2021-22 Utica Comets and ECHL thread - part V

[Jack Be Quick]

Bahl getting tossed for that

Big statement by the boys upstate tonight. Just want to see more from Holtz moving forward. And I'm betting we will.

 

[OmNomNom]

LOL i love these afters, okh is such a pissant

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Ok, Vuk, and Gams all getting into it after the final horn trying to get the game puck back from Murray.

Final SOG 40-22 Utica.

15-8 Comets in the third.

Three Stars:
1. UTI - A. Greer
2. UTI - J. Gambardella
3. UTI - R. Walsh

 

[OmNomNom]

i really do love Jason Shaya's calls - hopefully he gets a shot at the NHL level one day

 

[Jack Be Quick]

I haven't been able to watch, but Holtz is 2nd on the team with 4 shots on goal.

I didn't see the first 30 minutes so perhaps Rochester made adjustments to contain him?

What I do know is that I found several other guys to be putting in work out there while barely hearing his name mentioned. He also had 0 points in a game in which the team put up a legit 6.

I'm sure he'll be fine, just commenting on what I saw.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

i really do love Jason Shaya's calls - hopefully he gets a shot at the NHL level one day

Shaya has called three Carolina games with Tripp Tracy as a replacement and he called a game (maybe more than one) with Chico on the radio this season. Rob Lippolis got to do the same last year at the end of the season.

I'm not a fan.

Shaya did say the reason that Game 2 isn't until Saturday is because the Aud (Adirondack Bank Center) is booked with graduations through then.

 

[youryeah]

the utica announcer is lit. love that guy

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

I haven't been able to watch, but Holtz is 2nd on the team with 4 shots on goal.

Holtz was targeted and got hit frequently early in the game.

He had more chances than his 4 SOG that like a lot of other Comets tonight, went wide or high.

Rust was evident in the first period, but they found their legs for the rest of the game.

 

[Jack Be Quick]

Holtz was targeted and got hit frequently early in the game.

He had more chances than his 4 SOG that like a lot of other Comets tonight, went wide or high.

Rust was evident in the first period, but they found their legs for the rest of the game.

That sounds about like what I would suspect.

Perhaps targeting him is what freed up Z and Greer so often? I don't catch many, well any, Comets games so I'm not sure of the usual line combos.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

Cory Schneider loses 3-2 to Charlotte after being up 2-0 after one.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Bad 1st , but a good win. They played.much better in the 2nd and 3rd period. Utica has pretty much everyone healthy which is good. Maybe if Rochester had UPL in goal than it's a closer game. Regardless this was a good start to the playoffs for the Comets. The Utica Auditorium looked like it had a great atmosphere once the Comets got the crowd going in the 2nd period.

 

[UticaHockey]

What a fun game to be at tonight. It took a period for the Comets to shake 10 days of rust off, but when they did, they dominated the final 40 minutes. The Comets played a game that I rarely see them play which was finishing every check to physically dominate the Amerks. They specifically frustrated Jack Quinn all night long. Sam Laberge was the unsung hero tonight.

The crowd and atmosphere was fantastic tonight and the team fed off them. Greer was especially good along with Zetterlund. Bahl was great on defense usually his size well. Holtz is the player that most Devils will care about but this wasn't one of his best performances. Weak with the puck in the dzone and not noticable enough in the offensive zone. This was a typical playoff game with the refs swallowing the whistle so with only one Comets PP Holtz didn't get a chance to use his shot as much as he normally would.

 

[Omar Little]

Greer with the taunts on those goals. Hope we win the series haha

 

[My3Sons]

What a fun game to be at tonight. It took a period for the Comets to shake 10 days of rust off, but when they did, they dominated the final 40 minutes. The Comets played a game that I rarely see them play which was finishing every check to physically dominate the Amerks. They specifically frustrated Jack Quinn all night long. Sam Laberge was the unsung hero tonight.

The crowd and atmosphere was fantastic tonight and the team fed off them. Greer was especially good along with Zetterlund. Bahl was great on defense usually his size well. Holtz is the player that most Devils will care about but this wasn't one of his best performances. Weak with the puck in the dzone and not noticable enough in the offensive zone. This was a typical playoff game with the refs swallowing the whistle so with only one Comets PP Holtz didn't get a chance to use his shot as much as he normally would.

I’m not surprised that the late season NHL callup guys played well after building some confidence in NJ. Especially Zetterlund. He looked legit in that late season stretch of games when most of thr team was injured sick or just waiting for the season to end. Holtz is talented and will adjust. This has to be a new experience for him.

 

[Tao Jersey Jones]

What a fun game to be at tonight. It took a period for the Comets to shake 10 days of rust off, but when they did, they dominated the final 40 minutes. The Comets played a game that I rarely see them play which was finishing every check to physically dominate the Amerks. They specifically frustrated Jack Quinn all night long. Sam Laberge was the unsung hero tonight.

