2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread

[Bad Goalie]

Comets get it out.

Amerk past Hatakka again and Kallgren makes a stop.

Comets out 2 on 1 shorthanded and Dowling waits and waits and then slides it across the net front to MISYUL who ................................

S__________C__________O__________R_________E_________S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Poetic justice. Even the Hockey Gods couldn't live with that terrible non-call.

3-2 Comets

TV TO
5:40 to go.

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.

Hope so.

Russo walks down the right side with all kinds of traffic in front and his seeing eye slapshot finds a way in.

G____________________O____________________A__________________L!!!!!!!!!

4-2 Comets.

 

[Bad Goalie]

An Amerk is given a shot on a turnover from the bottom of the circle. Blocked. Rebound shot by the same Amerk and Clarke tips it in.

4-3

The Comets have no idea how to live with prosperity.

Shaya talking about how strong the Comets have been playing defensively. This guy is such a homer, but he is even worse when he thinks he's the only one watching the game on the road.

6 on 5 delayed penalty on Roch and the Comets miss-pass and it's stopped by an Amerk for the whistle.

Comets to another PP.

Comets cannot get into the Amerk zone.
Amerks shoot it out.
Period ends on a Clarke shot with :02 seconds left.

2nd period ends
Comets hold a 4-3 lead.
They keep scoring and then giving a goal right back.

It's been that kind of period 6 goals scored 4 by Utuca

SOG:
14-9 Rochester
2-period total 23-21 Utica.

 

[My3Sons]

An Amerk is given a shot on a turnover from the bottom of the circle. Blocked. Rebound shot by the same Amerk and Clarke tips it in.

4-3

The Comets have no idea how to live with prosperity.

Shaya talking about how strong the Comets have been playing defensively. This guy is such a homer, but he is even worse when he thinks he's the only one watching the game on the road.

6 on 5 delayed penalty on Roch and the Comets miss-pass and it's stopped by an Amerk for the whistle.

Comets to another PP.

Comets cannot get into the Amerk zone.
Amerks shoot it out.
Period ends on a Clarke shot with :02 seconds left.

2nd period ends
Comets hols 4-3 lead.
They keep scoring and then giving a goal right back.

SOG:
14-9 Rochester
2-period total 23-21 Utica.

Was Utica playing the swarm system the big club played? If so have they changed it in the past week or so?

 

[Bad Goalie]

Period 3
Rochester will pick it up to get this one at least even.

I sound defeatist, but the Comets have an extremely difficult time holding onto leads. You have seen how hard it's been today.

Kallgren 2 saves and the pressure continues.
Comets seem to have no answer.

Parent a shot, pad save, and the Amerks get it back up the ice.

Desperation sliding blocked shot by Russo.

Hatakka turns it over in the Rochester end and the Amerks are back in. Out . Back in.

Utica back in and can't get a shot to make it to the net.

Amerks in and K holds on.

15:00 to go.

Willman stripped in the Amerks zone.

Comets in possession and the Amerks send it to an open man on the far blueline, he centers a pass to a mate who is ahead of the Comets coming back, and WILLMAN coming back dives to disrupt the shot attempt. Good recovery from his puck loss at the other end.

Comets win the draw and get it up ice. 3 Amerks start out across their blueline but it's misplayed back to the Amerks blue line, Clakre carries it in and his pass is blocked away but it comes to Criscuolo at the top of the left circle and he shoots and ..........................................................................

S________C_________O________R_________E__________S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5-3 Comets!


almost right away the Comets come back with a 2 on 1 and Middendorf fakes a crossice pass and then shoots it past Cooley.

G__________O_________A____________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6-3 Comets!

:31 seconds after the Criscuolo goal.

Cooley is yanked and Tokarski comes on.

Tokarski a save.

Puck is in the Utica zone, but the Comets get it up ice and a shot is deflected out of play.

TV TO
11:38 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

Comets bounce one into Tok and he holds on.

Offsides whistle blown after 2 Comets pass the puck to each other after a 3rd had brought in into the zone. LM must have swallowed his whistle and that's why he couldn't blow it..

Amerks turn it over just outside their end. Criscuolo passes to a naked Clarke at the net front and he >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

S_______________C____________O_____________R____________E_________S!!!

7-3 Cmets!

That was the 3rd time in 3 games Clarke has had that chance all alone looking at the goalie with the puck and he shot it wide the last 2 games.

TV TO
9:19 to go

 

[My3Sons]

Comets bounce one into Tok and he holds on.

Offs8des whistle blown after 2 comets pass the puck to each other after a 3rd entered the zone, LM must have swallowed his whistle.

Amerks turn it over justb outside their end. Criscuolo passes to a naked Clarke at the net front and he >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

S_______________C____________O_____________R____________E_________S!!!

7-3

That was the 3rd time in 3 games he has had that chance all alone with the puck and shot the 1st 2 wide.

