2022-23 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Bleedred]

Blackwood responded with a 3 goal 8 shot performance in the first with a massive 0 goal 6 save rebound in the second. See he just needs time to cook.

Sadly, I could actually see someone saying exactly this and being completely serious as a means to rationalize the 3 goals on 8 shots in the 1st period.

As if being able to stop 6 straight shots on goal is a trait of a good pro hockey goalie.

 

[My3Sons]

being able to stop 6 straight shots on goal is a trait of a good pro hockey goalie.

I realize last year was tough on all of us NJ fans but you really have to readjust your standards of competent goaltending.

 

[Tundra]

I think the anti-blackwood people are out for blood.

 

[Bleedred]

I think the anti-blackwood people are out for blood.

And I think the pro-Blackwood people are always out to grasp at straws and rationalize over everything

This game is meaningless

The last 62 games of .892% are really the bigger picture here

Tonight was just more of the same

This is who he is

His career AHL numbers are .896% in 88 games and tonight was his first AHL game in almost 4 years.

He was more than likely a bad goalie before his bad NHL play started.

What are the excuses for why he was so bad in the AHL before this? If you look at those numbers, and you look at his numbers from the last 62 NHL games he's played, they're very similar.

If he's an NHL goalie at all, he's a BAD one.

 

[NJDevs26]

I think the anti-blackwood people are out for blood.

What do you expect...Blackwood individually now is in the same place the Devils as a team were early in the season when fans had torches and pitchforks out at the first two home games. Fans are tired of the excuses and want to see results.

 

[Tundra]

What do you expect...Blackwood individually now is in the same place the Devils as a team were early in the season when fans had torches and pitchforks out at the first two home games. Fans are tired of the excuses and want to see results.

Can we at least wait until he gets to the big club?

 

[Bleedred]

What do you expect...Blackwood now is in the same place the Devils as a team were early in the season when fans had torches and pitchforks out at the first two home games. Fans are tired of the excuses and want to see results.

Mark my words

If things get really bad at a home game, I could totally a Vitek chant or a ''SCHHMMIDDDDDDDD'' chant.

The fans at games have been really quick to turn this year, from the ''Fire Lindy'' after one game, booing Ruff and Blackwood on opening night intros and who could forget about the restless crowd after falling down 2-0 in the 1st period in what would become our first win of the season?

And then there was the Bronx cheer when he made a save in the last home game he played.

Don't get me wrong, the fans did it to Cory and I think Kinkaid also in recent years. They even did it to Marty in 2005. So I don't think a Bronx cheer in his last game completely seals his fate just yet. So it's not like he can't come back from that, but it's getting very close to the point of no return.

At some point you just gotta say enough is enough and that is a lost cause trying to keep a player on life support with a franchise. Particularly one that plays this important of a position AND isn't even signed beyond this year on top of it.

 

[Bleedred]

Can we at least wait until he gets to the big club?

Why?

So we can hear the same excuses again?

''Ohhhhhh it's his first game back. He hasn't faced NHL shooters in 8 weeks. You gotta give him some time''

And with how much some people jump the fence, he'll be declared ''Back to normal'' after getting one shutout or even having one really good game after he gets back that follows up a couple of bad ones.

I don't forget all the crow I was forcefed when he had some good games in October. It gave me food poisoning and I think my stomach is still recovering from the rancid crow I was forcefed.

And look what he did after that. He does just enough to completely wash it out with a game like Washington. Or gives up a meaningless late game goal against just to keep his numbers in the toilet. Because this is who and what he is.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

It's crazy because we have seen Blackwood play really well at the NHL level. I'm certainly not happy with his play the last few seasons. You guys are being too critical over 1 AHL game tho. I really hope he can find his fame when he returns but atleast we have Schmid just in case. I can't see us moving Blackwood tho during the middle of the season unless things get really bad.

 

[Bleedred]

It's crazy because we have seen Blackwood play really well at the NHL level. I'm certainly not happy with his play the last few seasons. You guys are being too critical over 1 AHL game tho. I really hope he can find his fame when he returns but atleast we have Schmid just in case. I can't see us moving Blackwood tho during the middle of the season unless things get really bad.

