So, if hockey is in his plans, he signs somewhere. Likely sooner than later. Would guess since NJ was interested he'd feel that offer out first.
Ghantous has better career #s nearly 1 ppg. Shlaine is .63.
Maybe a 2 for 1 LOL.
2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread
- Thread starter NJDevs26
- Start date
Ghantous has better career #s nearly 1 ppg. Shlaine is .63.
Maybe a 2 for 1 LOL.
PizzaAndPucks
New Jersey Angels diehard
- Nov 29, 2018
- 2,986
- 4,802
Utica with a big 4 to 3 shootout win over the current leagues best , the Hershey Bears. That's the 2nd game the Comets beat them in their 2 meetings this season.
3/15/24
Hershey Bears @ Utica Comets
Forwards:
67 Parent/ 26 Schmelzer/ 92 Clarke
15 Gambardella/ 51 Criscuolo/ 24 Halonen
79 Laberge/ 21 Stevens/ 90 Ibragimov
48 Middendorf/ 16 Engaras/ 28 Friedman
D-Pairs:
83 Vilen/ 5 Russo
3 Mackinnon/ 22 Felix
6 osmanski/ 2 Vukojevic
Goal - 1 Poulter
Scratches:
Schmid (BU)
Fitzgerald (H)
Legare (H)
van de Leest (H)
Misyul (Inj)
Dowling (?) 3 games now
Period 1
After a scrum outside the Hershey zone on the right boards the Comets got the puck into the Hershey zone. They took possession deep and moved it to the left boards for a breakout. The Bear who started up the left boards but was intercepted by Middendorf and the puck was scooped up by Friedman who hit Engaras on the fly moving to the left circle. He shot the puck and Shepard made the stop but the rebound came free.
Middendorf, who flew towards the net after Friedman got possession, was engaged by the D-man in front allowing Engaras to follow his shot directly to the rebound which he fired past Shepard who was falling to the ice.
Shepard jumped up and protested to the ref. The reason he was falling on Engaras's shot was because his right leg was kicked out from under him. Turns out his D-man trying to run Middendorf out of the crease was the guy who hit his leg. No goalie interference on that one.
Comets lead it 1-0 at 2:43.
Comets break out 3 on 2 with Clarke in Possession in the middle. They cross into the Hershey zone and Clarke of course never considers a pass all the way up the ice. As the defender closes on him he shoots just inside the top of the left circle. The shot was stopped by Shepard but he gave up a big rebound to right circle and straight to Parent who fired it from the bottom of the circle on his backhand without stopping it. A one timer on the backhand.
2-0 Comets at 6:15. 2 goals on 4 shots! That's a new one. Yeah!
Comets whistled for a penalty at 12:47. Laberge 2 minutes for a Bear stepping on his stick after a puck battle on the boards. ridiculous call.
Comets kill it.
Approaching the Comets most dangerous period of every game. 1 minute left in the period.
Just like it's scripted the Bears score at 19:13. Strome wristed a shot from high above the left circle and Riley Sutter, cutting in front of Poulter, tipped the shot past a helpless Isaac.
Vukojevic let Sutter go by him and was helplessly chasing after as he skated in front of the net all alone and tipped the shot by Isaac, who had no chance.
They just can't seem to help themselves. The last minute of a period are like repetitive nightmares they just can't wake up from until it's too late.
Period ends 2-1 Comets
SOG:
8-6 Utica
Period 2
Comets wasted a PP when Sutter was called for slashing at 3:28. They barely had a whisper of a chance, 1 SOG. As the PP ended the Bears had a 2 on 1 and hit the iron! Then Strome missed putting the puck into the empty side from the doorstep. Big sigh of relief.
Then their bubble just completely burst. Comets were in the Bear zone and as the puck changed hands the Comets D lost track of Lucas Limoges who got behind everybody and took a pass from D-an Johansen who hit him in stride. He crossed the blueline and saketed alone towards Poulter and shot from just inside the left circle and beat Poulter.
2-2 at 8:04
Apparently that wasn't enough to wake them up or maybe put them into a state of shock. If not they and everyone else in the building is one now.
Off the faceoff the puck goes into the Hershey zone. They gather it up. Stevens skating like he's on a leisurely Sunday skate down river has Garrett Roe race past in front of him and his lazy back check would have prevented what would ensue. Roe hit Aaron Ness who proceeded down to the far side of the bottom of the left circle and sends a pass across the net front to Limoges who fires it home from right in front of Poulter in the blue paint.
Russo, Stevens, and Ibragimov were in a line behind Ness and Vilen, who should have had the net front is to the right of the shooter in position withhis stick to block a pass. Unfortunatley he is on the wrong side of him. Moron wasn't even near enough to touch the goal scorer until he is past the crease and the puck has been buried in the net.
2 goals in 24 seconds.
They come right back inand Poulter makes a huge save.
Guess Dineen went to the same timeout school that Lindy Ruff attended.
Officials confer in front of the penalty box. It is gusees they are discussin g if the play was actually offsides and it sure looks close. The AHL doesn't allow for an offsides challenge. The goal stands.
It's now 3-2 Hershey with a little over half a game to go.
Ibragimov gets a centering pass right inthe slot all alone and as he tries to set it up the puck rolls off his stick.
Engaras follows up shortly aftwer with a chance akll alone in front and Shepard appears to have stopped and smothered it, but 2 Bears realize it's not so. One from each side of him slide their sticks behind him to push the loose puck under him.
Comets get a PP with 17:48 to go.
Gamby moving into the low shot and as he is about to shoot he is slashed across the wrist he's in pain. To the PP. 2 shots stopped and the puck is in danger.. Ibragimove fires a hard slapper which is tipped over the crossbar by Schmelzer.
Hershey has #1 PK in the league.
Hershey caklled for hooking. 2-man advantage. Schmelzer wins the draw and thewy work it for a 1-timer by Halonen Great save. Reboubd by Schmelzer and on the ice Shepard stops it with his wrist a with help gets it under his prone body.
