The Utica Comets Thread

[UticaHockey]

Boucher up to the Cancucks.

Sautner returned from the Canucks.

Stewart reassigned to the Zoo.

Unless the Polar Express brings another PTO or 2 into town tomorrow, the Comets will have exactly 12 forwards to ice for the game on Wednesday vs. the Toronto Marlies, the #2 team in the AHL .

With Boucher and Chaput in Vancouver and Archibald, Hamilton, and Laplante still injured the Comets will line up with (based ontheir last lineup):

LaBate/Woods/D'Aoust
Megna/Darcy
Molino/Cassels/Carcone
Bancks/Cameranesi/MacEwen
Brassart
The 2 in Italics are PTOs with Brassart having played 2 games and Cameranesi 1. Both are centers and have centered the same line. Some rearranging will get done.

With Sautner returned the D will be better.

Wiercioch/Chatfield
Sautner/Brisebois
Holm/ one of Cederholm, Blujus, or Watson. based on Cull having some history with Blujus, I chose him.

This D corps still needs one more good D-man added to this unit. They still wouldn't be among the AHL's best defensive 6, but they would be stable.

The forwards are very weak from a scoring perspective and they are equally as weak from a defensive standpoint. They need to be strong one way or the other in order to remain viable in the North Division. Toronto (42) and Rochester (38) are running away and will soon hide if nobody else catches some spark. The Syracuse Crunch (31)on the strength of a current 10 game win streak are racing to make this a 3 team race. Then it's the bottom feeders led by Utica with 27 and Laval (26) and Belleville (25) right on their heels.
Utica gets Toronto 2 in a row at in Utica on Wednesday and Friday.

Belleville gets Rochester Syracuse and Toronto before Christmas. So, they've got a heavy load before the Holidays as well.

Laval gets Syracuse and then Rochester for 2 back to back in Laval.

The top 3 can put the rest of the division way back in their rear view mirrors if they take care of business before Christmas. Any of the 3 chasing who even hope to stay on the road have their fate in their own hands. If the big 3 win out the rest are in for a very tough road ahead.

The Polar Express will be dropping off another PTO today.
Utica Comets Add Forward Joel Lowry On PTO

 

[Askel]

At least he has scored in the ECHL, but his AHL stats are pure crap

 

[go comets]

Next six games will be a huge uphill battle for the undermanned comets, two vrs first place Toronto, 2vrs first place Providence, and 2 at the hottest team in the league Syracuse......going to be very hard to muster points in these games with our pop gun offence.....

 

[Bad Goalie]

The Polar Express will be dropping off another PTO today.
Utica Comets Add Forward Joel Lowry On PTO

It had to happen. Can't go along with a total of 12 forwards on the roster. 13 isn't exactly prepared either. Travis almost never went this short-handed. If it meant even more PTOs he brought 'em in. They were then acclimated to the game he wanted them to play and when needed, they went into the lineup and could hold their own applying pressure on the puck for 200 feet, denying passes, and taking away space defensively even if they couldn't score. Thus, they were always in the game. When he had as many as 9 PTOS in the lineup in 15-16 the team still managed to hold onto the final playoff spot. This one extra player at a time and having them go in cold as Brassart and Cameranesi have done is not how you want to do this.

Welcome to Utica Joel.

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

hmm another from Manchester Monarchs ECHL
i wonder if there r other AHL teams just as bad as us piling up on loans due to injuries/circumstances?

 

[Bad Goalie]

hmm another from Manchester Monarchs ECHL
i wonder if there r other AHL teams just as bad as us piling up on loans due to injuries/circumstances?

All of the AHL teams go through it. They don't have the luxury of calling up high end players with NHL experience or at least prospects with expectations. Taking guys out of the ECHL is a total crap shoot.

Some teams like Toronto have started to stock their ECHL franchise in a similar fashion to their AHL club meaning they assign as many of their own prospects in both leagues at different levels of development. This keeps the AHL team from trying to function with ECHL level players because they are part of the system a la Vancouver. It also allows for the lower level prospect to get lots of ice which can only help in their development. Thus, when injuries occur they know the players coming in, their strengths and weaknesses and have realistic expectations as to what roles they can be expected to handle best and the players are familiar with a system they will play at all 3 levels should they get that far. Seems like a pretty intelligent way to do things, but yeah hate on Toronto, hate on Toronto.

