2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Bad Goalie]

What's the story on Hatakka?

Injured upon arrival?
Smith reactivated and we get an injured return? Thought they couldn't send a guy down until he was game ready?

How about maybe he is ill with what Vitek has/had?

With the exception of Vilen/Russo, who have been together for some time, the other 2 pairs they iced last night were not pretty.

However, Russo and Vilen were on the ice for 2GA. Then we had Vukojevic/Felix for the other 2 ESGs.
The 2 PPGs had Vukojevic/Vilen and Vukojevic/Wotherspoon. Looks like Vuk was the #1 D-loser on the night as he was out there for 4 of the goals against.

 

[NjDevsRR]

Ah yes, the keep politics out of sports crowd doing the exact opposite as always.

Hypocritical losers.

 

[UticaHockey]

What's the story on Hatakka?

Injured upon arrival?
Smith reactivated and we get an injured return? Thought they couldn't send a guy down until he was game ready?

How about maybe he is ill with what Vitek has/had?

With the exception of Vilen/Russo, who have been together for some time, the other 2 pairs they iced last night were not pretty.

However, Russo and Vilen were on the ice for 2GA. Then we had Vukojevic/Felix for the other 2 ESGs.
The 2 PPGs had Vukojevic/Vilen and Vukojevic/Wotherspoon. Looks like Vuk was the #1 D-loser on the night as he was out there for 4 of the goals against.

I think it was travel related coming back from Nashville. Hatakka must be ready to play because they just sent Felix back to Adirondack.

 

[JimEIV]

I think it was travel related coming back from Nashville. Hatakka must be ready to play because they just sent Felix back to Adirondack.

Those black and red Utica jerseys are gorgeous

 

[Guttersniped]

I think it was travel related coming back from Nashville. Hatakka must be ready to play because they just sent Felix back to Adirondack.

Yes, reportedly this.

 

[Bad Goalie]

That's good news on Hatakka.
That gives the Comets:

Hatakka
Russo
Wotherspoon
Vilen
Misyul (Desperately need him back in)
Vukojevic
MacKinnon
If Daniil is still out, that would only give them 6 D. The fact that Felix was returned to Adironcdack says Misyul must be coming back and MacKinnon or Vukojevis will sit out as the 7th D. God I hope I'm correct.

I knew Timur would end up the odd man out up front with Willman and Stevenson on the roster.

Theoretically it's a better group of forwards:
1 Dowling C
2 Schmelzer C
3 Criscuolo C
4 Stevenson C
5 Engaras C

6 Willman LW
7 Durandeau LW
8 Gambardella LW
9 Parent LW/RW
10 Laberge LW/RW

11 Clarke RW
12 Halonen RW
13 Stillman RW

14 Middendorf LW
15 Fitzgerald LW

With Engaras still out for 2 weeks (so they say) that gives them 14 healthy forwards. Dineen likes to work with 1 spare forward and 1 spare D.

Only 3 true RWs and Parent's points have fallen off since he has become a frequent RW.

With Engaras out he has the 12 forwards he will play in the 13 listed.
Middendorf is the better spare.
Fitzgerald is simply a roster spot. The guy brings nothing to the lineup.

When Engaras returns, I think Dineen will send Middendorf back to Adirondack leaving Laberge and Engaras as the 2 who get jockeyed around while Fitz sits in the wings.

Laberge is a true LW while Engaras shoots right and could allow Parent back to his natural LW and Laberge would sit.

Engaras could be the 4th center and Criscuolo could go back out on the RW where he has played some.

The could-bes are unlikely with Dineen. So, I see him keeping Parent on the RW and Laberge on the LW while Engaras becomes the extra made expendable by Stevenson. Middendorf goes back to Adirondack.

My bet is by the time Engaras returns somebody else will be out and all of this theorizing as to who plays where will become moot. LOL

 

[My3Sons]

Ah yes, the keep politics out of sports crowd doing the exact opposite as always.

Hypocritical losers.

That's unfair. I'm sure any number of folks go to hockey games that don't raise political banners.

 

[Zajacs Bowl Cut]

is Hatakka not playing?

 

[Triumph]

is Hatakka not playing?

He is in the lineup according to theahl.com, no idea why anyone would say otherwise.

 

[Bad Goalie]

is Hatakka not playing?

He's playing, but did not play all that well.

Comets lost 3-2 and with 2 home losses in the last 2 and 3 in a row (2 to Bellevillie), have fallen even farther into the cellar.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

Brian Halonen had another 2 goal night. There really isn't any room to call him up right now but hopefully he keeps this up. A big body who can score goals is something every team would want in it's lineup. He's certainly developing this year , not bad for a non drafted player at that.

