malek made a nice stop on a wrist shot from Blake Montgomery from the right circle.

The teams entered the third in a scoreless tie with the Comets on an abbreviated power play to start the period. Although they only had 30 seconds left to work with on their man advantage, the Comets did not let it go to waste as Ben Steeves made a sweet cross-ice dish to Xavier Parent who let one go from the left circle which deflected off the skate of Belleville defenseman Matthew Andonovski past Kevin Reidler to give the Comets the 1-0 lead at 0:30. It was Parent's fourth of the year as he extended his goal streak to three games with Anton Silaev picking up the secondary assist. The Sens pushed back as the period went along and Jakub Malek made some huge saves, his best of which came on a breakaway from Blake Montgomery from the red line in. The Senators pulled Reidler from the extra skater late in the game, but the Comets locked things down and held on for a 1-0 win. Jakub Malek turned aside all 19 shots that he faced as the Comets pitched back-to-back shutouts for the first time since March of 2024.  

The Comets outshot the Senators 27-19, while going 1-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill. 

The Comets are back home this Saturday against the Syracuse Crunch at 6 PM. For tickets, please visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070.