Last 62 games in the NHL - .892%

This game is not some revelation that he might suck. His last 62 games have done the talking. Tonight is just more of the same.

Yes, we’ve seen him play really well at the NHL level. Almost three years ago.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

It's crazy because we have seen Blackwood play really well at the NHL level. I'm certainly not happy with his play the last few seasons. You guys are being too critical over 1 AHL game tho. I really hope he can find his fame when he returns but atleast we have Schmid just in case. I can't see us moving Blackwood tho during the middle of the season unless things get really bad.

We have not seen Blackwood play consistently well at the NHL level in like 4 years. How long are we going to just continue to hope that he will re-gain that form before we realize, hey maybe that was just a mirage?

 

[OmNomNom]

wedgewood had a great game against us but that doesn't make him an nhl goalie

blackwood HAS had great games, and there's no doubt he's athletic - the dude destroyed all the fitness tests at the combine. but he might not have that much when it comes to skill?

 

[My3Sons]

wedgewood had a great game against us but that doesn't make him an nhl goalie

blackwood HAS had great games, and there's no doubt he's athletic - the dude destroyed all the fitness tests at the combine. but he might not have that much when it comes to skill?

I think the issues are in his head. The skill is there. We've seen him make fantastic saves of all kinds. It's the consistency and avoidance of stinkers that has eluded him. To be fair, he's only had a small number of healthy games this season and at this point I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say the last two years are chalked up to injury and Covid. But, it's not like he was at .920 throwing out that first game this year when the team didn't show up in front of him. He can still create his own story but my guess is that he's just playing out the string at this point and wants to move on at the end of the season if not sooner.

 

[Bleedred]

Blackwood's last two years in the AHL (17-18 and 18-19) he was an .890% in 52 games.

His last 62 games in the NHL? .892%.

Now these were before alllllll the injuries and all the other bullshit. His last 52 games in the AHL (before last night and this doesn't include last night) he was an .890% goalie. And that was at least 2 years before his poor NHL play started.

So is it possible that Blackwood just isn't very good and this is just who he is? Maybe the 18-19 and 19-20 seasons were a mirage? Or at the very least a random occurrence of a bad goalie having a couple of good years?

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

I think the anti-blackwood people are out for blood.

Not exactly the pride of Devil-fandom.

 

[Guttersniped]

i saw the accusation a few days ago, didn't even realize he was in our org. it's prob 0 consequence since he's in the ECHL

pretty f***ing terrible and gross though

He was arguably the best signing for the ECHL team outside of Xavier Parent. Well I no longer low key enjoy that signing. Yikes.

 

[Guttersniped]

wedgewood had a great game against us but that doesn't make him an nhl goalie

blackwood HAS had great games, and there's no doubt he's athletic - the dude destroyed all the fitness tests at the combine. but he might not have that much when it comes to skill?

With the season he had last year and this year, Wedgewood is a NHL back-up goalie. He got good enough results for that title.

Isn’t there a goalie thread? How many times do we have to read about Blackwood’s numbers? We know.

Blackwood has been hurt and his career has derailed. It happened again this season but he’s still in our organization and it is the first game in AHL conditioning stint. That isn’t an excuse, that’s factual information.

I’m not optimistic about Blackwood at all but the first few games in an AHL conditioning stint typically don’t tell us much about how a goalie will do with a different team in the NHL.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Finally Tyce scores. Thompson , Clarke and Foote have all been somewhat disappointing this year. Still alot of season to go but I don't understand why Tyce was so hyped up by many on here thinking he was gonna challenge for a roster spot. Fitz is gonna need to draft some forwards this summer because that seems to be our weakest position in the pipeline.

 

[Devils731]

Finally Tyce scores. Thompson , Clarke and Foote have all been somewhat disappointing this year. Still alot of season to go but I don't understand why Tyce was so hyped up by many on here thinking he was gonna challenge for a roster spot. Fitz is gonna need to draft some forwards this summer because that seems to be our weakest position in the pipeline.

Birnell said Thompson would score before the game started (or early on) because his Dad was in the crowd.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Utica bounces back and wins 5 to 2. Foote has 2 goals , 1 was an empty netter. Thompson had a goal and assisted on Foote's empty netter goal.

Blackwood responds with a win while stopping 31 of 33 shots against.