The crowd and atmosphere was fantastic tonight and the team fed off them. Greer was especially good along with Zetterlund. Bahl was great on defense usually his size well. Holtz is the player that most Devils will care about but this wasn't one of his best performances. Weak with the puck in the dzone and not noticable enough in the offensive zone. This was a typical playoff game with the refs swallowing the whistle so with only one Comets PP Holtz didn't get a chance to use his shot as much as he normally would.

Redemption for Laberge after boarding Alt that led to Rochester's PP goal.

Halonen got beat on the first goal, but he had 3 SOG. Interesting that he got in over Clarke.

 

[Bad Goalie]

The old adage in hockey is come playoff time the vets are supposed to show the kids the way.

#1 - The kids got the 1st one early in the 5th minute of the 2nd period with the Comets down 2-0 at the time.
From that point forward the vets paved the way to victory.

#2 - Vet Russo a rocket to tie it up a minute later.

#3 - Vet Captain Schmelzer got #3 to tie it up again after Rochetser had regained their 1-goal lead 3-2. It was an all-vet goal with assists going to Deleo and Greer.

#4 - The game winner came from vet Asst Captain Gambardella ( not really a vet , but a 4yr pro who was acquired to add some leadership to this young squad. He is a warrior from the opening face off to the final horn and as we saw in this one even after the horn if need be. His goal was the result of a great inside move and rush to the net by Z who's shot hit the far high crotch and crossed behind the keeper and hit the near post and dropped to the ice just as Gambie arrived to bang it home. He had sprinted Hellbent up the ice to follow Z to the net and his work paid off with what turned out to be the winning goal. Drive the net kids! That's where a mess of goals are scored by those who dare.

#s 5 & 6 - Then VE Greer put this one on ice with the last 2. The first coming after receiving the draw from Talvitie he arced into the high slot and rifled a shot high and deep into the twine.
His 2nd was the offensive beauty of the night. He used a slick move to slide himself and the puck past the Amerk defender who had him squared up 1 on 1 out near the blueline. The next thing the guy knew he was waving at air as Greer was in all alone on his keeper where AJ used those hands once again to dumbfound Dell and slid it home. That said, "Good night, Amerks."

Zetterlund had a great game, but came up empty on his chances. Bahl and OK were steady, but Ok had a couple egregious giveaways that he survived.

All of the Comets to a man got taken advantage of in the 1st period when getting out of their own end became an epic event. They fell into the habit of little push passes that were just gobbled up by speedy Amerks just waiting like piranhas to feed upon Comets miscues. They tried to overcome that issue by making the 90+ foot passes to center ice or farther unfortunately to a mate covered like a blanket by not 1, but very often 2 Amerks or it just went by for an icing. Thus, the puck came back to their own end where the tired group, who couldn't get it out of their own end in the 1st place was doomed to try again.

I mentioned during the game that the wide open points became the Amerks safety zone to keep possession and remount attacks over and over interspersed with walk down the ice blasts from circle depth or closer. The Comets dodged the proverbial bullet when the Amerks failed to capitalize on the numerous open net chances they were given before the Comets woke up and decided there was game to play vs a team that beat them on the same effort in the season's finale 8-1, which got Rochester into the playoffs in the first place.

The Comets outshot the Amerks 20-5 in the 2nd, outscored them 3-1, and finished the period tied at 3.

The 3 in the 2nd were matched by 3 in the 3rd while outshooting the Amerks 15 to 8 in that one. Howver, Daws was called upon to make a couple of 3-bell saves to keep the Amerks at bay until his mates put this one away. This was 2 games in a row that Daws gave up very quick ones to put his team behind the 8-ball. He got away with this one, but he has to take the crease ready to battle right form the drop of the puck in the future. A team can't always bail it's keeper out after a very poor start. 2 goals on the 1st 3 shots to start a game can sound a death knell.

 

[Emperoreddy]

What a fun game to be at tonight. It took a period for the Comets to shake 10 days of rust off, but when they did, they dominated the final 40 minutes. The Comets played a game that I rarely see them play which was finishing every check to physically dominate the Amerks. They specifically frustrated Jack Quinn all night long. Sam Laberge was the unsung hero tonight.

The crowd and atmosphere was fantastic tonight and the team fed off them. Greer was especially good along with Zetterlund. Bahl was great on defense usually his size well. Holtz is the player that most Devils will care about but this wasn't one of his best performances. Weak with the puck in the dzone and not noticable enough in the offensive zone. This was a typical playoff game with the refs swallowing the whistle so with only one Comets PP Holtz didn't get a chance to use his shot as much as he normally would.

Z is a young guy that is quickly showing he deserves more attention. He looked good his last call up too.

He is someone I gussed could have a really big playoffs.

 

[Guttersniped]

Got there late, after a shit ton of driving, but was richly rewarded with a sweet victory.

 

[Emperoreddy]

Got there late, after a shit ton of driving, but was richly rewarded with a sweet victory.