 

[NJ07102]

Brian Halonen had another 2 goal night. There really isn't any room to call him up right now but hopefully he keeps this up. A big body who can score goals is something every team would want in it's lineup. He's certainly developing this year , not bad for a non drafted player at that.

Second best goal scorer on the team with only 20 of the 46 games played is pretty impressive.

 

[Bad Goalie]

2/17/24
Utica Comets @ Rochester Americans

Comets trying to stop a 3 game skid. Currently in the cellar 3 points behind 6th place Laval (48) and 6 points behind Belleville and Toronto tied for the 5th (51) and final playoff spot. One of these two will eventually be in 4th and the other in 5th when the tie is broken.

Forwards:
20 Willman/ 10 Dowling/ 24 Halonen
67 Parent/ 51 Criscuolo/ 92 Clarke
48 Middendorf/ 26 Schmelzer/ 21 Durandeau
79 Laberge/ 17 Stevenson/ 61 Stillman

D-pairs:
8 Hatakka/ 23 Wotherspoon
83 Vilen/ 5 Russo
93 Misyul/ 2 Vukojevic

Goal - 31 Kallgren

Scratches:
Poulter (BU)
Fitzgerald (H)
Gambardella (H)
MacKinnon (H)
Engaras (Inj)
Bowers (LTIR)

 

[Bad Goalie]

Period 1

Willman shot and held. :08 seconds in.

Clarke shot off the glove and over the net.

Russo shot turned aside.

Kallgren a stop.

Dowling a shot - saved.

Breakaway Amerks and he loses it at Kallgren's feet. Follow up shot stopped by Kallgren. D let a 2nd guy in to try a shot as well

Big stop by Kallgren.

Comets give up wide open chances. Fail to cover the backside and cross ice passes are the responsibility of the keeper. Not supposed to be that way!

Comets chances vs Amerks chances are night and day. Comets shots easy stops and Amerks shots require much better saves.

 

[Bad Goalie]

TV TO
? to go The broadcast continually shows 20:00 minutes.

Play begins and Shaya tells us 11:20.

Cooley a stop off a deflection. That was a good save.

Weak Amerk shot from the point but a mate skating across the crease backhands it up over Kallgren's shoulder. Great net front protection.

1-0 Amerks 9:40

Delayed call coming for the Comets 6 on 5.
Misyul shot goes wide. The 6 on 5 delayed opportunities have proven futile for the Comets. Its much like their PPs . They can't manage to keep getting the puck to an open guy until a shooting opportunity arises.

Comets to the PP.

Win the draw and the Amerks clear it as Stevens foolishly throws it into open ice.

Halonen keeps getting possession and shooting, but Stevens keeps flubbing the puck. What the Hell is Stevens doing on the PP?

Now, with :23 left on the PP Schmelzer goes for interference.

Amerks to the PP.

Big stop by Kallgren after he made an easy stop and he slapped it into the slot with his stick to an Amerk who made his life difficult.

Another stop by K. Penalty over.

Comets, as is par for their recent play, keep getting chances from good spots, but miss the net. Parent and Clarke have been the most common culprits. Poulter and Clarke on the last 2 chances carry on.

TV TO
4:00 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Halonen gets away with a trip behind the net.

Halonen in and shoots wide!

Cooley a stop in front and he gets a whistle even though the puck was not frozen.

Parent hits the outside of the net. Closer, but still wide.

Comets on a delayed call. Russo gives it up in the O-zone. Another delayed 6 on 5 opportunity with nothing to show for it.

Comets back to the PP.

Shaya going nuts over a Metallica song during the delay. Give us a break Jayson.

Clarke a shot and a huge rebound escapes any Comet. Sent down.
Back in and the puck goes back down.

Vilen mishandles at the blueline and Comets have to touch up. Amerks clear it. Comets back in and the puck is back out.

Their PP is so inept. All possession is on the perimeter. The opponent just keeps fronting the puck and the Comets eventually give it up or force a pass or shot normally blocked or stopped and shot down the ice. It's pathetic.

PP ends and the period mere seconds later.

!-0 Amerks after 1.

SOG
14-7 Comets
Very misleading stat.

Weak shots or throwing it at the net from bad angles, long distances, and unhindered views are not exactly scoring chances. Cooley has made maybe 3 or 4 actual shot saves.
In contrast almost every stop Kallgren has had to stop were real good scoring chances. He had no chance on the goal as an unchallenged Amerk cut across the net front and backhanded the point shot like it was a pass up over K's shoulder.

 

[Forge]

Hatakka picked up a goal, had an assist last night I believe. He wants to come back up lol

 

[Its Always Sundstrom]

Hatakka picked up a goal, had an assist last night I believe. He wants to come back up lol

 

[Bad Goalie]

Period 2

Comets on another PP with the period barely underway.

