2022-23 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Bad Goalie]

I have been advocating the acquisition of centers since day 1

The Comets just received 23-yr-old LD Zack Hayes. The assumption is he is supposed to step in for the loss of OK and Mukh. He's a 3rd year pro with 117 AHL GP and a .18 PPG. He has played a total of 24 games this season between AHL Henderson and Chicago, 14 games in each city. He has racked up 4Pts on the season.

Dylan Blujus was dealt to the AHL Belleville Senators for future considerations. It was obviouis that Dylan Blujus as a depth D-man wasn't the guy to step in for OK or Mukh. So he is not a great loss, but I am not quite sure a guy who appears to have been a depth D-man for both Henderson and Chicago this season and is now joining his 3rd team is all that much better.

The price for Hayes was Jack Dugan. I haven't been a big fan of Dugan, but lately he has been putting up points and is currently tied for 4th in scoring on a point starved team with 11G/16A/27 PTs, 28 ,30, and 44 are the point totals of those ahead of him. He has recorded 10 pts in his last 10 games including 4 goals.

Hayes for Dugan would appear to be a downgrade, but we'll have to see.

The Comets also picked up RW Jayce Hawrylk from the Ottawa Senators for future considerations. H-m-m-m-m, neither this guy nor Blujus were worth trading for each other since that's the appearance. They were both separate deals for futures. How good can these guys actually be?

Hawrylk is a 27-Yr-old RW/C. He has played 39 SHL games (.49 PPG), 167 AHL games (.62 PPG), and 98 NHL games (.28 PPG). Something has been going in on in Belleville. Belleville has been in and out of last place in the North Divison all season. The Comets play in the same division. He has played in a total of 19 of the Sen's 57 games.

Jack Dugan and Jayce Hawrylk are both RWs. If this guy is supposed to pick up for Jack, I'm not confident he is healthy enough to do such. That is if injury is the reason for his low GP total. If his low # of games played are due to healthy scratches, that is even worse.

RW:
Holtz
Clarke
Thompson
Hawrylk

Center:
Schmelzer
Foote
Talvitie
Engaras

LW:
Gambardella
Halonen
Laberge
Ibragimov

Wotherspoon/Nemec
Groleau/Walsh
Geertsen/Russo

Hayes could be put in at LD with Russo and Geertsen could go back to LW.

Halonen can play RW and Hawrylk could be put in the middle.

Maybe these 6 D-men comprise an equal game day 6 to what it was before Hayes.

IMO at this point I think the lineup with Dugan on the RW, Halonen on LW, and Geerstsen on D was a stronger lineup.

Making trades just to make them makes no sense. You trade to upgrade your team not remain status quo or worse.

These newbies have a short schedule to prove me wrong. Dugan seemed to be a part of the family and a good fit in the locker room and replacing him with a less talented player, if that's what this turns out to be, won't bode well with the players. Personally, I would be scouring the NCAA where there are some good UFA possibilities available. I would jump early because the good ones have been scouted all season and they will be scooped up quickly.

Jason Polin (23) RW
Jake Livingstone (23) RD
Sam Malinski (24) RD
Hunter McKown (20) C
Parker Ford (21) C
Justin Hryckowian (22) C
Austen Swankler (21) C

These are just a handful. Halonen was such a pickup for us last season and he is finally starting to pay off (14G/11A/25PTs) and is signed for next season as well.

 

[Triumph]

Huh…

Losing Dugan doesn’t make this feel great.

They got Hayes for Future Considerations. (Granted Dugan was free but still.)

I caught the Hawryluk move on Twitter and thought Utica would be adding, but they're just treading water. Shame.

 

[My3Sons]

It doesn't mean much for centers, but presumably Utica adds Stillman for any playoffs a with Clarke and Holtz and Thompson that's already a crowded right side. Maybe they foresee the new guy as having more chance to play some center? Also, if Vilen arrives for the playoffs there is your left handed defender to add. I am skeptical Luke Hughes plays in any AHL playoffs but if he's going to be sitting in NJ they should get him in Utica games to help acclimate to the pros. Maybe NJ signs McCarthy and/or Moynihan and/or Pasic since their rights are all expiring. No centers there but at least another right handed defender.

