Utica Sets New AHL Sellout Record, But Rally Falls Short

AHL President and CEO David Andrews was among those in attendance at the Adirondack Bank Center on Friday night as the Utica Comets set a new AHL record for consecutive regular season sellouts.

Friday's game marked 121-straight games. Factoring in home playoff games (which is not part of this record total), the number of consecutive home sellouts for Utica is now approaching 140.

Canadian hockey fans of the St. John's IceCaps' held the previous record 120.

While being interviewed inside the arena on Friday, Andrews noted that in just over five years in the league, Utica has hosted two AHL All-Star Classics, Calder Cup Finals games and posted a new sellout mark.

Despite the excitement of the history making night, and a furious rally down the stretch, the Comets fell to the Cleveland Monsters by a 4-3 final.

Utica fell behind 3-0 before beginning to rally nearly half way through the second period. Jonathan Dahlen and Darren Archibald would score power play goals before the period ended, making it 3-2 heading to the third.

Cleveland's Mark Letestu scored his second goal of the game 6:03 into the final period to stretch their lead to 4-2. The Comets could not convert on a power play chance in the final six minutes, but Reid Boucher registered his league leading ninth goal in the final two minutes.

Ivan Kulbakov allowed 4 goals on 24 shots faced in the Comets' net. Jean-Francois Berube stopped 32-of-35 for the Monsters.

Utica (3-4-0-0) is off to a 1-4 start at home. They visit the Syracuse Crunch on Saturday night.

Next week, Utica is home Wednesday night, hosting Charlotte.