Blue and Green
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Cleveland opens the scoring about 12 minutes into the game. Utica not looking good at all so far.
2018-19 Utica Comets, Pt. V
- Thread starter Zombotron
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Blue and Green
Out to lunch
- Dec 17, 2017
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Cleveland leads 3-1, Comets finally scored late in the 2nd period on a deflection by Arceneaux on a Sifers' shot with Lind getting the second assist.
Blue and Green
Out to lunch
- Dec 17, 2017
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3-3 after a couple of quick goals by Boucher and Gaunce midway through the 3rd. They changed the scoring on the first goal to Sifers, no deflection by Arseneau.
Blue and Green
Out to lunch
- Dec 17, 2017
- 3,437
- 3,413
Blue and Green
Out to lunch
- Dec 17, 2017
- 3,437
- 3,413
Blue and Green
Out to lunch
- Dec 17, 2017
- 3,437
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Billy Kvcmu
Registered User
Lindgren
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2005
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The playoff race is getting more interesting every day. Belleville and Toronto are both in action tomorrow. Will they be able to keep up the pace?
Megaterio Llamas
el rey del mambo
GOOOOAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOOOOOAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Catching up on games and first made it through yesterday’s 3-2 OT win at Wilkes-Barre.
Was a pretty awful, choppy game. Utica was decent defensively but awful offensively. Both Utica goals in regulation were directly off faceoffs and the team struggled badly to generate any sort of offensive continuity. Have to question putting 4th line mucker Woods with scoring wingers rather than moving Pyatt to C to balance out the lines.
Utica wasn’t helped late by the refs with two very soft neutral zone penalties against them in the last 10 minutes plus - and I’m not exaggerating here - the worst icing call in professional hockey history, where the retreating defender actually touched the puck before it got to the icing line but somehow it was still called.
- Leighton was absolutely outstanding. One of the best games by any Comets goalie this season. Looked like a completely different player than the sluggish, ancient-looking guy from his first few games. Playing like this it might have been better to give him a contract than blowing a pick on Mazanek.
- Chatfield was solid and had one of his better games of the season, which is encouraging. Was paired with McEneny who also had a good game aside from struggling on the PP.
- LeBlanc looks to be a really solid player at this level. Didn’t put a foot wrong. Ryan Johnson has taken some heat but kudos to him for getting LeBlanc for a complete nothing in Macmaster.
- Jesse Graham was back from injury and was horrid. Turnover machine. Sautner was basically on fire drill duty bailing out his partner.
- Boucher-Kero-Pyatt veteran line did not have a good night. Kero probably the best but generated little.
- Dahlen made a beautiful pass on the OT goal but was otherwise invisible. That said, again it’s not ideal that he’s playing with a C as untalented as Woods.
- Gaunce probably the best overall forward in this game although not his best effort. Playing with Darcy and Lind ... Lind’s icetime is way up but now 0-1-1 in 10 games since he finally scored. Isn’t looking lost like earlier but just blending into the scenery as a vanilla bottom-6 guy.
- Arseneau is maybe the most improved Comet over the course of the season. Showing a good turn of speed and becoming a solid player at this level. Might deserve an invite to the Canucks full camp in September.
- Gadjovich was having a decent, involved game until getting hurt midway through.
Was a pretty awful, choppy game. Utica was decent defensively but awful offensively. Both Utica goals in regulation were directly off faceoffs and the team struggled badly to generate any sort of offensive continuity. Have to question putting 4th line mucker Woods with scoring wingers rather than moving Pyatt to C to balance out the lines.
Utica wasn’t helped late by the refs with two very soft neutral zone penalties against them in the last 10 minutes plus - and I’m not exaggerating here - the worst icing call in professional hockey history, where the retreating defender actually touched the puck before it got to the icing line but somehow it was still called.
- Leighton was absolutely outstanding. One of the best games by any Comets goalie this season. Looked like a completely different player than the sluggish, ancient-looking guy from his first few games. Playing like this it might have been better to give him a contract than blowing a pick on Mazanek.
- Chatfield was solid and had one of his better games of the season, which is encouraging. Was paired with McEneny who also had a good game aside from struggling on the PP.
- LeBlanc looks to be a really solid player at this level. Didn’t put a foot wrong. Ryan Johnson has taken some heat but kudos to him for getting LeBlanc for a complete nothing in Macmaster.
