The Utica Comets Thread | Part 40 | RIP 2016-2017 Comets.

[PG Canuck]

ROSTER

GOALTENDERS
30 Thatcher Demko
32 Richard Bachman

DEFENSEMEN
4 Evan McEneny
5 David Shields
6 Ashton Sautner
7 Jordan Subban
8 John Negrin
37 Andrey Pedan
41 Chad Billins
43 Tom Nilsson
48 Colby Robak

FORWARDS
11 Marco Roy
14 Mike Zalewski
16 Joseph LaBate
18 Jake Virtanen
19 Cole Cassels
20 Cody Kunyk
23 Pascal Pelletier
24 Derek Hulak
25 Darren Archibald
28 Alexandre Grenier
34 Carter Bancks
36 Wacey Hamilton
38 Curtis Valk
58 Michael Carcone
71 Borna Rendulic​

Click to read more...

 

[Bad Goalie]

3/25/17
Utica Comerts at Syracuse Crunch

Forwards:
Archibald/Valk/Grenier
Roy/Hamilton/Bancks
Kunyk/Cassels/Virtanen
Carcone/Pelletier/Zalewski

D-Pairs:
Pedan/Robak
McEneny/Subban
Billins/Shields

Goal - Demko

Comets had 2 PPs in the first 6 minutes and mustered 1 shot which was their total for the period until...........

Zalewski SCORES! 2nd shot of the period at 10:27

1-0 Comets

Zalewski(5) from Billins(15) and Pelletier(18)

A little over a minute later, as the Comets are prone to allowing, the Crunch answer with the equalizer. Conacher all alone on a rebound in the crease at 11:56. The puck was in the right corner and that left Pedan or offside winger
Kunyk to pick up that loose guy away from the puck. Neither was there. Demko tried to push Conacher away as the first shot was coming off him and failed, leaving Cory an open net.
1-1

Period one comes to an end.
1-1

SOG 10-4 Syracuse.

PP:
Comets 0/2

Comets played a poor period. Allowed the Crunch to run around at will in the Comets end. Lots of puck watching and wrong side defending enabling guys to get the puck and head straight towards the net. Have to get their feet working and have a reason to do what they do. A lot of aimless play on the part of Utica.

 

[UticaHockey]

BG not sure if you know but the game is on TV. TWC channel 26. I know you don't usually watch AHL Live.

 

[Bad Goalie]

On to the second.

Conacher aloowed to walk right in as the Crunch came in on a rush and the Comets just backed right in. Demko the save but a penalty for hooking is called on guess who? Hamilton. Utica to the PK.

Shot and save by Demko.
Conacher in close Demko the save.
Conacher again and muffs the shot.
Demko save on a long shot.
Cleared out.
Cleared again.
Stopped at the line. Regroup, but the penalty is killed.

Crunch right back in and pressure applied once again.

Comets still with 4 shots and this game is all Syracuse.

Conacher 2 more tries, Cory is doing absolutely anything he wants. It's ridiculous.

Utica is treading water and Demko is keeping them in it. There is no offensive push whatsoever as not one guy can actually gain clean possession of the puck.

Comets to the PP. Tripping call.

3rd PP of the Game. 1 shot so far.
Save McKenna.
Mac a shot. Bounces in on goal and cleared out.
2 on 1 shorthanded. No shot. They blew it.
Now a breakaway for the Crunch. Save. rebound. Goal

Replay and disallowed as it was kicked in.

Another penalty coming and Demko leaves the net. The Comets can't even give the puck to the Crunch to get the whistle.

Very short 5 on 3
Subban big shot Save.
Subban another shot blocked.
First penalty done.
Same problem as always the Comets chasing the puck all over the Crunch zone but can't gain possession.
Shot out.
Shot out again.
Subbana terrible shot.
Carcone a chance .
Peanlty over.

Virtanen breaks in and the save is made. Penalty called as Jake was whacked. Now Jake getting into it with said whacker. The call is to Virtanen for retaliation slash.

