2022-23 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[tailfins]

Utica playoffs start tonight!

Excited to see how the team does. Seems like they run hot and cold - hopefully they can bring it for Game 1.

 

[KovalchukFistPump]

Any word on Holtz?

Edit: Just saw he's back at practice. Good news!

 

[Bad Goalie]

4/19/23
Round 1 - Play-in 2/3

Utica Comets @ Laval Rocket

Forwards:
15 Gambardella/ 26 Schmelzer/ 9 Holtz
25 Foote/ 21 Stevens/ 92 Clarke
24 Halonen/ 28 Pinho/ 8 Hawryluk
79 Laberge/ 77 Talvitie/ 12 Thompson

D-Pairs:
23 Wotherspoon/ 7 Nemec
65 Hayes/ 5 Russo
75 Groleau/ 7 Walsh

Goal - Daws

Scratches:
Poulter (BU)
Vukojevic (Inj)
Hutchison (Inj)
Hatakka (Inj)
Geertsen (H)
Friedman (H)
Filmon (H)
Engaras (H)
Ibragimov (H)
Gourley (H)
Parent (H)

I don't have video. Listening on radio so I won't be doing anything like play by play.

Reiley Walsh got the Comets on the board at 12:21. Assisits to Hawryluk and Groleau.

The 1st ended that way.
Utica 1 Laval 0

SOG:
9 apiece

PP:
No PP
1 set of matching Roughing penalties to Hayes of Utica and Dube' of Laval.

Comets stumbled in the last minute as is their MO, but Nico came up big on Laval's best effort.

Holtz and Halonen were returned to the lineup after the silent treatmant as to their absence. Halone had his appendix removed and Holtz was said to have Mono. That's a quick cure for Mono. Appendectomies are more medically perfected in the pas t few years with smaller incisions and quicker recoveries, but quick enough to play a high level of professional hockey is pretty amazing.

Halonen had a real good chance snuffed out by Primeau.
Holtz was rather invisible in his first action after 25 days off.

 

[Emperoreddy]

 

[R8Devs]

what a shift by Holtz! Zone entry carry and then sets up schmelzer

 

[Mgd31]

Nice to see my man Alex Holtz back

 

[R8Devs]

doesn't have the entry but this whole play was basically Holtz

 

[Bad Goalie]

2nd is under way.

Daws a save at 1:28. That ends their tendency to give one up quick in the First minute.

G____________________________O_________________________A___________________________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4th line in 3 on 1 and Talvitie puts it home from just inside the right dot.

2-0 Utica
3:11

A century left to play tonight.

Laval charges the net. Daws is wiped out and the Rocket are called for goalie interference.

Comets to the game's 1st PP.

We know the Comets PP has been the worst all season.
Clarke gets in and shoots and the Rocket break out short handed - nothing doing.

Puck is sent all the way down.

Comets in, Nemec shoots, save.

SH chance is stopped by Daws.

Back to 5 on 5. Very weak PP effort.

Comets continue to control action, but don't muster much in the way of shots.

Groleau turns it over and the shooter break his stick when in on a great chance.

Now a Rocket fans on a shooting chance.

Laval another great chance, wide.

Wraparound fails.

Shot high over the net and out of play.

TV TO
9:29 to go
The Rocket have suddenly come to life and the Comets have been on their heels the last couple of minutes.

Time out is over and back to action.

Comets win a draw and get it out and the Rocket come right back in and Daws holds on.

Win the draw again. Comets can't get out.

Shot wide.

Shot over the crossbar.

Halonen just can't reach a centering pass.

Laval ices it.

Shaya getting way ahead of himself. Just call the game and never mind the editorializing!

Stevens and Clarke spend way too much time trying to get themselves into shooting positions and turn it over a lot. Need to just let it go when the opportunity is there instead of trying to make a move to get in closer. The normal result is a turnover without a shot.

TV TO
5:55 to go

Shot by Laval out of play.

Russo shot into traffic results in a Laval rush. Wotherspoon flattened.

Laval back in. Comets get it up ice.

Shot off the post. Dineen thinks it was in. Ref was right on top of it. Play goes on

Walsh lays down to break up a pass.

Russo get in close and fires. Primeau a save.

Loose puck smothered by Primeau to stop play.

Approaching the Achilles heel of the final minute.

Instead_____________________________________________________________GOAL UTICA!!!!!!!!

Hioltz carried it deep and went behind the net a centered it to Schmelzer who buried it. He was all alone in the slot.

3-0 Utica
18:49

TV TO
:48 to go. Really?

Center ice faceoff.

Shaya is talking. Game is going on. Never stopped for the entire 48 seconds!

Can hear some booing after the horn as the Rocket make their way off the ice.

END OF 2

Utica leads 3-0

SOG:
8-5 Laval

2-period total
17-13 Laval

PP:
Utica - 0/1
Laval - 0/0

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Aarne and Tyce!

