2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Bad Goalie]

Comets to the PK as Engaras gets 2 for hooking. Really?

Centering pass and Schmid makes a brilliant glove save on a shot from the right dot.

Another save and he holds on again. PP ends.

Stevens whiffs wide open to Akiras's left right after the PP ended.

Laval contiues to run inthe Comets end, but continue to miss the net.

Comets not only failing to clear the puck from their zone but actually send nice easy passes to the point men! If there's no hole SLAP THE f**KING THING AT THE GUY. HE 'LL LET IT GO.
Icing is better than passes to the point!

Comets are sending one guy in on the forecheck. Dineen is doing it again. Have a lead and be very cautious offensively and set up in the NJ 5-man box defensively.

TV TO
4:41 to go.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Parent just launched a beautiful chance from the high slot and it had no chance as it was way wide.

Comets setting up in slow motion and telegraph every pass. RESULT-----A breakaway on Schmid and he is stopped by AKIRA!

Another huge save as his mates can't get the puck out again!

 

[Bad Goalie]

Parent is a giveaway machine tonight. trying to beat every defender and it AIN"T working.

Period ends and the Comets stillholding on
2-1.

SOG 15-7 Laval.

Dineen will never understand that his team cannot go into a defensive mode.

It's iditoic to start it early in a second period with a 1-goal lead anyways!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1 PP in the 2nd. Laval got the PP.

In the ref game management system, the Rocket are due to get 2 more to make it even and they are sure to get a 2-man advantage as the Comets have had to of them. Didn't score on them, but that doesn't mean they don't deserve an eaqual chance.

That seems to be the way hockey refs in any league view their job. They can't give 1 team an advantage on their calls. It doesn't matter if that's simply the way it works out based upon the way the game goes. Nope. Can't be the blame to giving one team more opportunities than the other.

Just call the game the way it unfolds!

 

[Bad Goalie]

Here we go for the 3rd.

Middendorf on a semi-breakaway, caught from behind, and his attempted shot is thwarted from behind.

Comets forecheck and defensive zone play is slow motion allowing Laval to pretty much do what they want. So many shot attempts directly into a defender.

Halonen the only guy moving at full speed. Up the ice, beats 2 defenders, and gets his shot away.

Still making the weak, slow passes that get intercepted with little effort.

Parent get 2 for slashing he did hit the stick of the guy he was stride for stride with, but that's not slashing.

Shot right off the faceoff and Schmid holds on. Lose the draw and they pass it around but lose it out of the zone.
Diving pass block by Wotherspoon.

Comets ragging it in the neutral zone..
Dump it in.

A Rocket tripped and immediately thereafter Vuk is tripped. No calls.
TV TO
11:55 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

I think the Comets have to get 1 more to get this game a little more out in front of them.

Any single shot can tie this up.
Just as type it the faceoff after the TO is in the back of the net. A shot out of a scrum and Schmid wasn't ready for it.

SEE it's 2-2.

Comets cannot hold onto close leads. It's been like that all season and every time they have played Laval.

Parent 1 on 1 and can't get his shot past the single defender.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Umpteenth Comets wrister from the point with a man in front and the wrister is nowhere near his guy in front.

The tipin is there, but they cannot hit the netfront!

Russo fans on a pass to the point ands the Rocket gets on the run, but he can't catch up to it before it getsback to Vilen.

Scmid another stop on a tough shot.

Laval in and Stevens scores streeaking into the slot and shoots it in on the stick side.

3-2

Right back in off the faceoff and they score again from the same spot
This one was a fluttering knuckle ball. Schmid was down and it went in over his shoulder.
4-2

Comets get in and the save is made.

TV TO
4:37 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Shaya says they'll get back into it.

I am not with the biggest homer ever.

2 on 1 and Schmid makes the stop.

Comets keep trying to get set up and the Rocket keep interfering with everything and getting it out. They are not sinking and hoping to block shots.

2:30 to go and Schmid is gone. Comets keep passing it back and frorth beween the D on the poinbts. Parnet takes it and tries to force his way inside, Turns it over and the length of the ice clear is in the net.

Parent has looked like he belongs in Adirondack tonight.

5-2.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

led 2-1 entering the 3rd and lost 5-2

YIKES.

