Alexandre Grenier scored at 9:13 of overtime as the Utica Comets staved off elimination with a 2-1 win over the Albany Devils at a sold-out Utica Memorial Auditorium on Tuesday night.

Game 4 will be Thursday in Utica with the Devils still leading the series, 2-1.

Utica controlled play for much of the overtime period, then forced a turnover to set up the winning goal. Mike Zalewski stole the puck behind the Albany net, stepped in front and sent a pass across to Grenier, who tapped it into the yawning net for his second career postseason overtime goal.

Utica’s Jordan Subban and Albany’s Mike Sislo traded goals less than five minutes apart in the first period, as the teams played for a total of 64:38 with the score tied.

Joe Cannata (1-0), making his first career Calder Cup Playoff start after coming on in relief during Game 2, made 27 saves for the victory. Scott Wedgewood (2-1) stopped 28 of 30 shots but took the loss despite allowing two goals or fewer for the third straight game.

North Division Semifinals – Series “D” (best-of-5)

N2-Albany Devils vs. N3-Utica Comets

Game 1 – Fri., Apr. 22 – ALBANY 3, Utica 2

Game 2 – Sat., Apr. 23 – ALBANY 5, Utica 1

Game 3 – Tue., Apr. 26 – UTICA 2, Albany 1 (OT)

*Game 4 – Thu., Apr. 28 – Albany at Utica, 7:00

*Game 5 – Sat., Apr. 30 – Utica at Albany, 5:00

*if necessary… All times Eastern