 

[Zippy316]

RW:
Holtz
Clarke
Thompson
Hawrylk

Center:
Schmelzer
Foote
Talvitie
Engaras

LW:
Gambardella
Halonen
Laberge
Ibragimov

Wotherspoon/Nemec
Groleau/Walsh
Geertsen/Russo

I wonder if the Devils are looking at Hawlyruk as a center. If I recall correctly, he played there in juniors and they could desperately use any centers they can find. The Dugan for Halwyruk deal might make some sense if they plan to use him there. Holtz/ Clarke/Thompson makes for a crowded RW group and Stillman/Moynihan round out the 4RW when they join Utica.

It is likely Vilen will join the team when his Finnish season ends, so add another LD option there, I would hope he looks good enough to play over Geertsen. Case McCarthy likely will get signed although I doubt he plays over any of the current RD.

Would give Utica a depth chart of something like:

Gambardella - Schmelzer - Holtz
Halonen - Foote - Clarke
Laberge - Hawlyruk - Thompson
Geertsen - Talvitie - Stillman
Ibrahimovic - Engaras - Moynihan

Wotherspoon - Nemec
Groleau - Walsh
Vilen - Russo
Hayes - McCarthy

You left out Pinho so not sure if he’s an option. One more decent center pushing Foote back to LW would give the Utica a respectable looking roster.

Devils definitely should be scouting the collegiate and OHL market for some centers. It seems Utica has suffered from the Devils having such a young center core. I would imagine the last couple years it also discouraged some centers from signing here with a limited path to the NHL. The hope on the flip side of that is you might have some players who hope to carve out an energy line role (like Halonen) see the Devils as an attractive option now.

 

[Bad Goalie]

3/10.23
Belleville Senators at Utica Comets

Forwards:
(24) Halonen/ (26) Schmelzer/ (9) Holtz
(12) Thompson/ (77) Talvitie/ (28) Pinho
(90) Ibragimov/ (16) Ingaras (79) Laberge
(15) Gambardella/ (25) Foote/ (92) Clarke

D-Pairs:
(60) Gourley/ (22) Walsh
(23) Wotherspoon (7) Nemec
(55) Geertsen/ (5) Russo

Goal - (1) Poulter

Scratches:
Theut (BU)
Stevens (I)
Hutchison (I)
Daws (ill)
Vukojevic (I)

Hawryluk (?)
Hayes (?)

 

[Bad Goalie]

Pinho back in the lineup.

Hawrlyk is here as he came to Utica from Belleville playing here tonight. He may not e here. We may not see him until next week unless he meets the team on the road.
Hayes is coming from Chicago and it would be understandable if he hasn't arrived yet either.

Neither will have practiced so they may be held out until next week. Comets are winning of late so DiNeen should let the good things continue as long as they can

1st is underway.

Sens almost score early, but Poulter comes up big.

Comets get a 4-min PP. Matthew Boucher 4 for high sticking.

Immediately the Sens have a SH 3 on 1 - CROSSBAR

3 on 1 the other way and Clarke is stopped by Richardson.

Holtz a big 1-timer. Blocked by Max Guenette and he gets another shot and Max blocked it again.

Halonen to the box. 2 for hooking.

Comets lose the draw and Lassi Thompson takes a pass on top and walks right down the middle/right side uncontested and wires it home.


4 on 4 goal
9:29

1-0 Sens.

Sens now to a short PP.

Back to 5 on 5.

Halonen 1 on 1 shot kicked out by Richardson.

Foote hits a post and it's out of play.

TV TO
6:48 to go.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Sens score on a wrister from the top of the left circle.
Poulter not looking too hot at the moment.

Goal at 14:34
2-0 Sens
Comets lead the SOG 8-6. Sens 2 goals on 6 shots.

TV TO
5:11 to go.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Holtz took a stick or something along the offensive end boards and he's down holding his face.

Holtz making his way to the bench. Now the Sens are called in the Comets end.