 

[My3Sons]

Utica bounces back and wins 5 to 2. Foote has 2 goals , 1 was an empty netter. Thompson had a goal and assisted on Foote's empty netter goal.

Blackwood responds with a win while stopping 31 of 33 shots against.

Well @Bleedred has been telling us all along that Blackwood was a great goalie held back by injury and covid and that he’d bounce back and everyone else would have to eat raven

 

[nugg]

Finally Tyce scores. Thompson , Clarke and Foote have all been somewhat disappointing this year. Still alot of season to go but I don't understand why Tyce was so hyped up by many on here thinking he was gonna challenge for a roster spot. Fitz is gonna need to draft some forwards this summer because that seems to be our weakest position in the pipeline.

Yes, we do seem to have a dearth of forwards that look to really have any shot at making a real impact. Centers we have zippo. As for wing prospects, it does appear that Filmon has some promise. I know he's been disappointing, but Stillman has picked it up a little bit, and is almost PPG, which in reality is not that impressive at D+2, but he could still be a decent bottom sixer. I really don't know how much better these wingers in Utica would look had they not been hindered by feeble center play, but it certainly doesn't help. Being that Fitz strongly rectified the right handed d-man corps in the last draft, I'm sure he will pump up the forwards more this go round.

 

[Bad Goalie]

12/16/2022
Bridgeport Islanders (14-6-5-0) @ Utica Comets (8-9-3-1)

Forwards:
(15) Gambardella/ (26) Schmelzer/ (92) Clarke
(25) Foote/ (28) Pinho/ (12) Thompson
(79) Laberge/ (21) Stevens/ (37) Grasso
(55) Geertsen/ (77) Talvitie/ (24) Halonen

D-Pairs:
(23) Wotherspoon/ (7) Nemec
(82) Okhotyuk/ (5) Russo
(2) Vukojevic/ (22) Walsh

Goal - (29) Blackwood

Grasso was loaned to Utica by Adirondack Thunder on Thursday. He signed a PTO in order to play . He is currently tied as the top goal scorer in the ECHL with 14.

1st period

Comets drew a penalty at 1:16. Paul Thompson 2 for holding.
Comets lost the draw and it was cleared down.
Fromthere it was a comedy of errors as they couldn't get the puck across the Bridgeport blueline.
No SOG/No possession in the attacking zone.
PITIFUL!

Bridgeport gets the extra skater on during a delayed call against the Comets. They worked it around from their own end up the ice and then dropped it to a streaking Ruslan Iskhakov. He blew by Geetsen without breaking stride at the blueline. Moved into the zone and blew past Grasso who made a feeble attempt at a stick check. He met Walsh who was as inept at a poke check as Grasaso was. Riley got turned outside and Ruslan went inside and wired a shot from the circle that beat Blackwood clean.

Bridgeport 1 - 0 (11:21)

That's the way the period ended. The Comets got it going somewhat, outshooting the Isles 9-6. Schneider was lights out making some outstanding saves.

Period 2

At 17:76 the Comets got PP #2.
Lost the draw and it's cleared the length of the ice which is the normal start of their PPs.
This time they brought it right up the ice and right into the zone. Set up and moved it around and around the perimeter. The only movement is by the guy with the puck. They wonder why they don't get a lot of chances!
Shot by Nemec and the rebound is sent the length of the ice.
Back in and a shot is deflected out of play.
Actually got possession off a draw and shot on goal - big rebound - shot down the ice and that's it for PP #2.

A minute later Wotherspoon called for tripping.
Thompson and Fotte get a shorthanded 2 on 1 with Tyce carrying the puck. He shoots it frommthecircle and misses the net!!!!!!
Comets kill it and Blackwood a couple good saves.

Blackwood and Schneider keep trading big stops at opposite ends of the rink.Halonen off for Interference at 13:10.
Thompson and Foote again loose on a shorthanded 2 on 1. This time Thompson passes and Foote wires one form the right side dot and he MISSES THE F***ing NET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blackwood had the answers.

Paul Thompson called for checking to the head.
Comets to PP #3
6 seconds later Parker Wotherspoon (Tyler's brother) gets called for high sticking after hittiung Foote in the face.
Comets with a 5 on 3 for for 1:49.