- Jesse Graham was back from injury and was horrid. Turnover machine. Sautner was basically on fire drill duty bailing out his partner.
- Boucher-Kero-Pyatt veteran line did not have a good night. Kero probably the best but generated little.
- Dahlen made a beautiful pass on the OT goal but was otherwise invisible. That said, again it’s not ideal that he’s playing with a C as untalented as Woods.
- Gaunce probably the best overall forward in this game although not his best effort. Playing with Darcy and Lind ... Lind’s icetime is way up but now 0-1-1 in 10 games since he finally scored. Isn’t looking lost like earlier but just blending into the scenery as a vanilla bottom-6 guy.
- Arseneau is maybe the most improved Comet over the course of the season. Showing a good turn of speed and becoming a solid player at this level. Might deserve an invite to the Canucks full camp in September.
- Gadjovich was having a decent, involved game until getting hurt midway through.
... and today’s 5-4 OT win against Cleveland.
Weird game. Utica was absolutely terrible in the first period, not a ton better in the 2nd, and then came roaring back with 4 straight goals and looked terrific in the final 25 minutes.
- Vincent Arseneau was really the only Comet going in the first 40 minutes and his turnaround as a player continues to be staggering and bizarre. Has gone from a 26 y/o nobody goon with 1 goal in his first 65 AHL games to suddenly one of Utica’s best forwards most nights who should be playing further up the lineup. Is skating really well and carrying the puck through the neutral zone with confidence and swagger.
- Lind was demoted to the 4th line with Arseneau and Hamilton and it probably ended up being a good thing for him as that line played well and Lind had a better game with some solid puck retrieval in the offensive zone. Hamilton is absolutely dominating on faceoffs right now - wouldn’t be surprised if he was over 80% this weekend - and it’s helping create a lot of possession for his line.
- Gaunce had 3 points and was great late but had some uncharacteristic slop in terms of puck management earlier in the game. Still easily Utica’s best player and says a lot that he can carry a line at this level with Reid Gardiner and Cam Darcy as linemates.
- that was the first game I’ve seen from Gardiner at this level where he didn’t suck. Terrible skater but made some nice passes and picked up an assist. Has been on fire in the ECHL and Cull played him a lot today.
- Boucher was HORRIBLE through 40 minutes and probably turned the puck over a dozen times but given a chance on the PP finished with class. Kero and Pyatt both played well in the back half of the game.
- Dahlen had a couple decent shots/chances but again mainly blended into the scenery. Is ridiculous that he’s playing with Woods who is basically an AHL Jay Beagle.
- Chatfield doesn’t make obvious mistakes but is just constantly playing in the wrong end of the rink and reacting to rather than dictating the play. And has stone hands and can’t move the puck. Not skating as well as he has in the past, either, but gets a pass there coming off a serious foot injury. He and McEneny were broken up after the 3-0 goal and he was put back with Sautner.
- Sifers-LeBlanc pairing was solid and boring.
- Saucerman should be playing every night. Moves the puck really well and was a big upgrade on Graham.
- Leighton was great under an onslaught in the first period and then ehhhhhhhh the rest of the way. 2 games in less than 24 hours is a big ask for a guy his age who hasn’t played much in the past 2 seasons.
Weird game. Utica was absolutely terrible in the first period, not a ton better in the 2nd, and then came roaring back with 4 straight goals and looked terrific in the final 25 minutes.
- Vincent Arseneau was really the only Comet going in the first 40 minutes and his turnaround as a player continues to be staggering and bizarre. Has gone from a 26 y/o nobody goon with 1 goal in his first 65 AHL games to suddenly one of Utica’s best forwards most nights who should be playing further up the lineup. Is skating really well and carrying the puck through the neutral zone with confidence and swagger.
- Lind was demoted to the 4th line with Arseneau and Hamilton and it probably ended up being a good thing for him as that line played well and Lind had a better game with some solid puck retrieval in the offensive zone. Hamilton is absolutely dominating on faceoffs right now - wouldn’t be surprised if he was over 80% this weekend - and it’s helping create a lot of possession for his line.
- Gaunce had 3 points and was great late but had some uncharacteristic slop in terms of puck management earlier in the game. Still easily Utica’s best player and says a lot that he can carry a line at this level with Reid Gardiner and Cam Darcy as linemates.
- that was the first game I’ve seen from Gardiner at this level where he didn’t suck. Terrible skater but made some nice passes and picked up an assist. Has been on fire in the ECHL and Cull played him a lot today.