Parent gets a shor from the slot and it's stopped but Shepard has to reach behind him to keep it out.
Parnet another chance from the slot and it's deflected over the net as the period ends.
Comets have returned to life.
3-2 Hershey after 2.
SOG:
12-8 Utica
2-period total:
20-14 Utica
Hershey Bears @ Utica Comets
Forwards:
67 Parent/ 26 Schmelzer/ 92 Clarke
15 Gambardella/ 51 Criscuolo/ 24 Halonen
79 Laberge/ 21 Stevens/ 90 Ibragimov
48 Middendorf/ 16 Engaras/ 28 Friedman
D-Pairs:
83 Vilen/ 5 Russo
3 Mackinnon/ 22 Felix
6 osmanski/ 2 Vukojevic
Goal - 1 Poulter
Scratches:
Schmid (BU)
Fitzgerald (H)
Legare (H)
van de Leest (H)
Misyul (Inj)
Dowling (?) 3 games now
Period 1
After a scrum outside the Hershey zone on the right boards the Comets got the puck into the Hershey zone. They took possession deep and moved it to the left boards for a breakout. The Bear who started up the left boards but was intercepted by Middendorf and the puck was scooped up by Friedman who hit Engaras on the fly moving to the left circle. He shot the puck and Shepard made the stop but the rebound came free.
Middendorf, who flew towards the net after Friedman got possession, was engaged by the D-man in front allowing Engaras to follow his shot directly to the rebound which he fired past Shepard who was falling to the ice.
Shepard jumped up and protested to the ref. The reason he was falling on Engaras's shot was because his right leg was kicked out from under him. Turns out his D-man trying to run Middendorf out of the crease was the guy who hit his leg. No goalie interference on that one.
Comets lead it 1-0 at 2:43.
Comets break out 3 on 2 with Clarke in Possession in the middle. They cross into the Hershey zone and Clarke of course never considers a pass all the way up the ice. As the defender closes on him he shoots just inside the top of the left circle. The shot was stopped by Shepard but he gave up a big rebound to right circle and straight to Parent who fired it from the bottom of the circle on his backhand without stopping it. A one timer on the backhand.
2-0 Comets at 6:15. 2 goals on 4 shots! That's a new one. Yeah!
Comets whistled for a penalty at 12:47. Laberge 2 minutes for a Bear stepping on his stick after a puck battle on the boards. ridiculous call.
Comets kill it.
Approaching the Comets most dangerous period of every game. 1 minute left in the period.
Just like it's scripted the Bears score at 19:13. Strome wristed a shot from high above the left circle and Riley Sutter, cutting in front of Poulter, tipped the shot past a helpless Isaac.
Vukojevic let Sutter go by him and was helplessly chasing after as he skated in front of the net all alone and tipped the shot by Isaac, who had no chance.
They just can't seem to help themselves. The last minute of a period are like repetitive nightmares they just can't wake up from until it's too late.
Period ends 2-1 Comets
SOG:
8-6 Utica
Period 2
Comets wasted a PP when Sutter was called for slashing at 3:28. They barely had a whisper of a chance, 1 SOG. As the PP ended the Bears had a 2 on 1 and hit the iron! Then Strome missed putting the puck into the empty side from the doorstep. Big sigh of relief.
Then their bubble just completely burst. Comets were in the Bear zone and as the puck changed hands the Comets D lost track of Lucas Limoges who got behind everybody and took a pass from D-an Johansen who hit him in stride. He crossed the blueline and saketed alone towards Poulter and shot from just inside the left circle and beat Poulter.
2-2 at 8:04
Apparently that wasn't enough to wake them up or maybe put them into a state of shock. If not they and everyone else in the building is one now.
Off the faceoff the puck goes into the Hershey zone. They gather it up. Stevens skating like he's on a leisurely Sunday skate down river has Garrett Roe race past in front of him and his lazy back check would have prevented what would ensue. Roe hit Aaron Ness who proceeded down to the far side of the bottom of the left circle and sends a pass across the net front to Limoges who fires it home from right in front of Poulter in the blue paint.
Russo, Stevens, and Ibragimov were in a line behind Ness and Vilen, who should have had the net front is to the right of the shooter in position withhis stick to block a pass. Unfortunatley he is on the wrong side of him. Moron wasn't even near enough to touch the goal scorer until he is past the crease and the puck has been buried in the net.
2 goals in 24 seconds.
They come right back inand Poulter makes a huge save.
Guess Dineen went to the same timeout school that Lindy Ruff attended.
Officials confer in front of the penalty box. It is gusees they are discussin g if the play was actually offsides and it sure looks close. The AHL doesn't allow for an offsides challenge. The goal stands.
It's now 3-2 Hershey with a little over half a game to go.
Ibragimov gets a centering pass right inthe slot all alone and as he tries to set it up the puck rolls off his stick.
Engaras follows up shortly aftwer with a chance akll alone in front and Shepard appears to have stopped and smothered it, but 2 Bears realize it's not so. One from each side of him slide their sticks behind him to push the loose puck under him.
Comets get a PP with 17:48 to go.
Gamby moving into the low shot and as he is about to shoot he is slashed across the wrist he's in pain. To the PP. 2 shots stopped and the puck is in danger.. Ibragimove fires a hard slapper which is tipped over the crossbar by Schmelzer.
Hershey has #1 PK in the league.
Hershey caklled for hooking. 2-man advantage. Schmelzer wins the draw and thewy work it for a 1-timer by Halonen Great save. Reboubd by Schmelzer and on the ice Shepard stops it with his wrist a with help gets it under his prone body.
Parent gets a shor from the slot and it's stopped but Shepard has to reach behind him to keep it out.
Parnet another chance from the slot and it's deflected over the net as the period ends.
Comets have returned to life.
3-2 Hershey after 2.
SOG:
12-8 Utica
2-period total:
20-14 Utica
Period 3
Comets still on the PP to start the period.