Almost a minute gone.

Parent sends it into the middle and Willman 1-times it .................

IT'S IN !!!!!!!!!!!
G-------O--------A-------L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1-1

Comets Stevens moves down the right side and slides it to Hatakka who gets closer and fires from the bottom of the left circle.

G___________O___________A_____________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-hole shot.

2-1 Comets.

Comets are back in and Cooley has it under him and Halonen goes fishing and he attracts an upset Amerk. They square off and the officials won't let them go.

Halonen - roughing and Cecconi - slashing - 2 each

4 on 4

A single Comet comes in down the right side. Parent lets him slide by and Hatakka just let him past and he then passed the puck across the crease to a wide open Amerk on the backside post.

2-2

Absolutely shit defensive coverage all around, but the major culprit was Hatakka. I don't know what he showed the fans in NJ, but he was bad last night and this goal was horrid play by him.

Now the Amerks are putting on the pressure as the Comets act like they don't know what DEFENSE is.

TV TO
12:42 to go

Hatakka picked up a goal, had an assist last night I believe. He wants to come back up lol

Just keep reading the Score sheet. He's playing terribly defensively!

 

[My3Sons]

Period 2

Comets on anothr PP with the period barely underway.

Almost minute gone.

Parent Sends it into the miiddle and Willman 1-times it .................

IT"S IN !!!!!!!!!!!
G-------O--------A-------L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1-1

Comets Stevens moves dcown the right side andslides it to Hatakka who goes closer and fires from the bottom of the left circle.

G___________O___________A_____________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-hole shot.

2-1 Comets.

Comets are back in and Cooley has it under him and Halonen goes fishing and he atracts an upset Amerk. They square off and the officials won't let them go.

Halonen - roughing and Cecconi - slashing - 2 each

4 on 4

A single Comet comes in down the right side. Parent lets hi slide by and Hatakka jusrt let him slide the puck acroos the crease to a wiode open A=merk on the backsid post.

Absolutely shit defensive coverage all around, but the major culprit wsa Hatalkka. I don't know what he showed the fans in NJ, but he was bad last night and this goal was horrid play by him.

Now the Amerks are putting on the pressure as the Comets act like they don't know what DEFENSE is.

TV TO
12:42 to go


Just keep reading the Score sheet. He's playing terribly defensively!

That’s disappointing to hear. He seemed defensively capable when he was with the big club.

 

[Forge]

Just keep reading the Score sheet. He's playing terribly defensively!

Played well defensively for the big club when he was up. Weird

 

[Bad Goalie]

Amerks appear to be playing a sit and wait game. Wait for a mistake and counter attack.
Comets work in their own zone is not good. The Amerks just keep moving it and all of a sudden there is an open space and a shot comes with a mate in front with little resistance.

2 Comets defeated off the rush by 2 Amerks and a shot comes from in front as the Amerk is inside the defender and although leaned on gets off another dangerous in close shot.

Another shot from in front and a scrum ensues over the loose puck in the crease.

TV TO
9:03 to go

That’s disappointing to hear. He seemed defensively capable when he was with the big club.

He was here also before he went up, but not so in his 2 games since his return.

 

[My3Sons]

Amerks appear to be playing a sit and wait game. Wait for a mistake and counter attack.
Comets work in their own zone is not good. The Amerks just keep mooving it and all of a sudden there is an open space and a shot comes with a mate in front with little resistance.

2 Comets defeated off the rush by 2 Amerks and a shot comes from in front as the Amerk is inside the defender and although leaned on gets off another dangerous in close shot.

Another shot from in front and a scrum ensues over the loose puck in the crease.

TV TO
9:03 to go


He was here before he went up, but not so in his 2 games since his return.

Maybe the big club told him to work on his offense and he forgot they meant work on it without neglecting his defense. I’m sure Dineen will get his head on straight.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Kallgren is run with no assistance by a Comet. Just ran right over him. Scrum ensues.

Parent is going to the box. No Amerk is called!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is pure BullShit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comets to the PK.

Maybe the big club told him to work on his offense and he forgot they meant work on it without neglecting his defense. I’m sure Dineen will get his head on straight.

I wouldn't count on Dineen to do anything.

 

[My3Sons]

Kallgren is run with no assistance by a Comet. Just ran right over him. Scrum ensues.

Parent is going to the box. No Amerk is called!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is pure BullShit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comets to the PK.



I wouldn't count on Dineen to do anything.

You’ve been consistent and honest in your critique of Dineen but he’s not a complete idiot or he would have made it this long. He may not have any feel for strategy or tactics but presumably he will know when a player is cheating for offense and tell him he isn’t fooling anyone. Hopefully he can at least do that.