2022-23 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Jersey Fan 12]

Is Harrington headed to Utica or NJ.

Looking at the Meier deal it looks like the other three players are more likely headed to Adirondack than the Comets.

Though I imagine the deal keeps Holtz with the Comets for the rest of the year.

Imagine the Comets will be adding NCAA free agents too.

Parker Ford maybe?

 

[Guttersniped]

Hatakka is 22. He played in Liiga in 2019-20 as a teenager. He played for the Finnish U20 team twice. He’s played 49 AHL games and 9 NHL games. He made the San Jose top prospects lists this year.

He’s been injured much of the season. He’s seen as high floor, low ceiling guy, who probably won’t be much of an NHLer but he’ll do more than fine in the AHL. He’s not a ECHLer.

Wheeler’s San Jose Prospect Pool Ranking (#17) from January:

Elite Prospects’ San Jose Prospect Pool Rankings from Sept:

Dobber Prospects:

 

[UticaHockey]

Is Harrington headed to Utica or NJ.

Looking at the Meier deal it looks like the other three players are more likely headed to Adirondack than the Comets.

Though I imagine the deal keeps Holtz with the Comets for the rest of the year.

Imagine the Comets will be adding NCAA free agents too.

Parker Ford maybe?

Harrington was placed on waivers today so it looks like he is coming to Utica.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Hatakka is 22. He played in Liiga in 2019-20 as a teenager. He played for the Finnish U20 team twice. He’s played 49 AHL games and 9 NHL games. He made the San Jose top prospects lists this year.

He’s been injured much of the season. He’s seen as high floor, low ceiling guy, who probably won’t be much of an NHLer but he’ll do more than fine in the AHL. He’s not a ECHLer.

Wheeler’s San Jose Prospect Pool Ranking (#17) from January:

View attachment 658258

Elite Prospects’ San Jose Prospect Pool Rankings from Sept:

View attachment 658260
View attachment 658261

Dobber Prospects:
View attachment 658262

Someone to keep Topias Vilen company when he arrives?

 

[Bad Goalie]

Just looked at Cap Friendly and they list Zacharie Edmond as the 2nd Comets goalie. 4 ECHL GP this season!
Isaac Poulter has played 4 games for the Comets this season and has been with the club as backup since Akira was recalled. I'd sure as Hell feel a lot safer with him in the net than giving Edmond a tryout when the Comets are fighting in tight divisional playoff race with only 20 games remaining.

They list Santeri Hatakka among the Comets D-men. He's played 8 games this season.

Finally, Timur Ibragimov is listed among the forwards.He has played 52 games for the ECHL Wichita Thunder. Jarrod Gourley has played 38 games with the ECHL Adirondack Thunder and 4 for the Comets because the Comets have had a recent injury problem. Timur may be a bit better than him, but cerftainly not a top 6 game day regular AHL D-man and with a full roster would have been in Adirondack had he started the season in the Devils organization.

 

[Nubmer6]

 

[Bad Goalie]

Harrington was placed on waivers today so it looks like he is coming to Utica.

I thought it was wishful thinking. Harrington claimed off waivers by Anaheim. As far as I remember now the 2 good players the Devils have waved to send to Utica were both claimed.

So much for stashing an NHL experienced D-man in Utica in case of injury. Back to prospects or the not likely to play AHL vet Wotherspoon.

This team is not meant to have any more nice things. Sink or swim with what they have and the little talent Adirondack can provide. Not the prettiest of pictures and the loss of Clarke just makes it worse.

 

[Devils731]

I can imagine how rough this season must be on his mental state. Hopefully he can play again soon and that it feels good.

 

[Forge]

Foote playing center tonight....has he been doing that regularly this year? I haven't seen that.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Foote playing center tonight....has he been doing that regularly this year? I haven't seen that.

No just once in a while.

Last few games (5) with Pinho and Stevens out, he has been playing center.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Clarkie comes back. Should definitely be of some help. Comets have 19 to go and the Schedule is loaded with teams in competition with them for playoff spots.

They have:

- 6 games with Syracuse of which 2 are on the last weekend and it ends in Syracuse.
- 4 games with Rochester.
- 2 games back to back with Laval in Laval
- 1 game with Division leader Toronto

That's 13 of the 19 remaining games.