2 bad bounces for the Cometsa results in killing the PP.
Halonen busts in off the left boards, turns at the middle of the circle and goes right across the het front. his shot attempt comes off Shepard and Criscuol follws in and deposits the rebound behind Shepard making this one a TIE GAME!!!!
3-3 at 16:31
Refs moving in to even up the PP count. The Comets got 3 PPs to none for the Bears.
Vilen gets 2 for tripping lamost iommediately after the goal.
2 at 4:03.
Ref's game management. Vilen's call was so so but Russo's puck into the seats was automatic. Comets down 2 men.
Miss on a one-timer.
Try another and whiff and it goes all the way down. Back in and the Comets send it all the way down.
Poulter a stop on a 1-timer.
Now 5 on 4.
A huge save by Poulter after a clean shot from th the low slot.
Maybe 5 feet!
It's over. A GREAT KILL!
Super KUDOS to Poulter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13:11 to go.
Now at 8:24 gets to for Halonen for a very weak cross-checking call.
Comets get it out.
Gamby gets it all the way down.
Cleared again.
It's over and we're even again.
Back and forth. Both teams get chances, but it ends 3-3.
WE"RE GOING TO OT!
OT
Comets lose the draw clean.
Bears a semi-breakaway. Russo on his back. Poulter the save ,and the ref now calls Russo for holding. Never raised his hand until all was done and then he blew the whistle.
4 on 3
It's been all PK since the Comets tied this game. Poulter save and whistle.
Centering pass and Poulter dives out and gloves it!
Comets clear it down off a faceoff win.
Big 1-timer wide.
Big 1-timer over the net and down.
Killed and 4on4
Poulter another big glove save.
Back to 3 on 3.
Halonen leans to the goal and is taken down and wipes out the post. NO CALL!
Comets are abysmal at playing 3e on 3. No plan of any kind.
Best chance by Utica a slot wristerby Halonen and Shepard throws it back into play.
OT is Over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHOOTOUT.
Pierre Dube - Save Poulter
Clarke - Misses the net.
Phillips - Save Poulter
Halonen - Save Shepard
Priskie - Wide
Ibragimov - G________O_________A_________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COMETS WIN! COMETS WIN! COMETS WIN! COMETS WIN!
Comets salute the crowd and then Ibragimov and Poulter after congratulating each other come to center ice alone and the roar is louder.
COMETS 4 Hershey 3 (SO)
Scoring
Engaras (4) from Middendorf (4) and Friedman (1)
Parent (11) from Clarke (21)
Criscuolo (12) from Halonen (7)
GWSOG - Ibragimov
Poulter 22/25 and most were huge stops. No freebie glove grabs on long shots or point shots sliding in after partially being blocked. He was called upon to make big saves 1 after another after another.
I don't know or care who selected the 3 Stars, but they screwed up on this night. The game isn't won without the effort of Isaac.
3 *s
3 - Kyle Criscuolo (Utica Comets) 1G / 1A
2 - Alex Limoges (Hershey Bears) 2G
1 - Timur Ibragimov (Utica Comets) 1G - GWOTG
This team has defeated the AHL's #1 league leading Hershey Bears 2 times in the last 2 weeks. The team they iced tonight had 6 guys who have been playing for Adirondack, a D-man just acquired on game day for future considerations (he was -2 and earned it), and a center acquired from Detroit on waivers while playing (well not actually playing) for AHL Grand Rapids.
That's a ragtag, hodgepodge lineup if there ever was one, but they left everything on the ice and pulled out a win against a team with far better skills and much better systems of attack and defense.
Comets problem is they get up for a team like Hershey, but can't beat the teams they have to beat ahead of them who can't carry Hershey's equipment.
Comets still on the PP to start the period.
2 bad bounces for the Cometsa results in killing the PP.
Halonen busts in off the left boards, turns at the middle of the circle and goes right across the het front. his shot attempt comes off Shepard and Criscuol follws in and deposits the rebound behind Shepard making this one a TIE GAME!!!!
3-3 at 16:31
Refs moving in to even up the PP count. The Comets got 3 PPs to none for the Bears.
Vilen gets 2 for tripping lamost iommediately after the goal.
2 at 4:03.
Ref's game management. Vilen's call was so so but Russo's puck into the seats was automatic. Comets down 2 men.
Miss on a one-timer.
Try another and whiff and it goes all the way down. Back in and the Comets send it all the way down.
Poulter a stop on a 1-timer.
Now 5 on 4.
A huge save by Poulter after a clean shot from th the low slot.
Maybe 5 feet!
It's over. A GREAT KILL!
Super KUDOS to Poulter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13:11 to go.
Now at 8:24 gets to for Halonen for a very weak cross-checking call.
Comets get it out.
Gamby gets it all the way down.
Cleared again.
It's over and we're even again.
Back and forth. Both teams get chances, but it ends 3-3.
WE"RE GOING TO OT!
OT
Comets lose the draw clean.
Bears a semi-breakaway. Russo on his back. Poulter the save ,and the ref now calls Russo for holding. Never raised his hand until all was done and then he blew the whistle.
4 on 3
It's been all PK since the Comets tied this game. Poulter save and whistle.
Centering pass and Poulter dives out and gloves it!
Comets clear it down off a faceoff win.
Big 1-timer wide.
Big 1-timer over the net and down.
Killed and 4on4
Poulter another big glove save.
Back to 3 on 3.
Halonen leans to the goal and is taken down and wipes out the post. NO CALL!
Comets are abysmal at playing 3e on 3. No plan of any kind.
Best chance by Utica a slot wristerby Halonen and Shepard throws it back into play.
OT is Over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SHOOTOUT.
Pierre Dube - Save Poulter
Clarke - Misses the net.
Phillips - Save Poulter
Halonen - Save Shepard
Priskie - Wide
Ibragimov - G________O_________A_________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COMETS WIN! COMETS WIN! COMETS WIN! COMETS WIN!