Tampa is working at getting the same system going. Their AHL team has become a pipeline directly to the big club filling out much of their roster. Vancouver's original roaster out of camp 2 players who actually spent any developmental time in Utica. Markstrom was a product of the Florida system and acquired via trade. Only one was actually a Vancouver prospect from draft day, Virtanen. Gaunce is a third who joined the club after an injury healed and he conditioned in Utica, Gaunce. Check out the list of Lightening players who developed in Syracuse and compare their play level to the Gaunce and Virtanen. Incidentally having been raised in the Detroit system Stevie doesn't rush his prospects and the system has been spitting out good ones and the current AHL farm has more to come.

 

[Catamarca Livin]

Detroit seems to have lost its luster as a player development leader. None of the players kept in minors seem to have developed much at NHL level. Nyquist, Tatar plateaued. Did they get to a higher level than if they were brought up sooner? who knows? Did Tampa Bay develop great or draft great? Maybe both. Definitively the Canucks should do something else. Hopefully the wave of Petterson Dahlen Lind Gadovich and Gaudette brings something to build on at the Ahl and Nhl level. Though I thought that might happen with Goldy Virtanan Dahlen Brisbois Chatfield and Demko this year. None of the forwards stayed the dman seem disappointing leaving Demko to his own. Just need to keep drafting better from the chl as they play in ahl. Our college and Euros never seem to go to Utica unless they are very marginal.

 

[VanJack]

Detroit seems to have lost its luster as a player development leader. None of the players kept in minors seem to have developed much at NHL level. Nyquist, Tatar plateaued. Did they get to a higher level than if they were brought up sooner? who knows? Did Tampa Bay develop great or draft great? Maybe both. Definitively the Canucks should do something else. Hopefully the wave of Petterson Dahlen Lind Gadovich and Gaudette brings something to build on at the Ahl and Nhl level. Though I thought that might happen with Goldy Virtanan Dahlen Brisbois Chatfield and Demko this year. None of the forwards stayed the dman seem disappointing leaving Demko to his own. Just need to keep drafting better from the chl as they play in ahl. Our college and Euros never seem to go to Utica unless they are very marginal.

Pettersson and likely Gaudette will never see the light of day in Utica....if the Sedins pack it in at the end of the season the Canucks will have some major holes down the middle, and so far, those two rookies are the only guys who can fill the void.

 

[Megaterio Llamas]

Pettersson and likely Gaudette will never see the light of day in Utica....if the Sedins pack it in at the end of the season the Canucks will have some major holes down the middle, and so far, those two rookies are the only guys who can fill the void.

Yes and they have options in Vaxjo and Northeastern which would preclude them ever seeing Utica. It's Vancouver or nothing for those two I'm afraid.

 

[Nuckles]

Chaput being sent back down?

 

[Bad Goalie]

Chaput being sent back down?

Would be a welcome return.

With the X-mas traffic and flying commercial, it would be unlikely for him to be ready to play tomorrow (Wednesday) vs Toronto. However, he would be here for Friday's rematch.

Edit: He has officially been returned. Now it's just a matter of when he gets to town to determine which game he's available for, hopefully tonight.

This morning we heard Darcy is reportedly day to day and may be go for tonight, but if he isn't and Chaput isn't ready--------o-h-h-h-h-h-BOY.

Imagine who the middle 4 would be. Cassels, Woods, Bancks, and one of Megna/MacEwen. 3rd and 4th liners with two wingers. MacEwen has been a center before getting here, but if they thought he could do the job, he would be there already considering the plight the center position has been in all season.

 

[Clinton Comets EHL]

 

[Bad Goalie]

Wow! If Chaput doesn't play, just wow! Ev3en if he does he just replaces the spot Darcy was taking, Chaput's! If Darcy could have then dropped down to #2, they would have been okay. Still not great, but okay. Great ain't happening.

 

[UticaHockey]

The Comets are all getting these for Christmas. They might not skate too fast but nobody will get injured the rest of the season.

 

[Bad Goalie]

The Comets are all getting these for Christmas. They might not skate too fast but nobody will get injured the rest of the season.

Nothing like a little jocularity before heading off to what might not be so funny.

I have a bad feeling about this one.

Carter seems to feel they are grinding it out and picking up points on a steady basis. These next 2 won't be as easy as any of the most recent and they have been far from easy.

Thinking positive thoughts. Thinking positive th0ughts. Keep repeating.

 

[go comets]

Comets lead after 1 2-1. Megna and Holm with goals. Megna got plastered into the glass and has left the game.
4th line consists of 3 ECHL guys on ptos.

 

[go comets]

Comets 3-2 after 2. Carcone with an unassisted goal late. Comets hanging in there with one of the AHL best. But as been their history this season, a 3rd period collapse will not surprise anyone....