Comets win the draw back to Russo and he wrists it from the top of the left circle and ..................................................?

S-----------------C-------------------O--------------R--------------------------E---------------S
4 seconds into the PP!

Russo PP goal. Yes, really a PP goal. Comets PP is ranked #29 in the league.
15:28
2-1 Sens

Holtz across the blueline and shoots, stopped.
Goes back and gets it in the Comets zone. Takes a pass crossing the O-blueline and he's stopped again.

Gourley to the box for NOTHING! Closeup replay shows absolutely nothing he could be called for. The call is cross checking and nothing resembling such took place.

Poulter a big stop. Poulter another.

Comets fail to clear.
Now they get it out.
Cleared again.

Belleville called for too many men.

4 on 4 for :45 seconds

Wrister stopped by Poulter.

Holtz with a breakaway. Hooked from behind by ex-Comet Cole Cassels. Cassels is livid!

PENALTY SHOT!

Alex moving slowly goes wide left, curls back to the middle, a couple side to side stick moves, and rifles it home to the right side. Over tRichardson's glove hand. (Keeper's left)

G_________________________O__________________________A________________________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex Holtz goal on a penalty shot.
19:33

Period ends

2-2

SOG
12- 10 Comets

 

[Better Call Sal]

This makes me happy.

 

[Bad Goalie]

2nd is under way

50 seconds of PP left for the Comets.

Holtz is so much better than any other Comet.

PP is over.
2 good chances by the Comets but the keeper is better.

Sens bring it in close 3 on 1. Sokolov is on the left side and he just walks right towards the net and scores between the legs of Poulter. 5-hole goal from the dot.

3-2 Sens

Senators 3 goals on 11 shots. Poulter is not good tonight. He's made some good saves but the goals have not been good ones.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Foote comes in from the middle of the blue line and shoots. Nemec is right in front driving the net, but the shot is out of his reach.

Nemec is more than joining the rush. As forwards carry the puck in the O-zone Nemec is the guy going to the net with them. I've seen it 3 times this period in the 1st 7 minutes.

Shot is wide and then centered from the end boards by NEMEC! The pass was accepted but the shot on the fly by was stopped. Beautiful save in desperation with Richardson sliding sideways on his knees and the puck hits the front of his pad just before it would have crossed the line.

Holtz hits a leg in front on a 1-timer. Good pass by Halonen.

Ibragimov good work and his shot from the slot through traffic didn't get to the net.

Another shot and a sprawling save by Richardson.

TV TO
8:28 to go

Comets really applying pressure in the O-zone, but can't beat the keeper.
Comets to the PP. Reinhardt 2 for slashing.

5 on 5 the Comets have been all over them, but 5 on 4 they can't set up the PP.
PP, as per the norm, was not good.

Comets keep getting chances, but continually missing the net wide and over the top.

TV TO
5:08 to go

Belleville has had 1 shot in the period and it was a goal.
Comets have had 6 shots, mainly because they can't hit the net!

Poulter stops the 2nd shot he's seen this period and holds on for the faceoff.

2nd comes to an end.

3-2 Sens

SOG:
6-2 Utica. Are you kidding?
2-period total 18-12 Utica.

 

[Bad Goalie]

3rd period gets under way.

Icing Sens

Foote drives the net, centers, and Gambardella under pressure tips it and Richardson stops it with his right pad in a semi-split and sprawls head first to cover it.

Faceoff won by the Comets back to Wotherspoon, sends it across the top to Clarke who hits Nemec. Simone moving down the right side wrists it from the outside edge of right circle and.............................................................

S___________________C_______________O_____________________R________________E_____________S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's 3-3
1:04

Icing Belleville 17:06
Icing Belleville16:59

Poulter holds a puck that rolls into him.

Gourley shoots - stopped.

Offsides Sens.

Offsides Comets. Thompson too many moves at the blueline.

Talvitie backhander off the edge of the crease and Thompson can't get the rebound.

Holtz overhandles it and turns it over in the Sens end.

Holtz fires a headhunter and the keeper made the save, maybe off the mask. He's getting it adjusted.