View attachment 544459

Ahhh your fault that first period went so poorly

 

[Jack Be Quick]

What a fun game to be at tonight. It took a period for the Comets to shake 10 days of rust off, but when they did, they dominated the final 40 minutes. The Comets played a game that I rarely see them play which was finishing every check to physically dominate the Amerks. They specifically frustrated Jack Quinn all night long. Sam Laberge was the unsung hero tonight.

The crowd and atmosphere was fantastic tonight and the team fed off them. Greer was especially good along with Zetterlund. Bahl was great on defense usually his size well. Holtz is the player that most Devils will care about but this wasn't one of his best performances. Weak with the puck in the dzone and not noticable enough in the offensive zone. This was a typical playoff game with the refs swallowing the whistle so with only one Comets PP Holtz didn't get a chance to use his shot as much as he normally would.

I said it a few weeks ago in the Holtz thread but would like to reiterate here that you guys are fantastic.

It's such a breath of fresh air to see the crowds considering that the previous 3 cities couldn't seem to care less.

And from what I can tell it's been that way for a fair portion of the season.

So, thanks.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Greer with the taunts on those goals. Hope we win the series haha

These 2 teams do not like each other!
It's not just Greer.

Gambardella tapping at his wrist while gliding past their bench after his goal.

Ok and Bahl letting guys know they exist after the whistles all night long.

Russo who rarely mixes it up, in a couple of tustles, losing his helmet to an Amerk post whistle cheap shot.

Laberge doesn't take any shit, but is always cool in his responses, lots of laughing and sneering as bait.

Vukojevic a couple near glove drops during the game and after the game they came off. He was down on the ice with his victim. Was willing to engage some more after he was pulled up by the linesmen.

Gambardella had a Comet on his back post game and then after getting up went after a couple of others.

Apparently the Comets wanted the game puck and one of the Amerks picked it up and refused to give it up.

The taunts go both ways. There is lots of yapping whenever the play stops, moving to their benches and in front of each other's benches.
The bench jockeying goes on all game long. You also get players yapping around the glass at each others bench. Face washing and sneak gloved face punches in after the whistle scrums. Lots of "Why I oughta".

Coets are not a tough physical team in general, but most won't back down when push comes to shove and several of the Comets are pretty big boys. However, experienced punch throwers they are not.

 

[My3Sons]

These 2 teams do not like each other!
It's not just Greer.

Gambardella tapping at his wrist while gliding past their bench after his goal.

Ok and Bahl letting guys know they exist after the whistles all night long.

Russo who rarely mixes it up, in a couple of tustles, losing his helmet to an Amerk post whistle cheap shot.

Laberge doesn't take any shit, but is always cool in his responses, lots of laughing and sneering as bait.

Vukojevic a couple near glove drops during the game and after the game they came off. He was down on the ice with his victim. Was willing to engage some more after he was pulled up by the linesmen.

Gambardella had a Comet on his back post game and then after getting up went after a couple of others.

Apparently the Comets wanted the game puck and one of the Amerks picked it up and refused to give it up.

The taunts go both ways. There is lots of yapping whenever the play stops, moving to their benches and in front of each other's benches.
The bench jockeying goes on all game long. You also get players yapping around the glass at each others bench. Face washing and sneak gloved face punches in after the whistle scrums. Lots of "Why I oughta".

Coets are not a tough physical team in general, but most won't back down when push comes to shove and several of the Comets are pretty big boys. However, experienced punch throwers they are not.

This is a good experience for the younger players to see what an ugly physical series is like. Hopefully nobody gets hurt and they can be better players for it.

 

[Guttersniped]

These 2 teams do not like each other!
It's not just Greer.

Gambardella tapping at his wrist while gliding past their bench after his goal.

Ok and Bahl letting guys know they exist after the whistles all night long.

Russo who rarely mixes it up, in a couple of tustles, losing his helmet to an Amerk post whistle cheap shot.

Laberge doesn't take any shit, but is always cool in his responses, lots of laughing and sneering as bait.

Vukojevic a couple near glove drops during the game and after the game they came off. He was down on the ice with his victim. Was willing to engage some more after he was pulled up by the linesmen.

Gambardella had a Comet on his back post game and then after getting up went after a couple of others.

Apparently the Comets wanted the game puck and one of the Amerks picked it up and refused to give it up.

The taunts go both ways. There is lots of yapping whenever the play stops, moving to their benches and in front of each other's benches.
The bench jockeying goes on all game long. You also get players yapping around the glass at each others bench. Face washing and sneak gloved face punches in after the whistle scrums. Lots of "Why I oughta".

Coets are not a tough physical team in general, but most won't back down when push comes to shove and several of the Comets are pretty big boys. However, experienced punch throwers they are not.

Zetterlund laughed in an Amerk player’s face (it was kind of awesome, he’s just fun) in the 3rd and they didn’t take it to well.

 

[My3Sons]

Zetterlund laughed in an Amerk player’s face (it was kind of awesome, he’s just fun) in the 3rd and they didn’t take it to well.

It sounds like NJ has an NHL player in him. That would be a great success story.