 

[Bad Goalie]

2-2 with 5:26 to go.
The Rocket score 2 in the the next 10 seconds. Make it 4-2 and hit an empty netter with 1:53 still left.

A total disaster in the 3rd period.
4 unanswered goals by the Rocket.

Comets lose it 5-2.

 

[Mgd31]

Poor Schmid is broken

 

[Bad Goalie]

Laval Rocket 5 Utica Comets 2

SOG:
UTICA 14 6 9 = 29
LAVAL 7 14 12 = 33

PP:
UTICA
1/4

LAVAL
0/3

Scoring
Halonen (6) from Bowers (2) and Wotherspoon (9)
Halonen (7) from Laberge (6) and Schmelzer (18)

Schmid 28/32
9GP / 34GA / 3.65 GAA / .886 SV% / 2-3-1-3

3 *s all Laval Rocket
1 Gabriel Bourque 1G/1A
2 Mitchell Stephens 1G
3 Logan Mailloux 2G

Poor Schmid is broken

I was reluctant to call him out but in spite of some brilliant saves the goals were not good.

Once the preesure was on in the 3rd trying to protect a lead he folded like a tent.

 

[Guttersniped]

In most cases, players can simply wait four years (or, occasionally, five years) in college while the clock ticks down on their exclusive signing rights with whichever team drafted them into the NHL.

A first-round pick like Gauthier very seldom stays at school for their entire balance of NCAA eligibility. But for players selected later in the draft, it’s not unusual to wait it out before picking the best spot as a free agent.

It can work the other way, too. Teams don’t always have room for every promising college prospect, especially later-round picks or those who take longer to develop.

In any case, there is almost always a decent crop of NCAA players who end up hitting the open market on August 15 each year. That’s the annual deadline for teams to sign college prospects after their final year at school.

Here’s a look at 10 of the best seniors and fifth-years slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer.

There’s one center on the list.

Hey wait a sec…

Artem Shlaine (C, New Jersey Devils) — Shlaine is a dual citizen of Russia and the USA who rose through the ranks in and around Moscow before heading stateside as a teenager. The 6’1″ center played for Team USA at the 2019 Hlinka/Gretzky Cup and began attending the University of Connecticut shortly after being made a fifth-round pick by New Jersey (2020, No. 130 overall). But Shlaine never really found his footing with the Huskies and transferred to Northern Michigan after his sophomore year. That move has proven to be a wise one. Shlaine tied for second on the Wildcats with 32 points in 2022–23 and has 16 points in 18 games as a senior this year. He’s slick, and he won’t turn 22 until March.

He was at the 2023 (& 2022) Devils Prospect Camp, so hopefully he’s signing with us.

 

[forceten]

We can't afford to let any center prospects go at this point.

 

[nugg]

Misyul was called up today, I guess that's why he wasn't in the lineup yesterday.

 

[Hockey Sports Fan]

Poor Schmid is broken

Partly Fitz’s fault for not claiming Stephens. He should’ve been on his way to Newark instead of scoring against Schmid in the minors.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Misyul was called up today, I guess that's why he wasn't in the lineup yesterday.

Exact same thing is true for Dowling who also didn't play last night.

The Comets have been stripped bare and all that's left is a load of incompetence.

Yet, Dineen continues to run NJ systems with players who have no ability to do such. Mud plodders cannot work systems depending upon speed. When you see a Comet in NJ, the most common assessment given is how slow they are. No duh!

You don't think the Comets were constructed to be jr. Devils do you. The only guys down here that are actual possible Devils are Clarke (too slow, weak puck skills, low hockey IQ), Stillman (only because he was 1st round selection and the Devs would like him to be something, if not more than depth. Right now he doesn't seem to even be heading to fit that role), Misyul and Hatakka (do your own assessments since they are there now. In my view Hatakka may be a #8/Misyul might possibly be a #7 or better. Problem is both are LD. Misyul is bigger and more physical and can carry the puck. Hatakka is better suited positionally. Neither is ready to take on a fixed role in the NHL. Neither is actually fast though both are good skaters.)

Halonen might be a sleeper.

I'm done here.