TV TO
There's 4:57 left in the second.

A lot of perimeter movement but only the puck possessor moving.Finally someone actually moves causing a defender to have to adjust. Walsh drives down into the circle and Fotte moves into the slot. Walsh slips him the puck and from the low slot Foote fires the puck past Schneider !!!!!!!!!!

G--------O--------A---------L !!!! ++ !!!! ***** !!!

Finally.

It's tied up...................

1-1

Comets do nothing with the remaining 5 on 4.


Isles to the PP as Clarke gets called for high sticking 17:18.
Bridgeport pressing hard.
Blackwood keeps it tied with 3 big stops!

At 18:58, with the Isles still on the PP, Paul Thompson is called for Unsportsmanlike Conduct while on the bench, LOL!

AT 19:51 the Isles score a Shortie and go up 2-1.
Another last minutes of a period goal given up by the Comets on a familiar sight - the opponent getting the better chances on a Comets PP. 9 seconds left in the period.
ARE YOIU GUYS SERIOUS?

Dineen how many of these do you have to watch before you blow a gasket and lay down some kind of law about tightening up in the final minutes of every damned period? While you are at it you ,might address the goals surrendered at the beginning of periods. Your team comes out on the ice not ready to play. They finish up periods with the attitude that it's over and give up goals in both situations game after game. After a bit these goals are on you as well as the players and that time was many games ago.

Laberge is still involved and gets in a fight at after the horn with Seth Helgeson. Each get 5.

Period 3

(If eye drops were addicting, Blackwood would be a hard core junkie. At the start of the game and every time out. Drops in both eyes. Most guys use a towel. Blackwood it's a long draw on a bottle of blue Gatorade and eye drops.)

Joe Gambardella and Clarke buzzing and Joe is forever working his butt off getting the puck to Clarke and Stevens. This time he picks up the puck in the corner and comes out by himself rushing along the goalline to the net front and beats Schneider from near handshaking distance.

G__________O__________A___________L-------------------- JOE GAMBARDELLA>>> A pure workhorse goal!!

We're tied up again.

2-2

Blackwood and Schneider trading big stops once again for like 6 minutes.

Here comes Schmelzer up the ice all alone.

He's entering the Isles zone with a guys whacking and bumping him from behind and a D-man right in his face. He slips the puck between the D-man's feet and slides around him. The trail defender runs into his own guy and Schmelzer picks up the puck on the other side and moves in on Schneider absolutely all alone. Right in front he moves the puck right and then to the left and then back to the right and roofs it!!!!!!!!!!!!

S________C________O__________R___________E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a F**king highlight reel goal!!!!!!!!

Comets grab their first lead of the night at 9:04.


J---s f--king C----t Geertsen is an absolute brain dead individual. Your team just took their first lead midway throught the 3rd and you have to prove to the world just exactly how tough you are. 2 minutes for cross checking. Could have been boarding or roughing as he tried to put the guy through the boards!!!!!!!!!!
27 seconds after Schmelzer's incredible effort.
Unnecessary!!!!!!!!!!
Undisciplined!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is NJ demanding that this guy plays????????????????
He is 100% worthless as a hockey player, yet when not suspended he is is in the lineup. He does nothing to help this team offensively or defensively and takes dumb penalties every game.

Comets kill it with some real good effort from the killers. They did not give up a single shot. That's not something we havew seen much of. Shows waht you can do when you are willing to block shots and work your balls off.

8:22 to go

Pinho over the blue line and takes it towards the net from the left side. Looks like he is going to shoot when he slides it over to a wide open Thompson who THIS TIME finally puts his shot ON THE NET!

G-------------------------------O--------------------------A---------------------------L***++++****+++++ YES!


4-2 Comets at 16:09.

Schneider won't be out there much longer. There he goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3:11 to go and the net's empty.

Blackwood a big stop - Comets shoot it down and miss the net --- icing.
Blackwood a big stop - Comets shoot it down and miss the net --- icing.
Blackwood a big stop - Comets flip it out.
Laberge is stopped trying to get off a backhander from the Isles blue line with a guy all over him.

Thompson gets the puck to Foot5e who finds the 4 x 6 yawning net and this one is in the books at 18:12.