Comets salute the crowd and then Ibragimov and Poulter after congratulating each other come to center ice alone and the roar is louder.
COMETS 4 Hershey 3 (SO)
Scoring
Engaras (4) from Middendorf (4) and Friedman (1)
Parent (11) from Clarke (21)
Criscuolo (12) from Halonen (7)
GWSOG - Ibragimov
Poulter 22/25 and most were huge stops. No freebie glove grabs on long shots or point shots sliding in after partially being blocked. He was called upon to make big saves 1 after another after another.
I don't know or care who selected the 3 Stars, but they screwed up on this night. The game isn't won without the effort of Isaac.
3 *s
3 - Kyle Criscuolo (Utica Comets) 1G / 1A
2 - Alex Limoges (Hershey Bears) 2G
1 - Timur Ibragimov (Utica Comets) 1G - GWOTG
This team has defeated the AHL's #1 league leading Hershey Bears 2 times in the last 2 weeks. The team they iced tonight had 6 guys who have been playing for Adirondack, a D-man just acquired on game day for future considerations (he was -2 and earned it), and a center acquired from Detroit on waivers while playing (well not actually playing) for AHL Grand Rapids.
That's a ragtag, hodgepodge lineup if there ever was one, but they left everything on the ice and pulled out a win against a team with far better skills and much better systems of attack and defense.
Comets problem is they get up for a team like Hershey, but can't beat the teams they have to beat ahead of them who can't carry Hershey's equipment.
Last edited:
nugg
NJ Hammerhead Bats!
3/16/24
Utica Comets @ Hartford Wolf*Pack
Forwards:
15 Gambardella/ 51 Criscuolo/ 24 Halonen
90 Ibragimov/ 21 Stevens/ 79 Laberge
67 Parent/ 26 Schmelzer / 92 Clarke
48 Middendorf/ 16 Engaras/ 28 Friedman
D-Pairs:
83 Vilen/ 5 Russo
3 MacKinnon/ 22 Felix
6 Osmanski/ 2 Vukojevic/
Goal - 40 Schmid
Scratches:
Kallgren (BU)
Fitzgerald (H)
van de Leest (H)
Legare (H)
Stillman
Dowling (Inj)
Misyul (Inj)
Bowers (LTIR)
Period 1
Laberge some jawing early on.
Schmid fans behind the net, but is rescued from behind.
Riley Nash is a member of the Wolf*Pack. A failed high draft pick.
Comets first shot stopped after 4 minutes.
Puck bounces over the stick of Engaras in front.
Comets to the PK.
Cleared.
Schmelzer shoots SH and Criscuolo tipped it wide.
Shot by Hartford trickles through Schmid who was flattened, but the Wolf was slammed into him by Vukojevic.
Berard 6:57 (PPG)
1-0 Hartford
Criscuolo shoots from the right circle off the keepers right shoulder. Comets first real good chance.
Schmid is very shaky! Fighting the puck.
TV TO
8:16 to go
Schmelzer passes it from the high left boards to Clarke all alone at the right side of the net. He dipsy doodles and for once he got it right___________________________
G_________________O________________A__________L !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clarke at 13:19
1-1
Middendorf gets hit and the Wolf goes down instead and is hurt.
TV TO
4:56 to go
Comets to the PP
Schmelzer the draw and a shot buy Halonen is held.
Wins the draw again.
Long shot blocked and the puck bounces around. Schmelzer picks it up, wacks, and wacks again and it's......................................?
IN!!!!!!!!!!!!
G________________O_______________A__________________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schmelzer 15:25 (PPG)
2-1 Utica
Comets back to another PP. This one went for nothing.
We're inside the last 2 minutes and this is Comets nightmare time again.
Shot - save Schmid
Parent stopped in close.
Clarke in the slot but as always goes for another move and ends up with no shot.
Period ends. this version of the Comets nightmare ends.
2-1 Comets
SOG:
9-4 Comets.
Utica Comets @ Hartford Wolf*Pack
Forwards:
15 Gambardella/ 51 Criscuolo/ 24 Halonen
90 Ibragimov/ 21 Stevens/ 79 Laberge
67 Parent/ 26 Schmelzer / 92 Clarke
48 Middendorf/ 16 Engaras/ 28 Friedman
D-Pairs:
83 Vilen/ 5 Russo
3 MacKinnon/ 22 Felix
6 Osmanski/ 2 Vukojevic/
Goal - 40 Schmid
Scratches:
Kallgren (BU)
Fitzgerald (H)
van de Leest (H)
Legare (H)
Stillman
Dowling (Inj)
Misyul (Inj)
Bowers (LTIR)
Period 1
Laberge some jawing early on.
Schmid fans behind the net, but is rescued from behind.
Riley Nash is a member of the Wolf*Pack. A failed high draft pick.
Comets first shot stopped after 4 minutes.
Puck bounces over the stick of Engaras in front.
Comets to the PK.
Cleared.
Schmelzer shoots SH and Criscuolo tipped it wide.
Shot by Hartford trickles through Schmid who was flattened, but the Wolf was slammed into him by Vukojevic.
Berard 6:57 (PPG)
1-0 Hartford
Criscuolo shoots from the right circle off the keepers right shoulder. Comets first real good chance.
Schmid is very shaky! Fighting the puck.
TV TO
8:16 to go
Schmelzer passes it from the high left boards to Clarke all alone at the right side of the net. He dipsy doodles and for once he got it right___________________________
G_________________O________________A__________L !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Clarke at 13:19
1-1
Middendorf gets hit and the Wolf goes down instead and is hurt.
TV TO
4:56 to go
Comets to the PP
Schmelzer the draw and a shot buy Halonen is held.
Wins the draw again.
Long shot blocked and the puck bounces around. Schmelzer picks it up, wacks, and wacks again and it's......................................?
IN!!!!!!!!!!!!
G________________O_______________A__________________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schmelzer 15:25 (PPG)
2-1 Utica
Comets back to another PP. This one went for nothing.
We're inside the last 2 minutes and this is Comets nightmare time again.
