Comets Open Season in Providence with 2-1 Win Over Bruins
Oct 2, 2026Providence, RI– The Utica Comets kicked off the 2026-27 campaign in Providence with a 2-1 victory at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
The Comets started off the first period of the new season in style when Ryan Schmelzer set up Gabe Klassen, who wired home a wrist shot from the right circle past the blocker of Bruins netminder Jiri Patera at the 4:31 mark to give the Comets a 1-0 lead in his Comets debut. Defenseman Vlad Kolyachonok picked up the secondary assist. The Bruins nearly tied the game on the power play later in the period but the Comets got some help as a shot from the point deflected off the post on the blocker side of Comets goaltender David Rittich and stayed out.
The Comets continued their strong defensive play in the second period which included killing off three more Providence power plays. The Comets added an insurance tally late in the frame when Ben Steeves, also making his Comets debut, deflected a shot from Matyas Melovsky past the blocker of Jiri Patera to make it 2-0 at the 17:59 mark of the second. Lenni Hameenaho picked up the secondary assist.
The Comets came out strong in the third period and found the back of the net when Riley Tufte scored on a rebound off a shot from Mikael Diotte, but after a Providence coach’s challenge, the goal was called back when the play was deemed to be offside. A few minutes later, the Bruins got on the board when Brendan Gaunce snapped a wrister through the pads of David Rittich to make it 2-1 at 5:45 of the third. Ivan Ivan and Joey Abate picked up the assists. The Comets were able to hold the Bruins at bay for the remainder of regulation. David Rittich stood tall in net late in the game as the Bruins threatened to tie it with the goalie pulled, but the Comets prevailed to a 2-1 victory to kick off the new season.
The Comets outshot the Bruins 24-21, while going 0-for-2 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Less than 100 tickets remain for the Comets' Home Opener. To watch the Comets take on the Rochester Americans at NBT Bank Arena next Saturday, October 10th at 6 PM, please visit uticacomets.com/tickets or call 315-790-9070.