Blackwood makes 1 more save in the remaining 1:48.

Final Score:
Comets 5 Bridgeport 4

SOG:
Utica: 9 10 9 = 28
Isles : 6 16 11 = 33

PP:
Utica: 1/5
Isles : 0/4

Scoring;

Foote (7) from Walsh (11) and Stevens (6) PP
Gambardella (3) from Clarke (8) and Russo (7)
Schmelzer (1) NONE
Thompson (5) from Pinho (8) and Wotherspoon (4)
Foote (8) from Thompson (7) EN

3 STARS:
1) Ryan Schmelzer (Utica Comets) GWG
Schmelzer is a playmaker first. He leads the Comets centers in Assists. An unselfish player always trying to get the puck to another Comet. This one was well deserved after all the work he does.

2) Mackenzie Blackwood (Utica Comets) SA: 33/ SV: 31

3) Nolan Foote (Utica Comets) 2G

Would love to see this be the awakening of the top prospects and the one getting paid to be their #1 support.
The Foote/Pinho/Thompson line was very noticeable tonight. They made plays and got more opportunities tahn the the past 10 or more games. They still missed the net way more than they should have but when the night was over their names were on the score sheet. Foote with 2 goals, Thompson with a goal and an apple, Pinho an assist, Clarke an assist, and Gambardella continuing to come on game after game and finally getting some rewards from the guys he is lined up with. His line with Clarke and Schmelzer in the middle is becoming dangerous every night.

All the Comets need to remain competitive is the right attitude being exemplified by Gambardella, Laberge, and Schmelzer. If everyone puts forth the kind of effort these guys model game after game, they can compete. What that means in the standings I can't tell you. However, If the effort is there the fan base will have no complaints. Complacency and half-assed efforts will not suffice. Guys have to live up to their expectations each and every game if they expect a better future.

On a side note. Nemec struggled for the first time this season. His passing was off. He turned the puck over uncharacteristically for him on several occasions. He was knocked down few times which also hasn't been seen. His shots didn't get through and he forced them on the PP.
I am wondering if he may have a touch of one of the illnesses going around the country. They are all alive and spreading in this community as well.

Back in action again tomorrow at 7pm vs the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Is Blackwood's re-hab over or does he go back to back and 3 in 4 days? I can't see him being up for a bus trip to Cleveland next week where the Comets will play 2 games in 3 days with 2 long bus rides going and coming back. That for sure can't be in the plan he came here for.

 

[FooteBahl]

12/16/2022
Bridgeport Islanders (14-6-5-0) @ Utica Comets (8-9-3-1)

Forwards:
(15) Gambardella/ (26) Schmelzer/ (92) Clarke
(25) Foote/ (28) Pinho/ (12) Thompson
(79) Laberge/ (21) Stevens/ (37) Grasso
(55) Geertsen/ (77) Talvitie/ (24) Halonen

D-Pairs:
(23) Wotherspoon/ (7) Nemec
(82) Okhotyuk/ (5) Russo
(2) Vukojevic/ (22) Walsh

Goal - (29) Blackwood

Grasso was loaned to Utica by Adirondack Thunder on Thursday. He signed a PTO in order to play . He is currently tied as the top goal scorer in the ECHL with 14.

1st period

Comets drew a penalty at 1:16. Paul Thompson 2 for holding.
Comets lost the draw and it was cleared down.
Fromthere it was a comedy of errors as they couldn't get the puck across the Bridgeport blueline.
No SOG/No possession in the attacking zone.
PITIFUL!

Bridgeport gets the extra skater on during a delayed call against the Comets. They worked it around from their own end up the ice and then dropped it to a streaking Ruslan Iskhakov. He blew by Geetsen without breaking stride at the blueline. Moved into the zone and blew past Grasso who made a feeble attempt at a stick check. He met Walsh who was as inept at a poke check as Grasaso was. Riley got turned outside and Ruslan went inside and wired a shot from the circle that beat Blackwood clean.

Bridgeport 1 - 0 (11:21)

That's the way the period ended. The Comets got it going somewhat, outshooting the Isles 9-6. Schneider was lights out making some outstanding saves.