Shot - save Schmid
Parent stopped in close.
Clarke in the slot but as always goes for another move and ends up with no shot.
Period ends. this version of the Comets nightmare ends.
2-1 Comets
SOG:
9-4 Comets.
Last edited:
Period 2
Felix is boarded behind his net. He's hurt.
Comets to the PP again.
Vilen shot blocked and sent down.
Russo wrister out of play. Comets are not moving the puck at all as they are also not moving.
Halonen 1-timer over the net.
Schmelzer all alone in front and his 1-timer attempt fails as his stick just shatters.
Comets too many men.
Comets clear.
Stevens could have had a breakaway but he is so slow the goalie came out and beat him to it.
Comets clear it down the ice and it's over.
Comets break out and get a good shot by Stevens and the rebound is scooped up.
Schmid glove save that rolls off to the corner. This guy cannot catch a puck. Should not draft goalies who didn't play baseball. LOL
TV TO
13:26 to go
Vilen shot deflected out.
Felix shot kicked wide.
Pack have a break and the pass to the open guy is too hot to handle.
Hartford ices it.
Vuk down the middle and his shot from the slot is stopped.
2 shots from down low blocked by Comets.
Offsides Wolf Pack
TV TO
9:31 to go
Comets break in and Clarke shoots from the high slot and Schmelzer driving to the net tips it in.
G_________________O__________________A_______________________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schmelzer 12:59
Utica goes up 3-1
Delayed call coming against the Comets and they score. Shot goes right through Schmid. He just sucks now. That was not a shot that should have scored.
3-2 Comets now.
Shaya just can't keep from running his mouth. Comets scored and he said "It's all Comets folks the cushion makes them feel a lot better. 1:04 later and it's 3-2.
Halonen off the left circle and hits the post and out.
TV TO again!
4:22 to go
Comets point shot is smothered.
Schmid made a great save. He is night and day from shot to shot. Shaya gives it the "Shot of the Game".
We are into the nightmare zone again.
Schmelzer shot out of play.
Period ends with 2 Comets holding the puck on the boards vs 2 Wolf*Pack players until the clock runs out.
End of 2 periods
3-2 Comets
SOG:
9-6 Comets
2-period total:
18-10 Utica
Felix is boarded behind his net. He's hurt.
Comets to the PP again.
Vilen shot blocked and sent down.
Russo wrister out of play. Comets are not moving the puck at all as they are also not moving.
Halonen 1-timer over the net.
Schmelzer all alone in front and his 1-timer attempt fails as his stick just shatters.
Comets too many men.
Comets clear.
Stevens could have had a breakaway but he is so slow the goalie came out and beat him to it.
Comets clear it down the ice and it's over.
Comets break out and get a good shot by Stevens and the rebound is scooped up.
Schmid glove save that rolls off to the corner. This guy cannot catch a puck. Should not draft goalies who didn't play baseball. LOL
TV TO
13:26 to go
Vilen shot deflected out.
Felix shot kicked wide.
Pack have a break and the pass to the open guy is too hot to handle.
Hartford ices it.
Vuk down the middle and his shot from the slot is stopped.
2 shots from down low blocked by Comets.
Offsides Wolf Pack
TV TO
9:31 to go
Comets break in and Clarke shoots from the high slot and Schmelzer driving to the net tips it in.
G_________________O__________________A_______________________L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Schmelzer 12:59
Utica goes up 3-1
Delayed call coming against the Comets and they score. Shot goes right through Schmid. He just sucks now. That was not a shot that should have scored.
3-2 Comets now.
Shaya just can't keep from running his mouth. Comets scored and he said "It's all Comets folks the cushion makes them feel a lot better. 1:04 later and it's 3-2.
Halonen off the left circle and hits the post and out.
TV TO again!
4:22 to go
Comets point shot is smothered.
Schmid made a great save. He is night and day from shot to shot. Shaya gives it the "Shot of the Game".
We are into the nightmare zone again.
Schmelzer shot out of play.
Period ends with 2 Comets holding the puck on the boards vs 2 Wolf*Pack players until the clock runs out.
End of 2 periods
3-2 Comets
SOG:
9-6 Comets
2-period total:
18-10 Utica
Last edited:
Felix has not returned for the 3rd.
Comets to the PK
Ibragimov 2 for hooking
1 timer blocked
Comets clear it down.
Comets crumbling and Schmid holds on after 5 or 6 efforts that didn't get through.
Comets clear after the draw.
5 on 5
Schmid a great extended right leg save.
Comets right back to the PK
Gambardella for slashing
This game is really anybody's with the sudden new birth of Hartford since the opening faceoff of this period.
2 more in close stops by Akira.
Comets get it out.
Get it out again.
Schmid a stop on a give and go
Russo had a chance for a breakaway, but he is too slow and gets caught from behind after crossing into the Hartford zone.
Comets have to stop trying to hold the lead and get to playing hockey again. Hartford could do nothing until Utica scored the 3rd goal and sat back. This period has been all Hartford vs Schmid.
TV TO
11:54 to go
Osmanski is just terrible and he is one of the 5 Comets they have to keep cycling. If they have to give up futures for him, the best I would give up is a bag of pucks.
Comets score and it's 4-2.
Maybe.
Criscuolo bowled in from the left side. Went directly to the net and it ended up in the net, but it's under review and a I don't think it will count. The net came off and Kyle put it in after the post was dislodged.
It was waved off. It's the right call.
TV TO
9:08 to go
Comets on the PP. Tipping against Criscuolo which led to the pileup in the crease.
2 1-timers by Halonen and it's finally cleared out.
They're back in.
Vilen flubs a 1-timer from the point and Hartford brings it up the ice killing time. 1-timers from the point are extremely dangerous. If you whiff, it's a breakaway or penalty for tripping the guy going by.
6:01 to go as Hartford is offsides.
Criscuolo shoots. Stopped.
Schmid a stop and smothers it.
TV TO
5:32 to go.