TV TO
9:19 to go

Naked?

 

[Bad Goalie]

It's a big lead. Nolan Stevens off for a slash. No penalty is necessary at this point.

Shot off the post. Almost in right from the draw.
Comets shoot it down the ice.
Shot wide.

Comets stationary kill attempt.

Shot over the net and out.

K another big stop. Turnover and another K big stop. Comets get it out and finally all the way down.

Slapper from 10 feet off the left side and K swallows it.

Kill successful thanks to K.

2 on 1 Amerks and K slides across and stops it.

Comets flip it in but it's over the glass.

TV TO
5:12 to go

 

[Bad Goalie]

In games like this the Amerks often go without a goalie with 5 or 6 minutes left.

Maybe not today.

Icing Amerks.

With a big lead Comets keep trying to skate it out, but instead keep turning it over. High school kids know you get the puck out of your zone and deep into the other end. Just flip it the Hell out!

K holds onto the puck as it slides into his crease 2:13 to go.

K a glove save and he holds on.

K gloves another as the Comets are not doing a very good job of clearing the puck out of their zone.

4th line gets it up the ice and keeps it there and Tok has to make a save and covers it, but Stillmam tries to dig it out, LOL.

1 minute to go.

Icing Amerks.

IT's OVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Comets win it 7-3.

Dinner time.
Game summary later.

 

[Forge]

Naked?

Utica is very lax with uniform requirements

 

[Bad Goalie]

2/18/24
Utica Comets @ Rochester Americans

Final Score -

Utica Comets 7 Rochester Americans 3

SOG:
UTC 14 9 10 = 33
ROC 7 14 12 = 33

PP:
UTC - 1/4
ROC - 0/3

Scoring:

Willman (10) From Parent (22) and Dowling (15)
Hatakka (4) From Stevens (10) and Stillman (7)
Misyul (4) From Dowling (16) and Willman (8)
Russo (2) From Stevens (11) and Vilen (14)
Criscuolo (10) From Hatakka (11) and Clarke (18)
Middendorf (3) From Durandeau (13) and Schmelzer (22)
Clarke (19) From Criscuolo (18) and Parent (23)

Kallgren 33 SA / 30 SVs

3 *s
3 Nolan Stevens (Utica Comets) 2A
2 Kyle Criscuolo (Utica Comets) 1G/1A
1 Max Willman (Utica Comets) 1G/1A

Dowling 2A
Parent 2A
Hatakka 1G/1A
Clarke 1G/1A

The Comets game was very disorganized defensively. Kallgren who had been very poor in his previous 11 starts was the main reason this game wasn't a huge number of goals for both teams and Rochester might just have had more. He made a bunch of 10 bell saves. He was left alone on several occasions, but for the most part held the Amerks at bay.

Laval picked up a loser point so the Comets still trail them by 2 points for 6th place. I don't care about any of the other teams who have been inching away from the Comets due to Utica's 3-game losing streak. Got to get out of the basement first before thinking about how many points out of 5th and the playoffs they are at the moment.

Next up is Friday (2/24) at home vs the Syracuse Crunch.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Was Utica playing the swarm system the big club played? If so have they changed it in the past week or so?

There system has been more the 5 guys in the net front dome with one guy going to challenge the puck possessor, but always arrives too late to keep him from moving the puck to another mate. that's the position they take once the opponent wins possession in their end. Otherwise it looks basically like man to man. Either way there are many occasions when the individual Comet fails causing another to abandon his responsibility and as they all try switching up to the most dangerous guy in the offensive press there always seems to be a man wide open.

 

[Devils731]

Send these type of good breaks to the pros.

 

[Forge]

Elite Chase Stillman goal alert

 

[SteveCangialosi123]

 

[Devils731]

Stillman beat the goalie once for his 3 goals.

 

[My3Sons]

Stillman beat the goalie once for his 3 goals.

He’s turning the corner. You are just a hater. After today’s game in NJ I need this so don’t tell me I’m old and senile.

 

[Nubmer6]

After today’s game in NJ I need this so don’t tell me I’m old and senile.

I don't think anyone NEEDS to tell you you're old and senile.

 

[My3Sons]

I don't think anyone NEEDS to tell you you're old and senile.

My kids and even the dogs often feel the need to tell me that.

 

[Nubmer6]

My kids and even the dogs often feel the need to tell me that.

Ah yes. I guess they need to remind you because you forget due to your senility.

 

[Bad Goalie]

Sorry I have been absent with any kind of report from the last 2 Comets games. I have been down and out with the Novovirus 2024. It is running rampant in this area. It knocks you on your ass. Violent emissions from both ends of your body. I don't think you need any more info than that.

I am just getting to the point I can sit up at the PC so I thought I'd just comment on Nolan Foote. The Devils have assigned him to Utica on a conditioning stint. Think he might need one? Hasn't played a game since preseason. Would imagine he is not in very good game ready shape.