Fitz said he was going to try to do something to help the Comets. He hasn't got much time. AHL.com today covered 3 trades in which AHL players were swapped. Would depend which end of the trades one was on to detrmine the teams getting the better end of the deals.

 

[Nubmer6]

Clarkie comes back. Should definitely be of some help. Comets have 19 to go and the Schedule is loaded with teams in competition with them for playoff spots.

They have:

- 6 games with Syracuse of which 2 are on the last weekend and it ends in Syracuse.
- 4 games with Rochester.
- 2 games back to back with Laval in Laval
- 1 game with Division leader Toronto

That's 13 of the 19 remaining games.

Fitz said he was going to try to do something to help the Comets. He hasn't got much time. AHL.com today covered 3 trades in which AHL players were swapped. Would depend which end of the trades one was on to detrmine the teams getting the better end of the deals.

Umm...

 

[Bad Goalie]

Umm...

Thanx. When I saw that CapFriendly item, it was definitely good news. It inspired my post above yours. LOL

 

[Emperoreddy]

Thanx. When I saw that CapFriendly item, it was definitely good news. It inspired my post above yours. LOL

Looks like he was officially sent back today.

 

[Bad Goalie]

NJ has papered Graeme Clarke, Akira Schmid, Kevin Bahl. They will be available to the Comets for the Playoffs should NJ deem it okay.

 

[Emperoreddy]

NJ has papered Graeme Clarke, Akira Schmid, Kevin Bahl. They will be available to the Comets for the Playoffs should NJ deem it okay.

Clarke was completely sent back to make room for Lazer

 

[Bad Goalie]

Adam Dekker (G) has been signed to a PTO today (3/3/23). Wondering what this means concerning Daws and Poulter. Poulter has been backing up since his recall on 2/21/23 and has not been sent back. He is an Assitant Coach for the Utica University Hockey Team. Utica U will be playing Nazareth College for the UCHC championship tomorrow at 7 PM. Have to assume this is a backup role for tonight only.

Comets will be in Syracuse Sunday for a 3 PM start.

Clarke was completely sent back to make room for Lazer

Correct. Knew that, but thanx anyways. He was also both recalled and sent back today. The Paper process was completed in case he were to be recalled after this date. This would make him available to the Comets off the NJ roster.

 

[Bad Goalie]

3/3/2023

Charlotte Checkers vs Utica Comets

Schmid in NJ and Daws ill. The Comets will start ECHL keeper Isaac Poulter. He has been backing up Daws since Akira was called up 2/21.

Poulter's backup will be Adam Dekker, Asst hockey coach for the Utica University hockey team.

Clarke will not be back in the lineup. So much for having been sent back down.

Forwards:
Laberge (79) / Schmelzer (26) / Dugan (10)
Gambardella (15)/Talvitie (77) / Parnet (67)
Ibragimov (90) /Engaras (16) / Geertsen (55)
Halonen (24) / Foote (25) / Thompson (12)

D-pairs:
Wotherspoon (23) / Nemec (7)
Gourley (60)/ Russo (5)
Gorleau (75) / Walsh (22)

Goal - Poulter (32)

Scratches:
Dekker (BU)
Holtz
Pinho
Stevens
Hutchison
Vukojevic
Blujus

I believe the only healthy scratch is Blujus.

Holtz played the first game after he was sent down 2/17 and was hurt in the 2nd game on 2/20.

Stevens was hurt on 2/1.
Pinho was injured on 2/10, looked like a concussion.
Hutchison was hurt 2/22, looked like a concussion.
All 3 are centers on a center deficient team.

Vukojevic was hurt on 2/18.

Daws is ill.

Comets are definitely shorthanded.

Clarke is not with the team tonight.

 

[Bad Goalie]

1st is underway

2 Checker shots both deflected out of play.

shot - Poulter stop.

shot - Poulter stop.

shot - save Poulter.

Checkers called for tripping. The #22 PP team will take the ice.
Checkers PK at 83%.
Russo wide
Halonen into the side of the net.
Nemec fires across the net front and the tip is missed.
Foote shot blocked.