- Boucher was HORRIBLE through 40 minutes and probably turned the puck over a dozen times but given a chance on the PP finished with class. Kero and Pyatt both played well in the back half of the game.
- Dahlen had a couple decent shots/chances but again mainly blended into the scenery. Is ridiculous that he’s playing with Woods who is basically an AHL Jay Beagle.
- Chatfield doesn’t make obvious mistakes but is just constantly playing in the wrong end of the rink and reacting to rather than dictating the play. And has stone hands and can’t move the puck. Not skating as well as he has in the past, either, but gets a pass there coming off a serious foot injury. He and McEneny were broken up after the 3-0 goal and he was put back with Sautner.
- Sifers-LeBlanc pairing was solid and boring.
- Saucerman should be playing every night. Moves the puck really well and was a big upgrade on Graham.
- Leighton was great under an onslaught in the first period and then ehhhhhhhh the rest of the way. 2 games in less than 24 hours is a big ask for a guy his age who hasn’t played much in the past 2 seasons.
Megaterio Llamas
el rey del mambo
Megaterio Llamas
el rey del mambo
UticaHockey
Registered User
"Gaunce had 3 points and was great late but had some uncharacteristic slop in terms of puck management earlier in the game. Still easily Utica’s best player and says a lot that he can carry a line at this level with Reid Gardiner and Cam Darcy as linemates." - I thought Gaunce was the best player on the ice last night. Good in the offensive zone and backcheck with a purpose all game long.
"Chatfield doesn’t make obvious mistakes but is just constantly playing in the wrong end of the rink and reacting to rather than dictating the play. And has stone hands and can’t move the puck. Not skating as well as he has in the past, either, but gets a pass there coming off a serious foot injury. He and McEneny were broken up after the 3-0 goal and he was put back with Sautner." - The Chatfiled - McEneny pairing was abysmal and the team was much better when Cull broke them up. Chatfield is not playing well at all.
"Boucher was HORRIBLE through 40 minutes and probably turned the puck over a dozen times but given a chance on the PP finished with class. Kero and Pyatt both played well in the back half of the game." - The entire team was bad in the first period but as you said Boucher was horrible. Just kept turning the puck over with bad passes and soft play. He was much better in the third period though even beyond the PP goal that he scored.
"Vincent Arseneau was really the only Comet going in the first 40 minutes and his turnaround as a player continues to be staggering and bizarre. Has gone from a 26 y/o nobody goon with 1 goal in his first 65 AHL games to suddenly one of Utica’s best forwards most nights who should be playing further up the lineup. Is skating really well and carrying the puck through the neutral zone with confidence and swagger." - Arseneau and Hamilton were surprisingly effective. The two most physical forwards out there and gave Cleveland fits to play against all game.
Wow! There are some hard critics on these Boards. With the Canucks decimated by injuries, there's now at least four guys in VanCity who might otherwise be with the Comets, including two of their best d-men and one of their top scorers.
They're getting by with a veteran PTO netminder and a raw rookie from the ECHL. And the Comets are dealing with injuries of their own. Yet despite all this, they still post two OT wins on the weekend and are only three points out of the top spot in the North Division.
Like I said, a tough crowd.
They're getting by with a veteran PTO netminder and a raw rookie from the ECHL. And the Comets are dealing with injuries of their own. Yet despite all this, they still post two OT wins on the weekend and are only three points out of the top spot in the North Division.
Like I said, a tough crowd.
I’m not sure where you’re taking that from?
Saturday game was boring/choppy but evenly played. Sunday game Utica were horrible early (shots were something like 18-2 Cleveland at one point) but they came back strong.
A lot of Utica’s top players didn’t have a great weekend but the depth/unlikely guys played well. 4th line with Hamilton/Arseneau was probably the best line overall.
I don’t see where myself or anyone else was negative about their performance.
Last night the Comets played the first period like Zombies and only the work of Leighton kept them in the game with a team coming into Utica on the 3rd of 3 in 3 nights, all on the road. Shots were 19-5, Cleveland. A couple of those five were long range dump ins on goal.