 

[Bad Goalie]

1/26/24
Utica @ Rochester Americans
Forwards:
Middendorf/ Schmelzer/ Halonen
Durandeau/ Criscuolo/ Clarke
Gambardella/ Bowers/ Parent
Laberge/ Engaras/ Fitzgerald

Vilen/ Russo
Vukojevic/ Wotherspoon
MacKinnon/ Felix
Vilen/ Russo

Goal - Poulter

Scratches:
Kallgren (BU)
Schmid (H)
Stillman (ill?)

Comets playing without any scratched healthy players except goalies. 12 forwards and 6 D.

 

[Bad Goalie]

A very blah beginning to this one. 8 minutes in and very little in the way of chances, SOG 4-1 Utica. The shots were not dangerous.

MacKinnon gets 2 for cross checking.
TV TO 11:57 to go.

Poulter 2 saves on a shot from the corner and a short rebound on the goal line. Held the post on both shots.

PK is over. Still 0-0.
9:40 left

 

[Bad Goalie]

Felix 2 for tripping 11:13

Down the ice.

Short down the ice.

Blocked at the blueline.

Shot down the ice.

:30 to go

Shot down the ice again.

It's killed and the Comets are in the Amerks zone, but nothing comes of it.

MacKinon a backhand from the net front and Cooley gloves it.

After the faceoff Laberge forces a shot through a crowd and Cooley knocks it down an covers it.

Polter stops a shot from in close.

Russo stopped on a shot from the right side.

Scmelzer in the slot off to the keeper's right. He toe drags right and then backhands from back to his left Keeper is down and the shot-----------------------------IS IN!!!!!!!!!!

SCHMELZER S___C____O____R_____E____S!

1-0 Comets 15:15

Vilen in clean. Forehand, backhand, and loses the puck. Great chance frittered away. He was unchallenged.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Clarke a shot from the right circle (dot). Cooley the save.

1 minute to go.

Poulter a stop on a shot from right in front of him. Typical Comets lapse in the last minute of a period. Without Isaac it would be all tied up.

Horn goes.

Scrum in the Amerks end and the refs break it up.

End of the first

Comets lead 1-0

SOG 13-10 Utica

 

[Bad Goalie]

Here we go
Period 2

Wicked shot by Riley Stillman. High and wide.

Shot from the lower part of the left circle - wide right.

Another Amerk in on the rush and Poulter stops his shot from the bottom of the right circle.

Rochester working hard and the Comets holding on.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Rochester offsides -17:49 to go

MacKinnon a shot from the left dot. Cooley holds on.

Puck shot out of the Amerks end. Refs confer and it looks like ???????????

Delay of game!

Comets to the PP.

Of the draw the Amerks come out 2 abreast and muddle it up at the Comets blueline.

Comets have yet to get into the Amerks end in possession.

Finally get it in. Clarke breaks in and shoots from the right circle.

G__________O_______A_________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The shot hit Gambardella in the face and it deflected in. Goal by Joe Gambardella.


Schmelzer in and it's saved.

Rochester in a nd a shot is deflected wide and the Comets get it out.

Amerks in and a pass right through the net front is untouched and the Comets get it out again

Another shot wide of Poulter.

Comets need to get out of this Dineen ordered NJ 5-man box because they are ahead.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Criscuolo a shot wide.

Amerks back in and the Comets ice it.

Comets win the draw and shoot it out.

Parent brings it in and Wotherspom shoots wide after a lot of work by Parent to get it to Wotherspoon is wasted.

Icing Utica.

Faceoff in the Comets end. Lose the draw. A really good shot from straight on in the slot and Poulter answers the call.

TV TO
9:51 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Poulter sprawls out to freeze another one.

Comets pinned in a gain. Get it out and are in the Amerlks end.Engaras shot wiode. Wotherspoon shot wide.

Mackiinon tuns it over to an Amerk all alone in the low slot and Poulter is big again. Laberge lays down toi block another shot.

Parent a shot from the slot and it's wide.

TV TO
6:17 to go

Criscuolo a weak shot after the faceoff. Back the other way.

Comets Ice it.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Poulter a shouler save. It pops up and he doesn't know where it is. It's poked out of the crease and an Amerk fires again and this time Isaac stops it an holds on.

TV TO
4:47 to go