PK
Big shot in close and bigger save.
Syracuse moves the puck around at will.
Uticas a 2 on 1 .Save. Now Archi is called for interefernec o]in fornt. Not a good call.

5 on 3 for the Crunch.

Demko saves and holds on.

Deflection out and the first one is over.
Here they come again.
Save
Another
Long bomb one timer. Goal. Tipped in front I believe.
PP goal

This game looks like a Jr team against an NHL team. Utica is that bad. They were not good last night but this is just ridiculous.

Archi blasted into the Crunch bench. Penalty.

Comets to the PP once again. The Crunch have had the better play vs the Comets PPs so far.

Good flurry, but cleared out.
Intercepted and cleared out on a pass to Conacher for another breakaway but just tipped wide of him.
Now he gets one and Demko the save.
This is just inexplicable.
They cannot even cross the blue line and keep possession.
PP is over.

Comets called for another penalty. Thye are lucky this game isn't 6-1 already and they just keep comitting stupid penalties. Syracusde is the best dirtbag team in nthe league. Thye will bait you at every opportunity all during play and before and after whistles. Utica knows this and normally doesn't bite. This reffing crew is also whistle happy and seems bound to get the calls even by the end of the period.

What a difference in PPs.
Crunch walk right in, set up, and pepper the net. Comets can't even get into the zone and surrender short handed chances at 3 for a quarter.
PK successful. Period winding down and the Comets have 10 shots including 5 PPs. Putrid.

Period ends and it's 2-1 Syracuse.

SOG 15-7 Crunch for a 2-period total of 25-11 Crunch.

 

[Bad Goalie]

BG not sure if you know but the game is on TV. TWC channel 26. I know you don't usually watch AHL Live.

Thanx. I am watching it and it's just a horrible performance thus far.

I post for the Canucks guys who check in later. It's also stopping me from throwing something through my giant screen as my hands are busy. This game is so important considering that they have W-B/Scranton tomorrow. To get 4 pts this weekend this game is the most winnable of the two. St. John's and Toronto have already won, but Albany was shut out. A win tonight ties them in points with Albany and keeps them within one of St. John's with a game in hand. A loss aside, they can't lapse into a stretch of this kind of mindless hockey. It's not like they don't know their success recently has been their never ending grinding 200 ft pressure coupled with Demko's play. They can't blame thatcher for his effort, but he should be ready to sue for non support and abandonment. The majority of the forwards are simply MIA in both ends tonight and actually most of last night. Carcone, Roy, Cassels, Kunyk, Virtanen, Valk, Pelletier, Hamilton, Bancks, Grenier. Have you seen them make any plays in their own end? Z and Archi are the only two I have seen battling. It's like a race track with chutes to the net in Utica's end. These guys should have directional flags to direct the Crunch to their net.

 

[Bad Goalie]

3rd is underway and the Comets get in on the Crunch.
Subban gets a chance.
Comets back in and McKenna gloves an easy long one from the point.
Jake a steal and a not so hot shot turned aside
Billins and Shields with tries.

A little bit better start here.

Comets D is just coasting backwards. There is no challenge of the puck carrier. Free shots are invited!
Great pressure by the Crunch.

Kurtz on a back door run in from the point. Wide open for the goal. 3-1 Crunch.
Forgive me people but I can' stay with this any further. This effort is just puke inducing.

 

[Zombotron]

It's okay if you take a break tonight, BG. The Comets didn't show up.

 

[Zombotron]

Garbage.

 

[VanJack]

I worry about the Comets running out of gas late in the season....without any natural goal-scorers they have to rely on grinding it out night after night, along with stellar goaltending....it takes its toll....and three games in three nights doesn't help much either.

Their powerplay, or lack thereof, could be their undoing.....just too hard to score five-on-five with so much on the line.

 

[denkiteki]

Didn't watch the game but based on other posts... i wonder of Demko has any gas left. There's only so much a goalie can do and considering the pressure of the last 2 games, its hard to imagine he has much left for tomorrow.

The fact Green left him in there after the 3rd (and 4th/5th) goal probably suggest Garteig gets the game tomorrow.

