Laval on their heels in the first few minutes. Utica with a lot of pressure and puck possession.
The first several minutes, Utica was pretty much all over Laval. The last few minutes, Laval's picked their game up a bit.
Scherbak off to a good start. His line with Vejdemo and Jevpalovs had some good looks.
Vejdemo with a beauty pass to Sklenicka who had a clean shot, but Kulbalkov picking up where he left off in the previous two games against Laval, making a real good save.
Laval headed to the PP. Laval has slowly been taking over the game now.
Oh man what did Chaput just missed. Evans sets him up perfectly but Chaput was hindered by the defenseman.
Laval looking good on the PP. They need to get this part of their game set up.
And Chaput gets a really dumb penalty after the whistle and he eliminates the PP and it is now 4-on-4.
Froese with a really dangerous hit from behind near the boards. This one is an ugly play by the captain.
Froese gets a 5-minute major for boarding. And with Chaput already in the box, Utica will have a short 5-on-3.
Another bad penalty by Laval. Grenier with a high stick. And they give Utica another 5-on-3.
And Utica makes it count. 1-0 for the Comets.
2-0 Utica n the PP that Froese is still serving. And because it's a 5-minute major, Utica is still on the PP.
And because Laval was on the PK for nearly 8 minutes (with twice on a 5-on-3), guys like Scherbak went all that time without any shifts.
And then the refs blatantly missed a call as Scherbak was practically clotheslined. But Laval puts some pressure and then earn a PP after the melee just as the period ends. Laval will start the second with the man advantage.