Period 2

At 17:76 the Comets got PP #2.
Lost the draw and it's cleared the length of the ice which is the normal start of their PPs.
This time they brought it right up the ice and right into the zone. Set up and moved it around and around the perimeter. The only movement is by the guy with the puck. They wonder why they don't get a lot of chances!
Shot by Nemec and the rebound is sent the length of the ice.
Back in and a shot is deflected out of play.
Actually got possession off a draw and shot on goal - big rebound - shot down the ice and that's it for PP #2.

A minute later Wotherspoon called for tripping.
Thompson and Fotte get a shorthanded 2 on 1 with Tyce carrying the puck. He shoots it frommthecircle and misses the net!!!!!!
Comets kill it and Blackwood a couple good saves.

Blackwood and Schneider keep trading big stops at opposite ends of the rink.Halonen off for Interference at 13:10.
Thompson and Foote again loose on a shorthanded 2 on 1. This time Thompson passes and Foote wires one form the right side dot and he MISSES THE F***ing NET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Blackwood had the answers.

Paul Thompson called for checking to the head.
Comets to PP #3
6 seconds later Parker Wotherspoon (Tyler's brother) gets called for high sticking after hittiung Foote in the face.
Comets with a 5 on 3 for for 1:49.

TV TO
There's 4:57 left in the second.

A lot of perimeter movement but only the puck possessor moving.Finally someone actually moves causing a defender to have to adjust. Walsh drives down into the circle and Fotte moves into the slot. Walsh slips him the puck and from the low slot Foote fires the puck past Schneider !!!!!!!!!!

G--------O--------A---------L !!!! ++ !!!! ***** !!!

Finally.

It's tied up...................

1-1

Comets do nothing with the remaining 5 on 4.


Isles to the PP as Clarke gets called for high sticking 17:18.
Bridgeport pressing hard.
Blackwood keeps it tied with 3 big stops!

At 18:58, with the Isles still on the PP, Paul Thompson is called for Unsportsmanlike Conduct while on the bench, LOL!

AT 19:51 the Isles score a Shortie and go up 2-1.
Another last minutes of a period goal given up by the Comets on a familiar sight - the opponent getting the better chances on a Comets PP. 9 seconds left in the period.
ARE YOIU GUYS SERIOUS?

Dineen how many of these do you have to watch before you blow a gasket and lay down some kind of law about tightening up in the final minutes of every damned period? While you are at it you ,might address the goals surrendered at the beginning of periods. Your team comes out on the ice not ready to play. They finish up periods with the attitude that it's over and give up goals in both situations game after game. After a bit these goals are on you as well as the players and that time was many games ago.

Laberge is still involved and gets in a fight at after the horn with Seth Helgeson. Each get 5.

Period 3

(If eye drops were addicting, Blackwood would be a hard core junkie. At the start of the game and every time out. Drops in both eyes. Most guys use a towel. Blackwood it's a long draw on a bottle of blue Gatorade and eye drops.)

Joe Gambardella and Clarke buzzing and Joe is forever working his butt off getting the puck to Clarke and Stevens. This time he picks up the puck in the corner and comes out by himself rushing along the goalline to the net front and beats Schneider from near handshaking distance.

G__________O__________A___________L-------------------- JOE GAMBARDELLA>>> A pure workhorse goal!!

We're tied up again.

2-2

Blackwood and Schneider trading big stops once again for like 6 minutes.

Here comes Schmelzer up the ice all alone.

He's entering the Isles zone with a guys whacking and bumping him from behind and a D-man right in his face. He slips the puck between the D-man's feet and slides around him. The trail defender runs into his own guy and Schmelzer picks up the puck on the other side and moves in on Schneider absolutely all alone. Right in front he moves the puck right and then to the left and then back to the right and roofs it!!!!!!!!!!!!

S________C________O__________R___________E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What a F**king highlight reel goal!!!!!!!!

Comets grab their first lead of the night at 9:04.


J---s f--king C----t Geertsen is an absolute brain dead individual. Your team just took their first lead midway throught the 3rd and you have to prove to the world just exactly how tough you are. 2 minutes for cross checking. Could have been boarding or roughing as he tried to put the guy through the boards!!!!!!!!!!
27 seconds after Schmelzer's incredible effort.
Unnecessary!!!!!!!!!!
Undisciplined!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Is NJ demanding that this guy plays????????????????
He is 100% worthless as a hockey player, yet when not suspended he is is in the lineup. He does nothing to help this team offensively or defensively and takes dumb penalties every game.