They came out in the 2nd and coughed up another in 30 seconds. They then stopped sleep walking, but continually bungled passes, sent passes too far or too short and turned the puck over. Continual failure to complete passes left them chasing the puck all period. Several players were stopped repeatedly on poor individual attempts to do it on their own since the passes weren't working, most notably Boucher. His puck handling skills are not better than average, if that. He is a sniper and should get rid of the puck and get to a spot where the next pass let's him rip it. You saw that on his PP goal, a vicious shot that the keeper was beaten so cleanly on you have to wonder if he actually saw it.
The D refused to carry the puck forward when their forwards were way too far up the ice, horrible gap maintenance. Dahlen, Boucher, and Lind are on rocket sleds as soon as it look like a Comet will gain possession and can't seem to figure out why a D-man deep in his own zone or even behind his net can't get the puck to them through a five-man neutral zone defensive scheme. My guess is they do that because they are so poor at moving the puck up ice on passes from the D to them on the half boards. The D's passes were constantly tipped to a mate, picked off, or went for icing when the intended target was contested. It wasn't until late in the second period when Saucerman started to rush the puck that Cleveland had to change their style and the Comets started to gain some momentum as other D-men followed his lead. They still gave up a 3rd goal and were down 3-0 at 16:25.
They caught a break when a long slapper by Sifers with Arseneau crashing down the slot managed to elude Berube and they took it into the dressing room trailing 3-1.
Then as has become a recent pattern they exploded for 3 goals in 3 minutes, this time starting in the middle of the period and all of a sudden a game they were not even in saw them ahead 4-3. Then following another pattern they gave the Monsters another one to tie the score 2 minutes later.
The 3rd period ended tied at 4 and Gaunce and Pyatt combined to produce the winner in OT. The second OT victory in consecutive nights, after blowing one goal leads late in the third to complete a 2-game sweep of the weekend and picked up 4 more points.
Smoke and mirrors readers, smoke and mirrors.
My favorite takeaway from this one was Adam Clendening *****ing loudly and repetitively at the Comets coaching staff in the OT for how long it took the Comets Equipment manager to repair what appeared to be a broken buckle on Leighton's mask, brought to the Comets bench by a ref, who oversaw the entire process from 2 feet at the most.
My greatest chuckle is that Clendening was standing, head drooping, in his own crease after the winning goal was scored and he was the last line of defense between Pyatt's poke in and a potential defensive sparkle in the goal crease. His flame was extinguished in short order.
He was also on the ice for 3 of the Comets 5 goals.
Counting the 2014-15 season when he played for both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL and the Rockford IceHogs and Utica Comets of the AHL, he has played for 7 NHL teams and 5 AHL teams. 12 different stops and the hockey world still has figured out this guy sucks.
LOL, LOL, Laughing my ass off.
They came out in the 2nd and coughed up another in 30 seconds. They then stopped sleep walking, but continually bungled passes, sent passes too far or too short and turned the puck over. Continual failure to complete passes left them chasing the puck all period. Several players were stopped repeatedly on poor individual attempts to do it on their own since the passes weren't working, most notably Boucher. His puck handling skills are not better than average, if that. He is a sniper and should get rid of the puck and get to a spot where the next pass let's him rip it. You saw that on his PP goal, a vicious shot that the keeper was beaten so cleanly on you have to wonder if he actually saw it.
The D refused to carry the puck forward when their forwards were way too far up the ice, horrible gap maintenance. Dahlen, Boucher, and Lind are on rocket sleds as soon as it look like a Comet will gain possession and can't seem to figure out why a D-man deep in his own zone or even behind his net can't get the puck to them through a five-man neutral zone defensive scheme. My guess is they do that because they are so poor at moving the puck up ice on passes from the D to them on the half boards. The D's passes were constantly tipped to a mate, picked off, or went for icing when the intended target was contested. It wasn't until late in the second period when Saucerman started to rush the puck that Cleveland had to change their style and the Comets started to gain some momentum as other D-men followed his lead. They still gave up a 3rd goal and were down 3-0 at 16:25.
They caught a break when a long slapper by Sifers with Arseneau crashing down the slot managed to elude Berube and they took it into the dressing room trailing 3-1.
Then as has become a recent pattern they exploded for 3 goals in 3 minutes, this time starting in the middle of the period and all of a sudden a game they were not even in saw them ahead 4-3. Then following another pattern they gave the Monsters another one to tie the score 2 minutes later.
The 3rd period ended tied at 4 and Gaunce and Pyatt combined to produce the winner in OT. The second OT victory in consecutive nights, after blowing one goal leads late in the third to complete a 2-game sweep of the weekend and picked up 4 more points.