 

[go comets]

Comets Finish off the marlies 5-2..... outstanding effort as they played two forwards short for 2/3 the game. Megna and wood both injured

 

[Clinton Comets EHL]

Team full of grit and heart tonight. Demko excellent, got stronger as game went along. Carcone stepping up.

Shorthanded, ECHLers / PTOers are outstanding. Sign up for this and Saturday nights version anytime. Best 2 games of the past 1 1/2 seasons.

 

[orcatown]

No one could have predicted this. Very gutsy effort by the Comets. Really have to hand it to some players in this game. Team lost Wood and Megan (who was off to a terrific start) in the first leaving many guys double shifting

Good

Demko - got scrambly at times but he was good. Probably the main reason for the win.

Carcone - showing some real upper level ability. Made some excellent rushes and threat all game. Is really coming on. Really like the way he moved the puck out of his zone and his forecheck was tenacious in this game.

Molino - had to play about half the game. He was very good. Have to say that given his poor start he is the most improved player on the team (I never thought he could get to where he is). Starting to use his speed to create odd man rushes and force the play in the offensive end. With a little more finish should start to score.

Chatfield - another guy you could put in the most improved category. Is solidly on the #1 pairing with Wiercoich and get tons of ice time. Very strong game where he used his quickness to get the puck out and join the play up ice. Getting better at playing the body and getting people off the puck. Might have been the best player in this game

D'Aoust - even before his goal was thinking about the tremendous work rate of this player. He played both ends with great effort and was key in the win.

McEwen - has to be his best game. Got the one assist but deserved a couple more. There were times when dominated shifts. Much more like the player we saw in Junior. Hope he can keep it up.

To me those were the best for the Comets but others played very decent games

Brisebois - again played with poise. Has the ability to create space for himself to make plays. Moves off the puck well and is a good skater. He does have future if he continues the way he is going

Blujus - has emerged as the best of the PTOs. Solid in this game. Significant that Cederholm is out instead of Blujus. Writings on the wall for Cederholm

Holm - didn't think he was always solid in his end but scored and was able at times to control things from the back end

Difficult to see the Comets lose still more players. Megna got creamed (looked like a nasty facial injury) and you could see the Marlies start to target Chatfield as the game went on. You have to ask why the team doesn't look to get some deterrence to make others pay for taking obvious runs at the Comet players. You've got low level players like Cameransi, Brassart, and Lowery who provide nothing and barely play. If you are going to have people just sit on the bench why not get someone you can wheel out that will at least create some fear of retaliation if the teams are running your players. Have to wonder how Johnson does not realize this (probably too inexperienced to anything about it). I know they want the 4 line concept but why force this (they certainly don't have 4 lines now) when you are leaving prospects with no protection. And on this point you also wonder if old Jimbo is even taking notice. I doubt it.

 

[Bad Goalie]

12/20/17
Toronto Marlies (21-7-0-0) @ the Utica Comets (11-11-4-1)

Final score Utica 5 - Toronto 2

Marlies: 1 1 0 - 2
Comets: 2 1 3 - 5

Forwards:
Molino/Cassels/Carcone
Megna/Bancks/MacEwen
LaBate/Woods/D'Aoust
Lowry/Cameranesi/Brassart

D-Pairs:
Brisebois/Holm
Wiercioch/Chatfield
Sautner/Blujus

Goal - Demko

Scratches:

Injured-
Archibald
Hamilton
Laplante
Sifers
McEneny
Darcy

Healthy-
Chaput
Cederholm
Watson

Megna and Woods left the game injured and did not return.

Megna (4) from Holm (10)
Holm (4) from Megna (9) and Bancks (9) PP
Carcone (5) from MacEwen (10)
D'Aoust (7) from Sautner (3) and Bancks (10)
Wiercioch (5) from Blujus (1) and D'Aoust (4)

SOG:
Marlies 6 13 15 - 34
Comets 13 12 9 - 34

PP:
Marlies - 0/4
Comets - 2/4

Demko - 32/34
GP/19 (10-6-2-1) GA-47 GAA/2.45 SV%/.922

3 Stars:
1 - Alexis D'Aoust (Utica Comets) 1G/1A
2 - Michael Carcone (Utica Comets) 1G
3 - Zack MacEwen (Utica Comets) 1A

Consecutive Sellout #106

2 things

1 - This was the first game of the season that the Comets did not have any passengers. It doesn't mean there were no mistakes, but the 100% concerted effort from all players almost covered for every mistake made and Demko corrected the few that got by.