 

[Bad Goalie]

3/26/17
Utica Comets at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

A contest between a team fighting for the last playoff spot in the weakest of the AHL's 4 Divisions vs the top team in the entire AHL. Again the 3rd of 3 in 3 for the 4th weekend in a row. They have won at least 2 in the previous 3 weekends. After last night's no show performance, the Comets have only increased the pressure on themselves to stay in the playoff hunt by trying to find a way to grab points against the league's top team.

Forwards:
Kunyk/Pelletier/Carcone
Archibald/Zalewski/Grenier
?/Valk/Virtanen
Cassels/Hamilton/Bancks

Pedan/Robak
McEneny/Subban
Negrin/Sautner

Goal - Garteig

Grenier stripped in his own end and Garteig a great save. Vancouver would be better served without him another season.

Comets hemmed in after the face off and now a hooking call on our boy Hamilton. He continually picks up these calls because he doesn't keep his feet moving.
Archi gets it down the ice.
Pens back in and Garteig a save.
Another save and Comets can't clear.
Another shot tipped out of play.
1:13 left.
Shot wide.
Garteig another stop and he holds on.
Draw lost and a shot wide. Robak can't clear, but Pedan gets it out.
Shot wide.
Penalty killed but pressure continues.

Save by Garteig and he holds on.

Comets win the draw and ice it.

Another stop by Garteig.

TV TO 13:35 left in the first.

Bancks hit by a shot from McEneny and appears to be hurt.

Archi and Z pressure and a save is made.

More pressure and Cassels can't push it across in the crease.

Off the draw Hamilton is stopped.

Pens pressure. Corrado a shot blocked. Yes, FRANKIE!

Archi and Z in and the shot is stopped and held.

Robak a big shot, held for a faceoff.

Archi with a shot, saved.

Subban a shot, blocker save.

TV TO 5:27 left and the Comets going to the PP.
Last night's PP was an exercise in total incompetence. Syracuse had better chances than the Comets during all 5 of their PPs. The comets could not establish possession.

Off the draw it's sent out. They never win an offensive draw.
Grenier dawdles with the puck, stripped and shot out.
Back in and right back out.
Shot by the Pens. Utica doesn't have one yet.
Comets stopped at the blue line and back out. Now they can't complete a pass in their own end.
Back down again and Kunyk drops to Billins who gets a shot on net held for a face off
Robak a shot off the draw and rebound by Cassels, both shots stopped.

Back to even strength.

Center ice face off.

Negrin a shot, pad save.

Pens shot, glove save by Garteig for a whistle.

Virtanen to Kunyk and shot is blocked. Another by Virtanen, save.

Shot at Garteig bounces way into the air and carcone has problems controlling it, but finally gets it out. Boarding call against the Pens.

Draw lost and cleared out.
Kunyk stopped on a pass from Grenier.
Archi a shot and the horn sounds to end the period.

Have to give the Comets credit for kicking up the effort after last night's debacle.

Score after the first 0-0

SOG
21 - 14 UTICA

There is a problem coming up with the actual line setups as the lineup listed on AHL.com lists 11 forwards and 7 D-men. All 7 D have been mentioned in the play by play and the forwards keep moving around from shift to shift.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Anyone out there watching this game on AHL.com? What's with the 7 D?
Is one of them playing on a wing or is it 7 D with injury return Negrin getting limited time.

Zilch just confirmed 7 D are dressed for the first time in a game this season.

Hulak and Rendulic are the only forwards listed as injured. Thus, Roy must have incurred the displeasure of the staff as he is out and 7 D are dressed. Assume that French and McKenzie have not been assimilated into the loop yet. They are signed but neither is listed anywhere on the Comets website (which sucks anyways so I don't usually put much stock in that.) I don't think McKenzie has even had a full practice yet. The rotating forwards seems to have ignited some kind of push. Perhaps Green had a bit to say before this one.

 

[Bad Goalie]

On to the 2nd period. Comets still on the PP. I expect to see the Pens step up their play this period.