 

[Bad Goalie]

The Rocket is an explosive offensive team. Won 8 of their last 9 coming into the playoffs. Got some help Montreal which helped them secure a playoff spot.

Utica has what they have had. No influx of players. They will have top go with the team that got them to this point. Injuries have slowly been eased out of the story. Their roster is healthy with 7 healthy scratches. 2 of the 3 still out are inconsequential and one of those 2 has never played here at all, Hatakka. Vukojevic has mostly alternated with another healthy guy, usually Groleau who has been a regular since Vuk went out with a surgically repaired finger.

Can't sat enough about the effort of the scratched healthy ECHL fill-ins over the past 10 games or so. They gave their all and got on the scoresheet in many of those games.

3rd is under way and a giveaway in the first minute caused Daws to come up big.

Another big chance as the first minute goes by.

Laval has turned it up.

Comets in the Laval end putting on pressure. Mostly the work of the 4th line.

Laval keeps pumping it in and the Comets work to get it out.

Comets need not to forget the best way to keep the opponent off the board is to play in their end!

Primeau a HUGE save!

Daws holds on for a whistle. 14:29 to go.

Holtz stopped by Primeau as Alex shot the puck back against the direction he was going.

Laval hits a post and Comets come back 2 on 1 and Clarke as always never considered a pass and Primeau stoned him.

Daws a save as the Rocket swarm.

Past the 10 minute mark.

Laval running around the perimeter, but not penetrating inside..

Stevens down the middle, off Primeau's glove.

A scuffle ensues.

Hawryluk off for roughing. Dumb unnecessary penalty. Laval has a very good PP. He took the bait and threw a punch.

Make them work for this at least.

Puck cleared out.

Laval back in. Work ir around. Shot deflected. OF THE POST.

up the ice.

Daws a save. Puck back into the Laval end.

Comets keep it in. Nemec gives it up.

Laval working, but not putting anything together.

5 on 5

Primeau gloves it and holds on.

TV TO
5:18 to go

Remember what Utica did in Syracuse in the last 5 minutes on Saturday? This one is far from over.

Primeau will be leaving real soon. That's exactly how Utica did it.

There he goes.

Daws a stop.

Laval works the puck.

Daws a big glove grab and another whistle.

Last TV TO
4:16 to go.
Laval still has another TO to use.

Comets need to get possession and get ashoit at that open net. NMo clear shot? just get it out. Icing is not the best move.

Big stop by Daws off the draw.

Comets chance to clear fails. Gamby gets it out. Laval back in--- offsides!@

Laval in control. Clock is just not moving.

Daws a stop and Comets get it out. Clarke JUST misses the open net. Icing 2:40

Deflection stopped by Daws.

A shot. Daws
Rebound Daws.
Rebound Daws. Whistle.
Lots of scrapping. Fists being thrown. How do the Zebras deal with this?
They simply move the faceoff out of the zone. Crowd going nuts.
2:00 to go and Laval uses their TO.

Laval in again.

Daws a stop and laberge down on the ice blocks a shot and Schmelzer is out with the puck

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> U--G---H-H the DAGGER is In!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Schmelzer the ENG

This one is OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daws the SHUTOUT!

4-0 Utica

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

Nemec left a lot to be desired, especially with his skating/pace/urgency. Without a monumental jump he should start in the AHL next season.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Game Recap

Utica Comets 4 Laval Rocket 0

SOG:
UTC - 8 5 11 = 24
LAV - 9 8 16 = 33

PP:
UTC - 0/1
LAV - 0/1

Scoring:
Reilly Walsh (1) from Jayce Hawryluk (1) and Jeremy Groleau (1)
Arrne Talvitie (1) from Tyce Thompson (1) and Tyler Wotherspoon (1)
Ryan Schmelzer (1) From Alexander Holtz (1) and Robbie Russo (1)
Ryan Schmelzer (2) from Samuel Laberge (1) ENG

Daws - 33/33

3***
1 - Nico Daws (Utica Comets) 33/33 He was on right from the get go.
2 - Ryan Schmelzer (Utica Comets) 2 G
3 - Anthony Richard (Laval Rocket) 0 G/0 A ??

A lot of Comets c/should have been the 3rd star.

Comets return home on Friday to take on the Rocket in game 2 of their best of 3.

Good night, y'all.

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Should be a great battle in camp next summer.

 

[mdj12784]

Holtz lives, baby Devils shutout! Much needed after, you know

 

[NJ07102]

Great choice to play one of if not THE best road game of the season. One more to go!

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Nemec left a lot to be desired, especially with his skating/pace/urgency. Without a monumental jump he should start in the AHL next season.

Still was a +3 in his playoff debut. Had a very solid rookie season as an 18 year old. Another year in the AHL with potential call up for some games will let his ELC slide another year which won't be a bad thing. Typically he would of played a season in Liga , SHL , Switzerland etc this past year. It would be good for his development but him going to the AHL was the best place for him to go. I'm sure he has learned a ton this year. Our blueline will be tough to crack but if we lose guys than Nemec is seeing NHL ice next year when the injuries start to hit.