TV TO
13:03 to go

Poulter a stick save.

Talvitie tripped by Heard and Talvite gets an embellishment call. Both go. 4 on 4.

Shot and Richardson holds on.

Poulter a save.

Clarke stopped.

Belleville's Aspirot gets 2 for tripping at 9:50.

4 on 3 PP for 35 seconds.

Dineen drew up a play without calling a time out.

Comets win the draw. Holtz 1-timer stopped.

Foote hits the post. Out of play. The net was open but the damn post.

Back to 5 on 4. Belleville gets a SH breakout and Holtz is back as a D-man. 2nd time since he's been here this time that he has turned into a D-man and broke up the play. Nah, Lindy can't trust this kid to play defensively. That F**cking swarm D they play causes every player on the ice for the Devils to screw up defensivel, but Holtz is the guy he says needs work on his defensive play. That system has sucked big time in Utica since the Devils franchise came here last season.

PP is over.

Pouter a save on a breakaway. His best stop of the night.

Laberge a BULLET wrister just over the crossbar.
I wish this kid would shoot more often. His shot is heavy and fast. He beats the Comets' keepers in warmup and practice with regularity, but come game time he is always looking to pass. It's almost as if he's been told, "You aren't the shooter. Pass it to the guys that are.

Wrister from the point held for a whistle by Poulter.

TV TO
6:00 to go

D-zone faceoff

Comets won the draw but Sens got the puck and Poulter holds on. Sens are coming on.

Halonen a shot off the right side rush, but misses the net farside.

Geertsen coolests and launches a bomb wide right.

Icing Comets - 3:18 left

Now all of a sudden every Comets pass is off target to open guys.

Poulter a stop on a backhand by a sen allowed to walk off the boards to the crease.

TV TO
2:16 to go

Comets appear to be taking their foot off the gas to get the 1st point and the Sens are buzzing because of it. Comets are not passing the puck they are just swatting it. The Devil's D-scheme is definitely not made for holding a lead. It let's a team desperate for a goal run all over your end and take shots from all the danger zones. It leaves the points uncontested to field all of the missed net shots, take passes for bombs from the top of the circle, and to corral all the weak attempts by the Comets to clear the puck out of net front trouble and start the offensive push all over again.

1 minute to go and Poulter makes a save off a shot close in, but he drops it and the rebound slides wide. It's all Sens. Comets trying to hold on in a game they have dominated for the past 2 periods until the last 2 minutes. Halonen a shot with 4 seconds to go and Richardson holds on.

We've got OT

 

[Bad Goalie]

Walsh/Clarke/Foote

Comets get the puck. Clarke carries it in and turns it over.

Sens into the Comets end and Poulter comes up big.

Comets regain possession and move in. Nothing there. Walsh gathers it in on top and brings it back out all the way to his own blueline allowing the Comets to change up.

Walsh gives it to Holtz almost back at his blueline and he breaks in with Schmelzer on his left.

Holtz jukes the defender slides right and...............................................................................

S_____________________C______________________O_______________R__________E__________S!

Beats Richardson from the right dot.

COMETS WIN! ---------------------COMETS WIN! ------------ HOLTZ WINS!

Comets 4- Sens 3 in OT

 

[Bad Goalie]

3/10/23
Belleville Senators @ Utica Comets

Final Score -
Utica 4 Belleville 3 OT

SOG:
Senators - 10 2 8 0 = 20
Comets - 12 6 11 1 = 30

PP:
Senators - O/2
Comets - 1/6
If the Comets don't get the specila teams fixed., it will be very difficult to win in the playoffs. The # 29 PP coupled with the #27 PK will kill them. Dineen and Company have done nothing to address the weak special teams all season.

Scoring:
Russo (6) from Nemec (13) and Schmelzer (22) PP
Holtz (4) None PENALTY SHOT
Nemec (7) from Clarke (25) and Wotherspoon (14)
Holtz (5) from Walsh (25) and Foote (11)

Poulter17/20

3***
#1 Alexander Holtz (Utica Comets) 2 G/ OTGWG
#2 Simon Nemec (Utica Comets) 1 G/1 A
#3 Robbie Russo (Utica Comets) 1 G

Laval beat Syracuse 2-1 in OT. Both got a point. So the Comets only gained 1 point on the Crunch and cling to 2nd place by 2 points and Syracuse has a game in hand.