Faceoff in the Comets end.
When does the next Comets penalty come?
Osmanski flubs a clearing pass. HE SUCKS! Smarten up Dineen. Rotate 2 pairs to the end.
Lindbom gloves and holds.
Osmanski almost falls down on his face just shooting the puck back in.
2:45 to go.
Get the puck out and then dump it in.
Gamby in and trying to wrap it around but he is ridden off.
Schmid holds on in a net front pileup.
Hartford net empty and they call time out with 1:41 to go.
Get it out but don't ice it on purpose if you can avoid it .We are not good on faceoffs. Comets get it off the glass and Criscuolo picks up outside the blueline carries it through the neutral zone and into the Hartford end to the circle and?
...................................SCORES.............................................
ENG by Criscuolo 18:29
4-2 Comets
Hartford net still empty with :55 to go.
Schmid a big stop with a huge rebound, but a Comet clears it away. They bring it up the ice. Keep it in the Hartford end.
It's over.
The Comets Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4-2 final
Shaya's last words, "The Comets continue to scratch and claw their way up the standings." I'll give him they are scratching and clawing, but just to stay alive by the slimmest of hopes as every team in front of them also continues to win.
They won their last 2 games and remain exactly where they were.
Laval won.
Toronto won.
Belleville won
Utica is still in last place.
Game Recap
Utica Comets 4 Hartford Wolf*Pack 2
SOG:
UTC 9 9 10 = 28
HFD 4 6 9 = 19
PP
UTC 1/4
HFD 1/4
Scoring
Clarke (21) from Schmelzer (27) and Russo (16)
Schmelzer (15) from Russo (17) and Halonen (8) PP
Schmelzer (16) from Clarke (22) and MacKinnon (3)
Criscuolo (13) from Russo (18) and Schmelzer (28) EN
Schmid 17/19
After a real shaky start Schmid made some really tough saves and kept them in this one until they decided to pick it up and play 2-way hockey again.
Felix went down and Osmanski was a nightmare. He played as if he was skating on eggs. He was so nervous his passes had nothing on them. He was almost falling down anytime he had to handle a pass while moving backwards. He was out of position on multiple occasions. There's a huge reason Springfield only gave him 10 games and I don't think he had an injury, at least I can't find any evidence of it.
Comets to the PK
Ibragimov 2 for hooking
1 timer blocked
Comets clear it down.
Comets crumbling and Schmid holds on after 5 or 6 efforts that didn't get through.
Comets clear after the draw.
5 on 5
Schmid a great extended right leg save.
Comets right back to the PK
Gambardella for slashing
This game is really anybody's with the sudden new birth of Hartford since the opening faceoff of this period.
2 more in close stops by Akira.
Comets get it out.
Get it out again.
Schmid a stop on a give and go
Russo had a chance for a breakaway, but he is too slow and gets caught from behind after crossing into the Hartford zone.
Comets have to stop trying to hold the lead and get to playing hockey again. Hartford could do nothing until Utica scored the 3rd goal and sat back. This period has been all Hartford vs Schmid.
TV TO
11:54 to go
Osmanski is just terrible and he is one of the 5 Comets they have to keep cycling. If they have to give up futures for him, the best I would give up is a bag of pucks.
Comets score and it's 4-2.
Maybe.
Criscuolo bowled in from the left side. Went directly to the net and it ended up in the net, but it's under review and a I don't think it will count. The net came off and Kyle put it in after the post was dislodged.
It was waved off. It's the right call.
TV TO
9:08 to go
Comets on the PP. Tipping against Criscuolo which led to the pileup in the crease.
2 1-timers by Halonen and it's finally cleared out.
They're back in.
Vilen flubs a 1-timer from the point and Hartford brings it up the ice killing time. 1-timers from the point are extremely dangerous. If you whiff, it's a breakaway or penalty for tripping the guy going by.
6:01 to go as Hartford is offsides.
Criscuolo shoots. Stopped.
Schmid a stop and smothers it.
TV TO
5:32 to go.
Faceoff in the Comets end.
When does the next Comets penalty come?
Osmanski flubs a clearing pass. HE SUCKS! Smarten up Dineen. Rotate 2 pairs to the end.
Lindbom gloves and holds.
Osmanski almost falls down on his face just shooting the puck back in.
2:45 to go.
Get the puck out and then dump it in.
Gamby in and trying to wrap it around but he is ridden off.
Schmid holds on in a net front pileup.
Hartford net empty and they call time out with 1:41 to go.
Get it out but don't ice it on purpose if you can avoid it .We are not good on faceoffs. Comets get it off the glass and Criscuolo picks up outside the blueline carries it through the neutral zone and into the Hartford end to the circle and?
...................................SCORES.............................................
ENG by Criscuolo 18:29
4-2 Comets
Hartford net still empty with :55 to go.
Schmid a big stop with a huge rebound, but a Comet clears it away. They bring it up the ice. Keep it in the Hartford end.
It's over.
The Comets Win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4-2 final
Shaya's last words, "The Comets continue to scratch and claw their way up the standings." I'll give him they are scratching and clawing, but just to stay alive by the slimmest of hopes as every team in front of them also continues to win.
They won their last 2 games and remain exactly where they were.
Laval won.
Toronto won.
Belleville won
Utica is still in last place.
Game Recap
Utica Comets 4 Hartford Wolf*Pack 2
SOG:
UTC 9 9 10 = 28
HFD 4 6 9 = 19
PP
UTC 1/4
HFD 1/4
Scoring
Clarke (21) from Schmelzer (27) and Russo (16)
Schmelzer (15) from Russo (17) and Halonen (8) PP
Schmelzer (16) from Clarke (22) and MacKinnon (3)
Criscuolo (13) from Russo (18) and Schmelzer (28) EN
Schmid 17/19
After a real shaky start Schmid made some really tough saves and kept them in this one until they decided to pick it up and play 2-way hockey again.
