Baertschi Scores 3, Comets Take Game 3

Sven Baertschi pulled off a natural hat trick in the second period of Game 3 on Thursday night leading the Utica Comets to a 4-1 victory and giving the team a 2-1 advantage in the Western Conference Finals.

Baertschi broke a scoreless tie 3:17 into the second, scored a power play goal at 9:35 then, less than two and half minutes later, scored his third straight goal of the game at the 11:53 mark.

Also of note, last year's sixth overall pick in the draft - Jake Virtanen - recorded his first professional point, assisting on Baertschi's first tally.

Utica's Jacob Markstrom, who was pulled after two periods in Game 2, bounced back with 40 saves.

Game 4 is Friday night in Grand Rapids.