Laval remains 6 back and Utica has a game in hand on them.

Rochester thumped Hartford 8-4 and remain 5 back with 2 games in hand.

With a point Belleville is just 8 back of the Comets but only 2 out of 5th behind Laval for the last playoff berth.They have played 58 games, the most in the Division. Comets have 2 games in hand and everyone else games in hand on them. They can't afford many more losses, especially within in the Division, from here on out.

Tomorrow (Saturday):
Utica at Wilkes-Barre Scranton
Rochester at Syracuse
Laval at Springfield
Belleville at Lehigh Valley
This Division race is going to go down to the last game of the season to sort out teams 2-5.
4 and 5 will play a best of 3 and the winner gets Toronto.

Night all.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Assuming Nico Daws is injured since Isaac Poulter played again last night.

Any news on Daws?

Interesting. Though Poulter's numbers are very pedestrian it looks like the Comets have lost just once in regulation when he's played.

Will be nice to see playoff hockey for both the AHL and NHL clubs this year.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Brings a tear to my eye to see Holtzy lighting it up.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Brings a tear to my eye to see Holtzy lighting it up.

Can't help thinking he's forcing himself into a top-six role with New Jersey for next season with every goal he scores.

And I have an idea who he replaces.

 

[Louskoolaid89]

This makes me happy.

Best play by play voice in our organization. Then you have the Leah Hextall's of the world in the booth while someone like this deserves better. Jus saying. BTW great to see Holtz making an impact with Utica.

 

[Clam Jensen]

Can't help thinking he's forcing himself into a top-six role with New Jersey for next season with every goal he scores.

And I have an idea who he replaces.

Totally agree, but it’s a good problem to have for once

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Best play by play voice in our organization. Then you have the Leah Hextall's of the world in the booth while someone like this deserves better. Jus saying. BTW great to see Holtz making an impact with Utica.

Funny you say that. Thought the same when I hear him doing the Comets but when he did the Devils' earlier this year I wasn't as impressed.

Still far better than Sam Kasan.

Another guy I really like is Jeff O'Connor, who does Princeton University games.

Can't believe he is doing college hockey while the likes of Bill Sheridan and several others are doing NHL hockey.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Just saw where Nick Merkley's team, Dynamo Minsk was eliminated from the KHL playoffs.

Not necessarily for the Devils or Comets but at 25 years old and with 201 AHL games played can he be signed by an AHL or NHL team?

He actually scored 20 goals this season.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Just saw where Nick Merkley's team, Dynamo Minsk was eliminated from the KHL playoffs.

Not necessarily for the Devils or Comets but at 25 years old and with 201 AHL games played can he be signed by an AHL or NHL team?

He actually scored 20 goals this season.

If he is now a free agent, yes. If still under contract, don't think so.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Assuming Nico Daws is injured since Isaac Poulter played again last night.

Any news on Daws?

Interesting. Though Poulter's numbers are very pedestrian it looks like the Comets have lost just once in regulation when he's played.

Will be nice to see playoff hockey for both the AHL and NHL clubs this year.

He has reportedly been ill. He was first scratched for that reason on 3/3 and has not played since. Today would be day 8 and his 4th straight missed game.
Poulter's backup is ECHL Adirondack's other keeper, Jake Theut. Jake signed an AHL 2-way contract on 12/2/22 and was recently called up on 3/9/23 to back up last night. Poulters' backup in his other 2 recent starts were Utica University Asst Coack Adam Dekker (3/3) and ECHL traveling man Brody Clayes (3/5). Brody has played for Reading, Florida, and Adirondack this season.

The Comets are playing 3 in 3 this weekend and I'm not sure Poulter is up to that task. He had some problems early on last night. We'll see.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[Louskoolaid89]

Even Adirondack is have a good night so far. Up 4-0.