COMETS LOSE TO BLAST 7-5

The Kansas City Comet (7-6-1) nearly climbed back from a four-goal deficit, but were unable to get the final push as they suffered a 7-5 loss on the road against the Baltimore Blast (5-5-1) on Friday evening at TU Arena.

Braces from Robert Palmer and Nacho Flores were not enough as the Comets lost their sixth straight game. Phillip Ejimadu got the start in goal before being relived by Nicolau Neto in the second half. Neto was able to help smooth the sails in the back and made seven saves.

The Comets took an early 1-0 lead when John Sosa chipped a ball into a dangerous position towards Robert Palmer. After bouncing off the board to the right of the goal, Baltimore’s attempted header to the goalkeeper ended in the back of the net as Palmer took credit for the goal.

That joyful 1-0 lead was short-lived as about two minutes later the Blast leveled the score with a goal from Victor Parreiras. That was just the start as Baltimore scored again before the first period expired and tagged three more in the second quarter to take a 5-1 lead.

Nacho Flores finally ended Baltimore’s five-goal run with a power play strike 12:12 into the second quarter. The Comets threw their challenge flag towards the end of the quarter after an apparent headbutt from Baltimore’s Deasel. After review, the officials issued red cards to both Deasel and Rian Marques in a decision that left everyone perplexed.

Trailing 5-2 going into the third quarter, Flores struck again as the Comets got back within a pair for the period’s only score. But Baltimore had the answer in the fourth to provide an extra layer of comfort when Jesus Pacheco put the hosts up 6-3.

The Comets weren’t finished yet. About midway through the fourth quarter, Zach Reget brought an end to his drought when he sent a canon into the top corner on the power play. Just 16 seconds later, Palmer scored his second of the night to get within one.

The Comets were presented a glorious chance to level the score when Baltimore’s Joshio Sandoval was sent to the penalty box for a two-minute tripping penalty, but KC was unable to finish the job. The Blast pierced the hearts of the hopeful Comets in the final minute to finish the game off at 7-5 to the Blast’s favor.

“I wish it happened before we went down four,” Comets head coach Stefan Stefan Stokic said about his team’s response after going down by four in the second quarter. “We came back into the game and we should have tied it up, but we fell short; especially with that man down towards the end.”

The Comets will wrap up their six-game road swing on Sunday when they visit the St. Louis Ambush. They return home the following weekend for a back-to-back against the Tacoma Stars (Feb. 9) and Empire Strykers (Feb. 10). Tickets are available at www.kccomets.com/tickets.

SCORING SUMMARY

1st – KC RoPalmer (unassisted) 3:27; BAL Parreira (Donatelli) 5:28 pp; Parreiras (unassisted) 13:37 pp. Penalties – KC Lopez (bc- too many men) 4:53; KC Lee (bc- tripping) 12:20.

2nd – BAL Deasel (Thompson) 4:32; BAL Sylla (Pereira) 4:48; BAL Ricardinho (Hughes) 6:52; KC Flores (Sosa) 12:12 pp. Penalties – BAL Deasel (bc- unsportsmanlike conduct) 2:19; KC Marques (bc- unsportsmanlike conduct) 2:19; BAL Thompson (bc- tripping) 11:50; KC Marques (rc- violent conduct or serious foul play) 13:42; BAL Deasel (rc- 3 penalties) 13:42; KC Flores (yc- severe unsportsmanlike manner) 13:42.

3rd – KC Flores (unassisted) 11:06. Penalties — None.

4th – BAL Pacheco (Hughes) 4:53; KC Reget (Sosa) 8:39 pp; KC RoPalmer (Gibson) 8:55; BAL Pereira (Donatelli). Penalties – BAL Raley (bc- holding) 8:17; BAL Sandoval (bc- tripping) 9:32.

Power Play – Comets 2/5, Baltimore 2/4

Penalty Minutes – Comets 11, Baltimore 15

Fouls – Comets 15, Baltimore 15

Shots – Comets 37, Baltimore 22

Attendance – 2,004