Comets into the zone and Pens send it back out. Comets back in and actually set up. Working around the perimeter. 2 shots both wide but possession is maintained. Now the keeper gets a dribbling puck under control for the face off.

Comets clear the zone themselves.

Even strength and Blueger out of the box gets in and causes a face off

Pens get two off the draw and Garteig holds on for a face off.

Comets into the Pens end and Billins a big shot and DeSmith holds on.

Shot by Bancks held on by DeSmith.

Pens in, a shot stopped by Garteig, and the Comets get it out.

Off sides Pens. 16:22 to go.

A lot of back and forth going on now.

Now the Pens score, but it's immediately waved off. A penalty called against the Comets. The puck hit the crossbar and then the post and bounced out. Garteig wants an interference call. Thatcher needs to calm Garteig down at the bench as the play is reviewed. Get his mental focus under control.

McEneny gets a cross checking call.
Comets win the draw and the Comets get out and Bancks gets a shot. Net is off and it's a face off.
Pens back in. A shot, wide,
2 more shots, both blocked and Garteig reels it in.
Archi clears it out after some perimeter work.
Here they come again. Sautner can't clear as penalty ends, but pressure continues.
Carcone can't get it out twice and the pressure continues.
Puck finally out of the zone.

Pelletier gets out and his stick is hacked in two. Slashing call on the Pens.

Comets PP
Valk a drive off the face off and a quick whistle with the puck in the corner not with the keeper.

McEneny a shot, pad save. Rebound and Archi
!!!!!!!!!!!!SCORES!!!!!!!!!!!! 9:50
1-0 Comets.
Archibald(21) from McEneny(14) and Kunyk(22) PP

Off the draw Carcone elbows Corrado at the blue line and the Comets go back to the PK.

Bancks to Hamilton and out.

Shot and a goal. 10:31
That took little time.
1-1
Gill shot from the boards and it deflected in front for the goal. Maybe off Robak. Gill is credited with it for now.

Teams trade PP goals in 40 seconds and it's back to an even game.

Z in and shoots. Stopped and held by DeSmith.

Jake smacked.

Kunyk and Jake in 2 on 1 and it's no goal by Jake on pass from Cody.

One timer in front of Garteig wide. Wow! Wide open in front.

Another one timer in front off a squib pass out from a scrum in the corner. Garteig stops it. Pens are swarming now.

4:14 left in the 2nd.

Pedan shot and pad save.

Puck poked off Pedan's stick. He hooks the guy. Gill dives. Both get 2.

4 on 4 and this is not good for the Comets who play 4 on 4 as if it's a penalty kill. The Pens are highly skilled and the extra ice favors them. Archi high sticked and delayed call is coming. Garteig gets off and the Comets have an extra man but Grenier in his infinite wisdom can't make a decision at the hash mark and sends it towards the net where it's blocked and the whistle goes.

Comets controlling the puck. A shot wide. Another turned to the corner and another held on for the face off. Draw lost and sent down. Comets stopped at the blue line and sent all the way back down. Comets turn it over at the blue line but they get it back. Off sides Utica and the period ends on the ensuing face off.

After 2 it's 1-1

SOG: 15-12 Pens for a 2-period total of 33-29 Utica.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Third period about to get underway,
Comets still have 12 seconds left on a PP.

St. John's has lost to Hershey. This is their game in hand on Albany who lead them by 2 points. This game is huge for the Comets.

Comets in of the face off and Cassels had 2 attempts, but no go.
Archi with 2 shots and Grenier is stopped in front by DeSmith.

Billins stopped from the point. Sautner a drive stopped by DeSmith. Pens ice it.

Grenier to Arhci for a one timer, follows his shot and gets another, stopped, and then Grenier gets a onetimer on a pass from Archi, also stopped.

All that effort and Simone scores to put Pens up....

2-1.

13:51 to go and the shots are 40-31 Comets. Oh for a sniper or 2 vs all these plumbers.

Here comes Archi again. Shot deflected wide.