Checker breakaway and he shoots it wide.Berube comes ot and he's in trouble. Slides back into the crease as the puck slides up to the post and he's on top of it.

TV TO
13:54 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Poulter a stop off a rebound from a shot blocked in front of the crease.

Berube ot of his net turned it over and Halonen can't get it away into the empty net!

Poulter another save on a shot from the right dot.

Parent shot deflected out of play.

SOG at the moment 7-1 Charlotte

Geertsen shot form the left boards far out near the blueline. Easy grab by Berube.

Halonen's lack of IQ is obvious in his pass attempts.

Save by berube on a puck sliding into the crease.

Off the draw Dugan gets a cross ice pass and he fires it home from the left side bottom of the circle.


G________________O_____________________A___________________________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1-0 Comets. About half way through the 1st.

Ibragimov gets in alone and Berube makes a big stop. Puck back out front and Berube another stop.

Laberge a big hit at the O-Blueline and the puck is loose and Foote shoots it back in offsides. Not a smart move by Foote.

TV TO
7:35 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Foote's passes are usually too late as he waits until he has nowhere to go with it and then tries to force a pass. Give it up to get it back. A plan the Comets don't seem to ever have been taught.

Poulter a stop and holds on.

Gambardella putting on a show on how to hold onto the puck, but nobody gets open for him.

Poulter a good stop in close and then stops the rebound off his shoulder.

Gourley having problems tonight.
has fallen on his own backing up in his zone to set himself to receive a pass. Mis-fired a pass - turnover.
Turnover failing to take a pass at the O-blueline


TV TO
3:02 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Checkers pressing and Comets can't get it out. Finally just dump it down the ice.

Comets fumbling around in their Waterloo - the end of periods.

Comets ice it with :03 to go.

Comets tie up the faceoff and the period ends.

SOG: 10-8 Charlotte

Comets 1-0 after the 1st.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Let's Go - 2nd period

Foote stopped on a 1-timer from inside the bottom of the right circle. Berube big on that one.

Poulter a kick save off a long point wrister.

Icing Charlotte.

Backhander by Groleau rolls into Berube. Holds on.

Thompson 1 on 1 cannot beat anyone. Loses it along the right side boards.

Play has been extremely ragged for the 1st 5 minutes.

Poulter stops Nash right in the crease.

Utica gets their 2nd PP.
2 minutes for slashing

Walsh and Nemec both on the PP.

Comets PP was worthless.

Long wrister from the point gloved by Poulter. Whistle.

TV TO
11:52 to go.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Another puck rolls into Berube and he'll hold.

Russo a shot from the dot and it deflects just wide.

(Thompson also a poor passer)

Foote a blocked shot off the draw.

TV TO
9:34 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Checker misses the net from the bottom of the circle.

Schmelzer and Geetesen 2 on 1 and the pass is deflected.

Nemec wound his way through 3 Checkers coming int the O-zone then got bumped off the puck by the 4th guy.

Poulter a huge stop and the puck carrier slammed into the post knocking the net off.

Poulter another stop from the slot.

Checkers really picking it up.

Comets too many men on the ice. The dumbest penalty to take in hockey.

TV TO
5:17 to go.

Charlotte 's PP is very good.
Comets PK not so much. Foote no stick.

Charlotte all over the Comets.

Slapper from the high slot hits a mate in the head. He leaves the ice with a towel to his face. The Comets saved by the injury as Foote was be exploited.

Pouter astop and comets get it out.

Thompson get in shorthaned ans just as he is about to try to slide it past Berube he is tackled from behind.
Penalty to the Checkers.

4 on 4 for about a half minute.

Comets to the abbreviated PP. Dugan a great chance and the shot is blocked.

Gambardella hits a post.

Another shot off the side of the net.

Good chances after the PP runs out, but same result - 0.

Last minute again.

Comets in a close battle in the Charlotte end and no matter how many times a Comet got the puck (and it was quite a few) he couldn't handle it and another battle ensued and the shots never came. These were not board battles. Battles in different parts of open ice in the attacking zone.

That's it for the 2nd

SOG 9-9
2-period total
19-17 Charlotte

Still 1-0 Comets.