Felix went down and Osmanski was a nightmare. He played as if he was skating on eggs. He was so nervous his passes had nothing on them. He was almost falling down anytime he had to handle a pass while moving backwards. He was out of position on multiple occasions. There's a huge reason Springfield only gave him 10 games and I don't think he had an injury, at least I can't find any evidence of it.
Nope, and no one is telling us why he's out either.
Last edited:
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,874
- 51,330
Andre Ghantous got his 1st pro goal today in his 2nd game with Adirondack and has 4 points in his first two games. Go Andre Go!
FRIDAY
Good News: Andre the Giant got 2 assists, 1 primary, on Friday in the Adirondack game @Maine in his first pro game.
Bad News: Thunder lost 2-6 vs the Mariners
Played on the top line
And he did a lot of work on his primary assist.
Oh and he had a team leading 8 (!) shots, out of a team total of 42 SOG.
The ECHL’s Play By Play separates shots by “Quality on Net” and “Non-Quality on Net”. Ghantous had 4 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 8.
Team had 15 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 42.
(Not exactly sure what the definition of this is here, sorry.)
SATURDAY
Tonight in Worcester, Ghantous was again on the top line and this time the good guys beat the Railers 5-1*. Andre the Giant had 1G 1A.
*sorry, I mean the St Railers.
AG sniped with his first goal (2-1)
Awkward camera work, but here’s Ghantous’ primary assist on the next goal (3-1)
Ghantous only had a mere team-leading 5 shots on goal, out of a team total of 26 SOG.
He had 4 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 5.
Team had 16 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 26.
FRIDAY
Good News: Andre the Giant got 2 assists, 1 primary, on Friday in the Adirondack game @Maine in his first pro game.
Bad News: Thunder lost 2-6 vs the Mariners
Played on the top line
And he did a lot of work on his primary assist.
Oh and he had a team leading 8 (!) shots, out of a team total of 42 SOG.
The ECHL’s Play By Play separates shots by “Quality on Net” and “Non-Quality on Net”. Ghantous had 4 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 8.
Team had 15 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 42.
(Not exactly sure what the definition of this is here, sorry.)
SATURDAY
Tonight in Worcester, Ghantous was again on the top line and this time the good guys beat the Railers 5-1*. Andre the Giant had 1G 1A.
*sorry, I mean the St Railers.
AG sniped with his first goal (2-1)
Awkward camera work, but here’s Ghantous’ primary assist on the next goal (3-1)
Ghantous only had a mere team-leading 5 shots on goal, out of a team total of 26 SOG.
He had 4 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 5.
Team had 16 “Quality on Net” shots, out of 26.
Time to extend the PTO and bring him up. Comets need more scoring and it appears this kid knows how.
Heard anything on Shlaine?
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,874
- 51,330
Well the Thunder just signed another Northern Michigan player so hopefully Shlaine wants in on the reunion.
Mike Van Unen (25, LHD)
Elite Prospects page
Here’s a short highlight video of Van Unen. (Not aggressively recommending a watch, more posting this because I found it. He hits guys, rock song, etc)
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,874
- 51,330
UticaHockey
Registered User
Maybe Fitz should have traded for a couple more goalies so each team could have five. What a self induced cluster buck. It is not fair to Poulter who by any measuring stick has been the best goalie in Utica and it's not even close.
Daws has been the best goalie in Utica, but he's only played 3 games. Poulter got his ELC, he'll be fine, neither Schmid nor Daws belong in the NHL right now.
UticaHockey
Registered User
Daws had such limited playing time in Utica it makes it hard to compare. I agree that Nico is a welcome addition. The stat that jumps out to me is Poulter is 17-8-1 while all other Comets goalies are a combined 9-16-3. Poulter just wins games for a team that would be deep in the basement without him. Those numbers are significant because we are towards the end of the season so everything had a chance to even out. The kid is good and has been good all season long.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,874
- 51,330
Adirondack signed a guy. Hey, he’s listed as a center!
And he played LW at Merrimack. Sigh.
Mac Welsher
Ignore the headline because he's hardly a "top NHL prospect" but it looks like we tried to sign someone to ECHL or AHL contract and he wanted an NHL contract:
www.hockeyunplugged.com
Top NHL Prospect Refuses To Sign With The New Jersey Devils
Top NHL prospect, a member of the Cree First Nation, made headlines by declining a contract offer from the New Jersey Devils.
www.hockeyunplugged.com
Couldn't agree with you more. They gave the kid a contract because he was playing so well. He did nothing more than prove he was more than worthy.
Currently Isaac has the 14th best GAA in the AHL, 2.55. Of those 14, 3 are no longer in the AHL. Levi, 2.52 is in the NHL with Buffalo. Dustin Wolf, 2.43 is in the NHL with Calgary. Poulter has been demoted to the ECHL. Seems preposterous.
Only 2 goalies have more than Poulter's 4 shutouts, Yaraslov Askarov of Milwaukee (Round 1, #11 OA Nashville) with 5 and Clay Stevenson of AHL #1 Hershey (Washington) with 7.
Poulter is with some elite company and gets treated like the stepchild. Too bad really. Interesting that they will carry 3 goalies and the 3rd is Kallgren. Kallgren likely won't see game ice again. Poulter goes down so he can play, but will he displace a guy who has been key in their run this season which has been real good? Marty's son?
Because NJ didn't get what they needed last summer, they now have a logjam at Goalie. If Fitz gets his "big fish" this summer, Daws and Schmid are destined to be the 1A/1B in Utica. That leaves Poulter on a 2-way NHL deal going to the level 3 in Adirondack. That's a pretty depressing place to be for a guy who has already been 1 of the AHL's best keepers.
IF NJ has a "big fish" and Allen lives up to his end of the bargain, one of Daws or Schmid ends up the 1st callup, but tneither can stay long or they will have to clear waivers to go back down. That leaves ECHL Poulter as a callup with no waiver worries., but with only ECHL experience for the season. I would say NJ looks at this as good situation to be in.