Subban turns it over trying to skate it out. Now Carcone can't get it out. Puck is out to center and they get caught 3 on 1 off a terrible change and Garteig bails them out.

2 on 1 Comets and Jake misses the net.

Billins gets it deep. Grenier to Archi and his shot is blocked and shot out to center.

Pens get in and Garteig deflects it out.

Cassels in, to Bancks, and return to Cassels is knocked out for icing. Clock is ticking away and the Comets have to have one. Two drives by McEneny and DeSmith stops 'em.

7:30 to go.

Carcone two shots. A save and backhander wide. Icing.

Icing again.

Comets can't complete 2 passes as the Pens turn to shut down mode.

Under 6 to go.

Pens putting a blanket over the Comets right now.

McEneny a low drive and Grenier sends it off the end boards and Kunyk breaks his stick on a one timer attempt.

Comets pressing, but the Pens are keeping everything outside.
3 to go.

1:37 left and Garteig is gone.
Subban shot gloved and held onto.

Draw won. McEneny shot tipped out.

1:11 left.

Pens win the draw and the Pens get a shot at the net but they tip it wide. Center ice face off with Garteig back on the ice. Garteig gone with :30 left. Two shots but not on. Two more shots and both are blocked. Game over

Comets lose it 2-1

Where the Hell was this effort last night????

SOG:
Comets 21 12 13 - 46
Penguins 14 15 4 - 33

PP:
Comets - 1/4
Penguins - 1/3

Garteig - 31/33

3 Stars:
1st - DeSmith (Pens) 45/46
2nd - Simon (Pens) GWG

46 shots on goal and no Comet was worth a star. Homer star selections. I'd give the 3rd to Archibald who scored and was grinding all night setting up mates and shooting pucks all over the place.
3rd - Gill (Pens) 1G

Here's the current situation.

Albany 67 GP 73 Pts
St. John's 68 GP 74 Pts
Utica 67 GP 71 Pts

Comets have 9 games and 18 points on the table. It's a tall task.

 

[Ziostilon]

better luck next week when they come back to WBS

 

[Clinton Comets EHL]

Need goals. This is worse this weekend than the 2.10 average we had those 30 games mid season. 3 goals in 3 games. Lucky to win one on Friday.

 

[VanJack]

Unfortunately the Comets are falling behind in the 'win' column....a couple of critical losses this weekend.....offense is the issue......team just can't get a goal at key times in hockey games....can't rely on defense and goaltending every night.

The pp is letting them down.....same kind of thing happened in VanCity this year.....if you can't score on the pp, then you're in trouble...because it's just too hard to score 5 on 5.

 

[UticaHockey]

Unfortunately the Comets are falling behind in the 'win' column....a couple of critical losses this weekend.....offense is the issue......team just can't get a goal at key times in hockey games....can't rely on defense and goaltending every night.

The pp is letting them down.....same kind of thing happened in VanCity this year.....if you can't score on the pp, then you're in trouble...because it's just too hard to score 5 on 5.

You can only out grind and out work the opponent for so long. You need to have a few players that can create plays and score goals.

 

[go comets]

The team really misses Rendulic and also Labate. They are back to a small group of forwards without them, and Rendlich was one of the hottest comets untill he got hurt.

Garteig looked very strong today, played a solid game.

 

[denkiteki]

At least next weekend, Utica has 2 games vs Rochester but St. John has 2 vs BNG (both teams on the basement). Utica pretty much needs to beat Rochester both times next week and maybe beat the Pens on the 3rd game.

Have to imagine French is playing next week. There's no reason for Utica to sign him to a ATO and not play. Garteig probably played as good as he could've but Utica just can't seem to buy a goal.

I wonder if Green will try Carcone with Grenier (and not Valk) as a line any time soon. My guess is those 2 have the best offensive skillset on the team but neither are responsible in their own end (reason for a non-Valk center). Green seems to be experimenting with lines so that's one combo i think he might want to try (with either Pelletier or Z).