I've always been reluctant to welcome such players to the roster. In some cases they take a roster spot from someone who may be busting his hump. For Utica I would assume that's somebody like Middendorf. In this case, Foote when healthy, is the superior player hands down.

However, what I have observed throughout my years is that the superior player puts forth a less then outstanding performance. In fact in some instances they just coast around making sure they won't do anything that might jeopardize their chance to get back up to the show. They can go hard in practice to build up the lungs and leg strength, but games can put that recovery in jeopardy and they won't take that risk. Meaning he is not going to go out of his way to get involved with contact or risk injury in any way. Opponents are not known to take it easy on them nor should they. So the conditioner keeps his eyes open for the guy looking to light him up. He's not really feeling compelled to exert the kind of effort that would actually help his team. It's not an ideal situation for the player or the team he's playing for on the conditioning stint.

We knew Nolan as a guy who was always in on the physical side of the game. I would not expect to see anything of the sort. Some coaches don't give these guys many minutes in order to keep them safe. I would expect Dineen to be very protective.

 

[My3Sons]

Ah yes. I guess they need to remind you because you forget due to your senility.

After yesterday’s game I can argue that’s a good thing.

 

[Satans Hockey]

I haven't paid any attention to the AHL in years but was debating going to Allentown for a game and had no idea that Utica only plays at Allentown 1x a season. Maybe next season lol

 

[Bad Goalie]

I haven't paid any attention to the AHL in years but was debating going to Allentown for a game and had no idea that Utica only plays at Allentown 1x a season. Maybe next season lol

The AHL plays heavily within their own division. The Comets cross over with the teams from the Atlantic Division playing home and homes with 4 of the 8 and double home and homes with 3 others and this season played none vs Charlotte. That's a total of 20 of their 72 games.

The other 52 are within the North Division, but not equally apportioned. Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica are located in close proximity to one another along the NYS Thruway and play each other an inordinate number of times. Rochester and Syracuse play the Comets a total of 26 games. Syr 14 and Roch 12. The other 4 teams in the Division will make up the remaining 26 games. It's ridiculous how the number of games Utica plays vs the teams in it's own Division varies from 4 to 14 and everywhere in between.

Syracuse 14
Rochester 12
Laval 8
Belleville 8
Toronto 6
Cleveland 4

Crossovers with the Atlantic
Providence, Springfield, Bridgeport - 4 each
Hershey, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Hartford Lehigh Valley - 2 each
Charlotte - 0

Do the math and it's 72 games.

 

[Satans Hockey]

The AHL plays heavily within their own division. The Comets cross over with the teams from the Atlantic Division playing home and homes with 4 of the 8 and double home and homes with 3 others and this season played none vs Charlotte. That's a total of 20 of their 72 games.

The other 52 are within the North Division, but not equally apportioned. Rochester, Syracuse, and Utica are located in close proximity to one another along the NYS Thruway and play each other an inordinate number of times. Rochester and Syracuse play the Comets a total of 26 games. Syr 14 and Roch 12. The other 4 teams in the Division will make up the remaining 26 games. It's ridiculous how the number of games Utica plays vs the teams in it's own Division varies from 4 to 14 and everywhere in between.

Syracuse 14
Rochester 12
Laval 8
Belleville 8
Toronto 6
Cleveland 4

Crossovers with the Atlantic
Providence, Springfield, Bridgeport - 4 each
Hershey, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Hartford Lehigh Valley - 2 each
Charlotte - 0

Do the math and it's 72 games.

I haven't been to a game since the Phantoms opening game in Allentown and that was 10 years ago already so quite a lot has changed since then in the league. Thanks for the easy explanation!

I would go a lot more back when the Phantoms played in the Spectrum since it was the closest team and the tickets were cheap. I also miss the days of the Trenton vs Atlantic City rivalry in the ECHL. We went from having a decent amount of teams around here to pretty much nothing minor league wise. Allentown isn't a bad drive for me though, about 80-90 mins.

 

[PizzaAndPucks]

I haven't been to a game since the Phantoms opening game in Allentown and that was 10 years ago already so quite a lot has changed since then in the league. Thanks for the easy explanation!

I would go a lot more back when the Phantoms played in the Spectrum since it was the closest team and the tickets were cheap. I also miss the days of the Trenton vs Atlantic City rivalry in the ECHL. We went from having a decent amount of teams around here to pretty much nothing minor league wise. Allentown isn't a bad drive for me though, about 80-90 mins.

Make the trip to Utica one weekend , it's worth the long drive. Arena is small but nice. Great place to watch hockey. The Comets play in Scranton too before the season ends. I'm probably gonna try to catch that one. 2 hour drive from Hudson Valley/Northern NJ isn't bad , plus you could gamble a bit while you are out there. The arena is at the Mohegan Sun over there.