Poulter will have just turned 23 in September. 2nd yr of his 2-yr ELC.
Akira Schmid will be 24 all season. Is a RFA, needs a contract.
Nico Daws will turn 24 in December. Is a RFA, needs a contract.
That's 3 keepers basically the same age.
Sitting in the weeds:
Tyler Brennan will have just turned 21 in September. Has 2 Yrs remaining on his ELC.
Jakub Malek will be 22 most of the season. Has yet to sign, but must do so by 6/1/2025.
New Jersey will go from no goalies to 7 in a flash. I have a feeling that Schmid has moved himself down the ladder with his play in NJ having been surpassed by Daws, who NJ had originally pinned their hopes on.
Wth the rise of Poulter, Schmid could be a piece going back in the deal for the "big fish". Allen's contract runs out in 2025. That would leave Daws and Poulter in Utica, Brennan in ECHL Adirondack, and Malek an end of the season signing in 2025.
2025 would be "Big Fish/Daws in NJ.
Poulter/Malek in Utica.
Brennan #1 in Adirondack.
The perfect line of succession.
I'm not the GM, but with the logjam he's got, after the "big fish" acquisition 1 move makes the whole thing very clear. The right "1 move" is what TF gets paid for.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,874
- 51,330
Ignore the headline because he's hardly a "top NHL prospect" but it looks like we tried to sign someone to ECHL or AHL contract and he wanted an NHL contract:
Top NHL Prospect Refuses To Sign With The New Jersey Devils
Top NHL prospect, a member of the Cree First Nation, made headlines by declining a contract offer from the New Jersey Devils.
Did AI write this “article”? (That’s a rhetorical question and the answer is yes.)
Just love how bottom feeder content articles are now both badly written and sound like they’re from robots from outer space.
That AI article links to this article
Israel Mianscum refuse un contrat des Devils du New Jersey
L'attaquant du Phoenix de Sherrbrooke recherche un contrat d'entrée dans la LNH.
www.lavoixdelest.ca
We might have offered him the same deal we gave Parent, which was a 2 year two-way minor league deal. That did allow the team to send him to the ECHL. (So does a ELC but that’s a guaranteed contract, he should want that more.)
Anyhoo, Mianscum is 7th, of the 20 skaters on Elite Prospects CHL Free Agency Guide.
The EP Rinkside 2024 CHL Free Agency Guide
Mitch Brown, Greg Balloch, and Lauren Kelly team up to break down this year's best offerings in CHL free agency with scouting reports, tools grades, and player rankings.
eprinkside.com
Last edited:
Guadana
Registered User
Why you didn’t post it in main topic. It could be minor but important sign. At least we have some hope for center depth.Did AI write this “article”? (That’s a rhetorical question and the answer is yes.)
Just love how bottom feeder content articles are now both badly written and sound like they’re from robots from outer space.
That AI article links to this article
but doesn’t quote from it at all, so here’s some Google Translate from it, this contains actual info:Israel Mianscum refuse un contrat des Devils du New Jersey
L'attaquant du Phoenix de Sherrbrooke recherche un contrat d'entrée dans la LNH.www.lavoixdelest.ca
We might have offered him the same deal we gave Parent, which was a 2 year two-way minor league deal. That did allow the team to send him to the ECHL. (So does a ELC but that’s a guaranteed contract, he should want that more.)
Anyhoo, Mianscum is 7th, of the 20 skaters on Elite Prospects CHL Free Agency Guide.
The EP Rinkside 2024 CHL Free Agency Guide
Mitch Brown, Greg Balloch, and Lauren Kelly team up to break down this year's best offerings in CHL free agency with scouting reports, tools grades, and player rankings.
Because he wants an NHL 2-way like they gave Hanolen not the AHL 2-way that Parent and Poulter were signed for. Poulter proved himself worthy of more this season and was signed to an NHL 2-way on Feb. 15.
Of course as Schmid and Daws approached waiver issues the Devils needed a Goalie capable of recall. They had no faith in Kallgren so upped Poulter'd status should it be necessary to bring up a goalie to save Daws and Schmid from having to be waived or in case 1 of them should be injured.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,874
- 51,330
Poulter signed June 24, 2022, before rookie camp.
Parent signed in July 18, 2022, after rookie camp.
The AHL contracts aren’t guaranteed like the ELCs, I’d want that too, but not sure he gets one.
The problem we have is a handful of other teams attract the top FAs ever year. Not making excuses for that, we need to try to improve our recruiting, but that’s just how it is right now.
AHL deals from teams like Dallas, Boston, Toronto, Washington, the NY Rangers, etc can get some of the top FAs.
Boston just grabbed one of the top NCAA goalies with an AHL deal because they do that just about every year.
I have no idea if these NCAA UFAs have agents or not but signing with your favorite team might not be in your best interest if another team has a better opportunity. Right now I guess Boston is a good place to sign as a goalie since they are about to jettison one but the road to starting there is going to be a long one most likely. Realistically you can make a chance for yourself if you are good enough with any team but I wouldn't sign with NJ right now if I was a left handed defense prospect for example. Just so many lefties in the pipeline already. But as a center? Maybe the best landing spot in the league. Relatively straight path to the NHL. Especially if you have some size and grit and can play well defensively.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,874
- 51,330
The best way to know why these teams get chosen is have players & agents say why, but teams like Dallas, Pittsburgh, Washington, Boston, etc attract FAs because their minor league systems are incredibly well run. Just the cream of the crop.
Players might want to live in certain areas more than others but spending on your minors attracts more FAs.
Toronto is basically overflowing with FAs because they famously spend a lot on player development and those players have a lot resources. And they get to live in Toronto if they make the AHL team.
I have to think having a reputation for developing undrafted players and turning them into NHL players helps too. Nashville and Columbus sign a lot guys. The Florida teams get a lot of guys.
I don’t know what the exact quote was but I remember a player at this year’s development camp saying they had way more resources/ player development staff this time to work with the players. That’s what you need, you have to recruit these guys.