Not sure if anything is wrong with Valk but he's on a massive slump. One point in his last 6 games. 7 points in his last 18 as well. Grenier has been slumping a bit since being up and down with Vancouver too (2 points in his last 8 games and they were in the same game, of course in the middle of that slump he was in Vancouver and also in Vancouver before).

At this point, if 'nucks want Utica to make the playoffs, they might have to send Goldobin down and hope he sparks the offense. 41 pt in 46 games, he would be 4th in Utica scoring but only 1 point behind everyone... also 8 points in his last 5 AHL games... aka more than the "top" line that has been split up again.

Of course with Beiga playing forward... it doesn't look like 'nucks can send Goldobin down even if they want to (and Skillie might be out for the rest of the year too). That means Grenier might be back in Vancouver next weekend too...

Kinda sucks when the NHL team is out of the playoff but need to still call players up because fact is, everyone is hurt and they need to fill their roster (also we can't call random players up due to already using our 4 recalls, the call-up pretty much has to be Grenier because they 4 are: Gaunce, Grenier, Goldobin, and LaBate).

 

[denkiteki]

The team really misses Rendulic and also Labate. They are back to a small group of forwards without them, and Rendlich was one of the hottest comets untill he got hurt.

Garteig looked very strong today, played a solid game.

If you want size, MacEwen's team is down 2-0 in their series so he could be in Utica by next weekend. Not sure how helpful he'll be but he can't be any worst than Roy... his team might be eliminated as early as Wednesday (game 5 would be Friday if they manage to win 1).

 

[vanuck]

At least next weekend, Utica has 2 games vs Rochester but St. John has 2 vs BNG (both teams on the basement). Utica pretty much needs to beat Rochester both times next week and maybe beat the Pens on the 3rd game.

Have to imagine French is playing next week. There's no reason for Utica to sign him to a ATO and not play. Garteig probably played as good as he could've but Utica just can't seem to buy a goal.

I wonder if Green will try Carcone with Grenier (and not Valk) as a line any time soon. My guess is those 2 have the best offensive skillset on the team but neither are responsible in their own end (reason for a non-Valk center). Green seems to be experimenting with lines so that's one combo i think he might want to try (with either Pelletier or Z).

Not sure if anything is wrong with Valk but he's on a massive slump. One point in his last 6 games. 7 points in his last 18 as well. Grenier has been slumping a bit since being up and down with Vancouver too (2 points in his last 8 games and they were in the same game, of course in the middle of that slump he was in Vancouver and also in Vancouver before).

At this point, if 'nucks want Utica to make the playoffs, they might have to send Goldobin down and hope he sparks the offense. 41 pt in 46 games, he would be 4th in Utica scoring but only 1 point behind everyone... also 8 points in his last 5 AHL games... aka more than the "top" line that has been split up again.

Of course with Beiga playing forward... it doesn't look like 'nucks can send Goldobin down even if they want to (and Skillie might be out for the rest of the year too). That means Grenier might be back in Vancouver next weekend too...

Kinda sucks when the NHL team is out of the playoff but need to still call players up because fact is, everyone is hurt and they need to fill their roster (also we can't call random players up due to already using our 4 recalls, the call-up pretty much has to be Grenier because they 4 are: Gaunce, Grenier, Goldobin, and LaBate).

Still not sure what to think of signing Boeser to play for the Nucks instead of the Comets... at this point we should be trying to get everyone down to Utica who can help them make the playoffs, call up all the AHL dregs and just tank for a higher pick. Win-win for both the NHL and AHL club.

 

[tyhee]

...

Have to imagine French is playing next week. There's no reason for Utica to sign him to a ATO and not play. ...

He might play.

There's a possibility he was signed largely for depth and if they have enough healthy bodies otherwise then he'll only get in if he's impressed enough in practice for Green to think he might be an upgrade over someone, taking into account some tired, banged up players won't be at full effectiveness.

 

[Slapshot_11]

Does Virtanen throw any hits?

 

[ihaveyuidonttouchme]

any of u guys seen new comers in the practice so far especially mckenzie? first impressions?