2 - The Comets played a Travis Green game tonight. A full 200 foot pressure on the puck wherever possible 60 minute game. They gave a similar effort last game except for the last 7 minutes and few seconds of OT when they just collapsed and gave a 2-goal lead and then the game away.

The usual easy passes inside the Comets blue line, both cross ice and down low to wide open guys were disrupted on a regular basis by the strong back check which saw a forward able to block, deflect or pick most of those passes and thus, prevent the total defensive zone domination by the opponent. It made the D's job much simpler, the puck changed possession, and the Comets were able to launch a much more concerted offensive attack.

I don't know if Cull got a reminder from higher up as to what kind of game players should arrive in Vancouver able to play or if Captain Bancks sat down in a players closed door meeting and finally stopped coddling and backslapping for effort and demanded a more responsible game from every player that suits up, but either way this was a different team and the talent level of many of these guys would be considered less than that of several players missing for a variety of reasons. The team showed tonight what can be accomplished when every guy is on the same page and everyone commits himself to the exact kind of effort. If the guys who are out return and continue with the same kind of effort, this season may have hope yet.

We must all realize 1 game does not a season make, but it's a start. They were fun to watch and the crowd showed their appreciation on many occasions. The building reminded me of the playoff crowds, not at the same level, but the same kind of enthusiasm. More games like this and the reactions will grow with the team's game, win or lose.

 

[Get North]

Definitely positive to see the young players do well and step up a bit offensively when injuries hit. I felt pretty confident in Brisebois and Chatfield to become good AHL players fairly quick, hopefully they are consistent and reliable in the 2nd half of the season. The others are late picks/undraftees and will probably have good and bad games throughout the season.

I hope Benning grabs 1-2 waiver players, the organization as a whole is injured really badly, the worst I can remember.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Definitely positive to see the young players do well and step up a bit offensively when injuries hit. I felt pretty confident in Brisebois and Chatfield to become good AHL players fairly quick, hopefully they are consistent and reliable in the 2nd half of the season. The others are late picks/undraftees and will probably have good and bad games throughout the season.

I hope Benning grabs 1-2 waiver players, the organization as a whole is injured really badly, the worst I can remember.

I too have encouraged this action, but the waiver pickups have to either stay in Vancouver and the call-ups come back down (see it with Boucher, but not Goldobin) or those selected cannot qualify as veterans in Utica. Utica needs help, but if they turn out to be vets, they will only help for a very short span and then when vets return they will only be able to play 5 of them at once. Boucher can play with the five because he is Veteran Exempt.

Just tonight Megna, Wiercioch, and Bancks are vets. Chaput who has returned and will play Friday is #4. Archibald, Hamilton, and Sifers are scheduled to return after Christmasish. That's 7 and Boucher will likely be returned when Sutter comes back and he makes 8 so 2 are healthy, but still sitting by league rules. This was dumb-guy planning from the get go. Rodin was a vet as well when camp broke. Many thought Biega or Burmistrov would be demoted and both were also vets.
Some nimrods are advocating the demotion of Gagner. That's just dumb. He'd have to get through waivers and if so, become a 3yr, $3mil/per, AHL player. Aquaman isn't about to do that.

Picking up waiver guys requires a demotion of Canucks or re-waiving the pick-ups and hoping nobody steps right back in and claims them again. If Vancouver management can grab a couple guys who would be very good in the AHL, I'd put them right back on waivers and hope they get through. If not grab the next ones and keep doing it. Somewhere along the lines somebody is going to pass. This especially seems likely since once you claim don't you go back to the end of the line? If yes, you would be getting guys everybody else passed on. If I'm wrong, just keep grabbing them since Vancouver is third in line.

 

[VanJack]

I remember suffering a beat-down on these boards when I suggested that just maybe Carcone might end up being a player....but two years ago at the Canucks prospect development camp both Carcone and D'Aoust were standouts.....looking like they're morphing into solid AHL players at least. And if you add in Molino, MacEwan and Chatfield, all FA signings, somebody in the Canucks scouting department seems to be doing their homework.

 

[hillbilly hockey]

I remember suffering a beat-down on these boards when I suggested that just maybe Carcone might end up being a player....but two years ago at the Canucks prospect development camp both Carcone and D'Aoust were standouts.....looking like they're morphing into solid AHL players at least. And if you add in Molino, MacEwan and Chatfield, all FA signings, somebody in the Canucks scouting department seems to be doing their homework.

Yes well its easy for people to be negative and forget the pressure these kids must feel coming up. He wasn't given an ELC for his smile lol. His game is improving and if he hadn't been seriously ill at start of season I think his game would be a lot farther along at this point.