KC Comets fall to St. Louis but have chance for redemption: Rivalry games are ahead

The Kansas City Comets left Cable Dahmer Arena frustrated and disappointed after a 5-4 overtime loss against the St. Louis Ambush in front of 4,631 fans on Saturday, Dec. 28.

After getting shut out in the first half, trailing 2-0 at halftime, the Comets surged in the third quarter and even jumped ahead 3-2. The Ambush fought back and went up 4-3 until Ramone Palmer answered with the equalizer with 83 seconds left to force overtime.

At the 3:35 mark in overtime, Lucas Almeida’s attempt deflected before settling inside the post, giving the Ambush their first road win since March 2023. It was frustrating for the Comets after they failed to clinch the I-70 Series Cup on home turf; KC controlled much of the match yet conceded five goals on just 14 shots while scoring four times on 36 shots.

Head coach Stefan Stokic shared his frustration with his team’s defensive marking, an area he felt it had previously excelled.

“I felt like defensively we lost runners that we shouldn’t have,” Stokic said.

Ramone Palmer joins 100-goal club

Palmer’s goal to force overtime was his 100th for the Comets since first signing in 2012. He enters elite company as the seventh Comet to reach the 100-goal milestone since the team returned in 2010, a list that includes Leo Gibson, Vahid Assadpour, Lucas Rodriguez, John Sosa, Byron Alvarez and Bryan Perez.

“It’s always good to score goals,” Palmer said after the game. “I definitely prefer a win than 100 goals. I’m really thankful to still be a part of this organization.”

Palmer’s milestone didn’t come easy. The Kingston, Jamaica native played at Park University before signing with the Comets. Palmer has 100 goals and 77 assists in 226 games across 11 seasons with the Comets.

He’s battled numerous long-term injuries but is feeling good after a surge in goals that started in the final stretch of last season.

“Taking my time to get close to where I want to be,” Palmer said of his recent success. “Being able to play close to 100%, if not 100%, helps out a lot with being more effective out there on the field.”

“I’ve played with that guy; I was here when he came into the league,” Stokic said. “He keeps amazing us with his ability and the way he plays. He’s a great player but an unbelievable person as well.”

Comets set for rivalry contests

The Comets now turn the page and prepare for two rivalry games this week. They will spend New Year’s Eve at Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri when they finish up the home-and-home series against the Ambush.

The quick turnaround will allow the team to quickly move past Saturday’s loss.

“We are expected to go out there and win this game,” Palmer said about Tuesday’s matchup. “There is no room to lose two games in a row. That’s motivation enough to go out there and get the W.”

After Tuesday, the Comets return home to face the Milwaukee Wave in MASL’s most heated rivalry on Sunday, Jan. 5. The Comets beat Milwaukee to advance to last season’s Ron Newman Cup Finals, but Milwaukee defeated the Comets earlier this season in overtime.

Tickets for Milwaukee’s only visit to Cable Dahmer Arena this season on Sunday are available at kccomets.com/tickets.