Comets kill it with some real good effort from the killers. They did not give up a single shot. That's not something we havew seen much of. Shows waht you can do when you are willing to block shots and work your balls off.

8:22 to go

Pinho over the blue line and takes it towards the net from the left side. Looks like he is going to shoot when he slides it over to a wide open Thompson who THIS TIME finally puts his shot ON THE NET!

G-------------------------------O--------------------------A---------------------------L***++++****+++++ YES!


4-2 Comets at 16:09.

Schneider won't be out there much longer. There he goes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

3:11 to go and the net's empty.

Blackwood a big stop - Comets shoot it down and miss the net --- icing.
Blackwood a big stop - Comets shoot it down and miss the net --- icing.
Blackwood a big stop - Comets flip it out.
Laberge is stopped trying to get off a backhander from the Isles blue line with a guy all over him.

Thompson gets the puck to Foot5e who finds the 4 x 6 yawning net and this one is in the books at 18:12.

Blackwood makes 1 more save in the remaining 1:48.

Final Score:
Comets 5 Bridgeport 4

SOG:
Utica: 9 10 9 = 28
Isles : 6 16 11 = 33

PP:
Utica: 1/5
Isles : 0/4

Scoring;

Foote (7) from Walsh (11) and Stevens (6) PP
Gambardella (3) from Clarke (8) and Russo (7)
Schmelzer (1) NONE
Thompson (5) from Pinho (8) and Wotherspoon (4)
Foote (8) from Thompson (7) EN

3 STARS:
1) Ryan Schmelzer (Utica Comets) GWG
Schmelzer is a playmaker first. He leads the Comets centers in Assists. An unselfish player always trying to get the puck to another Comet. This one was well deserved after all the work he does.

2) Mackenzie Blackwood (Utica Comets) SA: 33/ SV: 31

3) Nolan Foote (Utica Comets) 2G

Would love to see this be the awakening of the top prospects and the one getting paid to be their #1 support.
The Foote/Pinho/Thompson line was very noticeable tonight. They made plays and got more opportunities tahn the the past 10 or more games. They still missed the net way more than they should have but when the night was over their names were on the score sheet. Foote with 2 goals, Thompson with a goal and an apple, Pinho an assist, Clarke an assist, and Gambardella continuing to come on game after game and finally getting some rewards from the guys he is lined up with. His line with Clarke and Schmelzer in the middle is becoming dangerous every night.

All the Comets need to remain competitive is the right attitude being exemplified by Gambardella, Laberge, and Schmelzer. If everyone puts forth the kind of effort these guys model game after game, they can compete. What that means in the standings I can't tell you. However, If the effort is there the fan base will have no complaints. Complacency and half-assed efforts will not suffice. Guys have to live up to their expectations each and every game if they expect a better future.

On a side note. Nemec struggled for the first time this season. His passing was off. He turned the puck over uncharacteristically for him on several occasions. He was knocked down few times which also hasn't been seen. His shots didn't get through and he forced them on the PP.
I am wondering if he may have a touch of one of the illnesses going around the country. They are all alive and spreading in this community as well.

Back in action again tomorrow at 7pm vs the Springfield Thunderbirds.
Is Blackwood's re-hab over or does he go back to back and 3 in 4 days? I can't see him being up for a bus trip to Cleveland next week where the Comets will play 2 games in 3 days with 2 long bus rides going and coming back. That for sure can't be in the plan he came here for.

Thank you! Based on your opinion, who do you think is the next up for a call to the big show out of the forwards?

 

[Lou is God]

Finally Tyce scores. Thompson , Clarke and Foote have all been somewhat disappointing this year. Still alot of season to go but I don't understand why Tyce was so hyped up by many on here thinking he was gonna challenge for a roster spot. Fitz is gonna need to draft some forwards this summer because that seems to be our weakest position in the pipeline.

I "hyped" him up and I'll do it again, no idea why it triggered you that some did but he's still a good prospect and wouldn't write him off.