Smoke and mirrors readers, smoke and mirrors.
My favorite takeaway from this one was Adam Clendening *****ing loudly and repetitively at the Comets coaching staff in the OT for how long it took the Comets Equipment manager to repair what appeared to be a broken buckle on Leighton's mask, brought to the Comets bench by a ref, who oversaw the entire process from 2 feet at the most.
My greatest chuckle is that Clendening was standing, head drooping, in his own crease after the winning goal was scored and he was the last line of defense between Pyatt's poke in and a potential defensive sparkle in the goal crease. His flame was extinguished in short order.
He was also on the ice for 3 of the Comets 5 goals.
Counting the 2014-15 season when he played for both the Chicago Blackhawks and the Vancouver Canucks in the NHL and the Rockford IceHogs and Utica Comets of the AHL, he has played for 7 NHL teams and 5 AHL teams. 12 different stops and the hockey world still has figured out this guy sucks.
LOL, LOL, Laughing my ass off.
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Megaterio Llamas
el rey del mambo
I had the feeling that Leighton was completely worn out physically at that stage; I was not surprised by that stalling maneuver. Savvy veteran play imo. I didn't catch the Clendening stuff lol.
Megaterio Llamas
el rey del mambo
Lindgren
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2005
- 6,002
- 3,921
The Comets got no help on the out of town scoreboard tonight: Toronto and Belleville both won.
The clip was broken and detaching it became a problem. The ref oversaw equipment manager Damion Parmelee working his ass off to get that mask fixed and never once said anything to him while he was working away. There was no ploy here unless Michael had some ingenious method of breaking his mask strap attachments. LOL
Clendening started in the neutral zone and kept moving closer and closer to the Comets bench and the Comets players joined in chirping back at him. It was hilarious that Clendening felt empowered to challenge the truth in the time stoppage while the referee was right there overseeing the entire operation.
Megaterio Llamas
el rey del mambo
I guess, but I did have the feeling he was in trouble with extreme fatigue in the minutes leading up to the extended 'time out'. I'm not lying about that, I was worried. Coincidence? Perhaps...
Cleveland game on Sunday.
Game not well played by either team. Utica with a very loggy and sloppy game at the start and fell back badly. Cleveland went south in the third when they went totally defensive and started icing the puck continually giving Utica a chance to get back into it.
Good
Gaunce - right now the MVP . With Kero the most consistent and effective player. Playing well both ways and making good use of his teammates. Tossed puck away a couple of times but this often had more to do with mis-reads by teammates. Seems to raise his game when needed which is an excellent sign. Can he help the Canucks - that appears more of open question than it was coming into this season.
Arnseneau - right now looks like found money. Couple of real hard shifts in the 2nd got the Comets going. Has legit speed from the blue line in and can lay a heavy check.
Sifers - had some jump in this game and moved puck up ice well as well as playing hard in his end. Maybe the best of the defense men
LeBlanc - steady. Keeps it simple and showed good coverage. Noted he was out in OT illustrating that Cull has some reliance in him.
Bad
Jasek - brutal. couldn't get the puck out of his end. Lots of times the Comets come out the right side and maybe the other team keys on this. But Cleveland just smothered and abused Jasek all game along the boards. Best Jasek could do most of the times was float it back to the defense man passing his problems along to someone else. Elsewhere on the ice mishandled the puck and forced into turnovers in the neutral zone. Showed absolutely nothing all game including nothing in the way of an offensive game. Didn't play much in the third and that was good thing. Arnseneau started taking his shifts
Woods - guy depends on energy and this was lacking in this game. Lugged badly and got standing around in the offensive zone. I think you can say that Woods reverted to the norm in this game. Hasn't the skill or all round game to play when he doesn't have the legs.
Chatfield - back to being awful. Him and McEneny were continually trapped in their end during the early going. Eventually that combo was broken up and ultimately Chatfield was benched. Chatfield gets running around trying to do way too much and just takes himself out of position and gets forced into traps and turnovers. Another game where he beat the puck to death and showed zero composure with the puck. Always doing things in a panic and loses track of check . Maybe needs to be sent to the ECHL.
Others
Darcy - agree he can't effectively use linemates. Little bit of tunnel vision.
Lind - looked ok in spots but never got much going.