 

[Louskoolaid89]

Watched some of Adirondack's win over New Foundland. Had no idea they were even in the playoffs as well. Just saw it on my Flosports APP. Part of the organization. I think the radio guy is the best prospect there. I have heard him on Devils radio broadcast before. Anyway go Thunder!

 

[DevilsHughes86]

Couldn't score tickets, but watched most of the game, Utica completely controlled the play from start to finish, great road game

 

[UticaHockey]

Couldn't score tickets, but watched most of the game, Utica completely controlled the play from start to finish, great road game

It was one of the best efforts from the Comets this season. A perfect road game as others have mentioned. They were first to loose pucks all game long. Nico Daws is on top of his game at the right time of the year. Since he came back from injury he has looked so calm and confident in the net.

 

[OmNomNom]

Watched some of Adirondack's win over New Foundland. Had no idea they were even in the playoffs as well. Just saw it on my Flosports APP. Part of the organization. I think the radio guy is the best prospect there. I have heard him on Devils radio broadcast before. Anyway go Thunder!

ADKs arena was rocking when they clinched playoffs (if you go back a few pages) - really sick to see

 

[Unknown Caller]

It was one of the best efforts from the Comets this season. A perfect road game as others have mentioned. They were first to loose pucks all game long. Nico Daws is on top of his game at the right time of the year. Since he came back from injury he has looked so calm and confident in the net.

Daws is seemingly a forgotten man in the organization with Schmid's play at the NHL level, but he's a damn good goalie. He's going to surprise a lot of people who are overlooking him.

 

[Guttersniped]

Watched some of Adirondack's win over New Foundland. Had no idea they were even in the playoffs as well. Just saw it on my Flosports APP. Part of the organization. I think the radio guy is the best prospect there. I have heard him on Devils radio broadcast before. Anyway go Thunder!

Their whole run to the playoffs is a fun story.

They turned a terrible start around finally using a 12 game point streak (9-0-3) to get them near a playoff spot with 5 games left.

Then they got demolished in the first 3 remaining games, with the first of those losses coming from the team they were chasing, the Worcester Railers*.

Then they turned around and won their last two home games vs Railers (which I posted about earlier).

Lucky for them Worcester was limping home, even with the one win they were 3-6-1 in their last 10 before the last 2 games.

The ECHL playoff format is an odd 3-4, which I guess is to cut down on travel, so the lower seed gets the first 3 games at home.

The Thunder have done well at home, so while the are definitely long shots, playing 3 games at home first definitely helps.

Home ice advantage is very much a thing in the ECHL and Thunder are way better at home. Their run to the playoffs was fueled mostly by home wins, they won their last 7 home games.

Adirondack is 21-10-5 at home vs 11-19-6
Newfoundland is 27-8-1 at home vs 22-14-1

*Don’t confuse Worcester Railers with ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, or Adirondack Thunder with ECHL’s Wichita Thunder for that matter. (The Ultimate future Kelly Cup match-up, Thunder vs Thunder!)

 

[Louskoolaid89]

Their whole run to the playoffs is a fun story.

They turned a terrible start around finally using a 12 game point streak (9-0-3) to get them near a playoff spot with 5 games left.

Then they got demolished in the first 3 remaining games, with the first of those losses coming from the team they were chasing, the Worcester Railers*.

Then they turned around and won their last two home games vs Railers (which I posted about earlier).

Lucky for them Worcester was limping home, even with the one win they were 3-6-1 in their last 10 before the last 2 games.

The ECHL playoff format is an odd 3-4, which I guess is to cut down on travel, so the lower seed gets the first 3 games at home.

The Thunder have done well at home, so while the are definitely long shots, playing 3 games at home first definitely helps.

Home ice advantage is very much a thing in the ECHL and Thunder are way better at home. Their run to the playoffs was fueled mostly by home wins, they won their last 7 home games.

Adirondack is 21-10-5 at home vs 11-19-6
Newfoundland is 27-8-1 at home vs 22-14-1

*Don’t confuse Worcester Railers with ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, or Adirondack Thunder with ECHL’s Wichita Thunder for that matter. (The Ultimate future Kelly Cup match-up, Thunder vs Thunder!)

Yeah saw this team get killed in Reading back on NHL All-Star weekend. Was not impressed. Yeah format is weird but, makes sense. I'll keep watching Flosports is pretty cool for undercover sports with undeserved fans. If your niche is there it's worth it! From Drag Racing to gymnastics and plenty of hockey. Hahah.

 

[Mgd31]

Walsh has been clutch. Ties game 2 up with 18 seconds left. Had the OT winner game 1

 

[Emperoreddy]

Can the big club do this?