Dahlen - thought again he showed an ability to spot the open man and be creative. However saddled with Woods and Jasek and nothing thus was going to come from this. Dahlen seems a complimentary player who might be a finisher or a smart set up man. He is not going to lead a line but could be effective if he is with someone who can get the puck in space. Tendency to avoid hits but I think he is getting better in traffic.
Boucher - has major league shot and is very dangerous in this League. Just cranked his shot home in the third. Could have better completed plays in this game but the Comets are ton better with him. One thing you notice is how solid Boucher in on his skates and how he bangs in the corners. Up to 49 points in 43 games. With expansion guys like him might yet get a shot in the NHL.
Leighton - fall off from his recent play. Got handcuffed by some shots and got lucky with shots that got behind him but drifted by the post.
Saucerman - generally knows how get space and move puck effectively. However could see at times he had trouble handling pressure deep in his zone. Smart player but not hugely talented. Shows he understand the game and probably looks to be coaching material down the road.
Gardiner - was more of factor than he was in earlier call ups. Got in on the play and not just out in the weeds like he was earlier. Made a nice play on the Guance goal.
Another important win but the Comets need to play better than this.
Game not well played by either team. Utica with a very loggy and sloppy game at the start and fell back badly. Cleveland went south in the third when they went totally defensive and started icing the puck continually giving Utica a chance to get back into it.
Good
Gaunce - right now the MVP . With Kero the most consistent and effective player. Playing well both ways and making good use of his teammates. Tossed puck away a couple of times but this often had more to do with mis-reads by teammates. Seems to raise his game when needed which is an excellent sign. Can he help the Canucks - that appears more of open question than it was coming into this season.
Arnseneau - right now looks like found money. Couple of real hard shifts in the 2nd got the Comets going. Has legit speed from the blue line in and can lay a heavy check.
Sifers - had some jump in this game and moved puck up ice well as well as playing hard in his end. Maybe the best of the defense men
LeBlanc - steady. Keeps it simple and showed good coverage. Noted he was out in OT illustrating that Cull has some reliance in him.
Bad
Jasek - brutal. couldn't get the puck out of his end. Lots of times the Comets come out the right side and maybe the other team keys on this. But Cleveland just smothered and abused Jasek all game along the boards. Best Jasek could do most of the times was float it back to the defense man passing his problems along to someone else. Elsewhere on the ice mishandled the puck and forced into turnovers in the neutral zone. Showed absolutely nothing all game including nothing in the way of an offensive game. Didn't play much in the third and that was good thing. Arnseneau started taking his shifts
Woods - guy depends on energy and this was lacking in this game. Lugged badly and got standing around in the offensive zone. I think you can say that Woods reverted to the norm in this game. Hasn't the skill or all round game to play when he doesn't have the legs.
Chatfield - back to being awful. Him and McEneny were continually trapped in their end during the early going. Eventually that combo was broken up and ultimately Chatfield was benched. Chatfield gets running around trying to do way too much and just takes himself out of position and gets forced into traps and turnovers. Another game where he beat the puck to death and showed zero composure with the puck. Always doing things in a panic and loses track of check . Maybe needs to be sent to the ECHL.
Others
Darcy - agree he can't effectively use linemates. Little bit of tunnel vision.
Lind - looked ok in spots but never got much going.
Dahlen - thought again he showed an ability to spot the open man and be creative. However saddled with Woods and Jasek and nothing thus was going to come from this. Dahlen seems a complimentary player who might be a finisher or a smart set up man. He is not going to lead a line but could be effective if he is with someone who can get the puck in space. Tendency to avoid hits but I think he is getting better in traffic.
Boucher - has major league shot and is very dangerous in this League. Just cranked his shot home in the third. Could have better completed plays in this game but the Comets are ton better with him. One thing you notice is how solid Boucher in on his skates and how he bangs in the corners. Up to 49 points in 43 games. With expansion guys like him might yet get a shot in the NHL.
Leighton - fall off from his recent play. Got handcuffed by some shots and got lucky with shots that got behind him but drifted by the post.
Saucerman - generally knows how get space and move puck effectively. However could see at times he had trouble handling pressure deep in his zone. Smart player but not hugely talented. Shows he understand the game and probably looks to be coaching material down the road.
Gardiner - was more of factor than he was in earlier call ups. Got in on the play and not just out in the weeds like he was earlier. Made a nice play on the Guance goal.
Another important win but the Comets need to play better than this.
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