- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,871
- 51,306
With their 5-4 OT win tonight the Thunder are North Division Champs!
Now it’s time to take the Eastern Conference!
42-18-10
Now it’s time to take the Eastern Conference!
42-18-10
2023-24 Utica Comets and ECHL thread
- Thread starter NJDevs26
- Start date
Period 3
Providence picks up goal #4 at 4:39.
Steen at 4:39
4-1 Bruins
Russo wires 1 from the point with Dowling cutting in front and Halonen being tied up in front. The puck was tipped by Halonen and it's I--------N---N----N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goal by Halonen at 9:56
4-2 Bruins
Stevens gets a solo shot all alone right in the slot and his shot is directly into Bussi's midsection.
Comets get a PP. Walsh throws the puck into the seats. 2 for delay of game at 14:42. Comets need to strike quick on this PP.
Halonen stopped on 1-timer from the left circle.
Dowling stopped on a shot from the bottom of the right circle
Halonen stopped on another 1-timer from the same left circle
Bussi is standing on his head.
G--------------O-------------A------------L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dowling a 1-timer from the right circle.
Dowling PPG at 15:06
Bruins 4-3
It's not over yet! 4:54 to go.
STEVENS hits the POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
2:21 to go Dineen pulls Daws.
Dowling sends a pass through the goal mouth from the right corner on the goalline. Halonen is right there at the bottom of the left circle and he 1-times the pass at the net and ----------
---------S________C________O_________R_________E__________S!!!!!
It's 4-4 with 1:53 to go in regulation.
We are all tied up.
Halonen at 18:08
4-4
This one is going to OT!!!!!!!!!!!!
End of regulation 4-4
SOG:
29-23 Utica
Comets to 72 tied with Laval.
Belleville beat Rochester
OT
Comets 3 on 1 and Criscuolo can't make up his mind and eventually whiffs on his shot. That was the game.
Schmelzer in and sends it intoi the slot and Villen's shot is stopped.
Comets call TO
Patrick Brown scores at 3:10 on a 3 on 2.
The Comets lose it 5-4, but do pick up a point.
Providence picks up goal #4 at 4:39.
Steen at 4:39
4-1 Bruins
Russo wires 1 from the point with Dowling cutting in front and Halonen being tied up in front. The puck was tipped by Halonen and it's I--------N---N----N !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Goal by Halonen at 9:56
4-2 Bruins
Stevens gets a solo shot all alone right in the slot and his shot is directly into Bussi's midsection.
Comets get a PP. Walsh throws the puck into the seats. 2 for delay of game at 14:42. Comets need to strike quick on this PP.
Halonen stopped on 1-timer from the left circle.
Dowling stopped on a shot from the bottom of the right circle
Halonen stopped on another 1-timer from the same left circle
Bussi is standing on his head.
G--------------O-------------A------------L!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dowling a 1-timer from the right circle.
Dowling PPG at 15:06
Bruins 4-3
It's not over yet! 4:54 to go.
STEVENS hits the POST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
2:21 to go Dineen pulls Daws.
Dowling sends a pass through the goal mouth from the right corner on the goalline. Halonen is right there at the bottom of the left circle and he 1-times the pass at the net and ----------
---------S________C________O_________R_________E__________S!!!!!
It's 4-4 with 1:53 to go in regulation.
We are all tied up.
Halonen at 18:08
4-4
This one is going to OT!!!!!!!!!!!!
End of regulation 4-4
SOG:
29-23 Utica
Comets to 72 tied with Laval.
Belleville beat Rochester
OT
Comets 3 on 1 and Criscuolo can't make up his mind and eventually whiffs on his shot. That was the game.
Schmelzer in and sends it intoi the slot and Villen's shot is stopped.
Comets call TO
Patrick Brown scores at 3:10 on a 3 on 2.
The Comets lose it 5-4, but do pick up a point.
PizzaAndPucks
New Jersey Angels diehard
- Nov 29, 2018
- 2,986
- 4,802
That 1 point from the OT loss could be a difference maker for getting into the playoffs. Certainly better than a regulation loss.
UticaHockey
Registered User
The comeback from a 4 - 1 deficit showed some heart but the Comets post season hopes are fading away. They entered the night 3 points out with 5 games left and ended the night 4 points out with just 4 games remaining.
The biggest problem is that Laval plays Belleville in the last 2 games for both of them. Based upon what happens before that the 2 of them may just be in position to determine the final playoff spot between themselves.
Belleville 4 GR - max 8 Pts > 84
Comets 4 GR - max 8 Pts > 80
Laval 3 GR - max 6 Pts > 78
Laval has Cleveland tonight and Belleville twice next weekend. Belleville has to lose out for Laval to get in.
Belleville needs 5 points to eliminate the Comets.
The Comets simply can't lose and have to hope Belleville does.
Of the 3 I'd prefer to be in Belleville's spot.
Laval is grasping at straws.
The Comets are on the thinnest of ice and are scheduled to play 4 games vs competition they struggle with and are without Gambardella, Willman, Stillman, and Clarke. When the Comets HAVE to put Fitzgerald in the lineup you know how just how shorthanded they are.
My prediction is Belleville takes the 5th and final spot.
Utica will struggle just to finish out of the basement.
Oh, would I love to be proven wrong!
Last edited:
4/13/24
Utica Comets @ Providence Bruins
Forwards:
67 Parent/ 26 Schmelzer/ 51 Criscuolo
24 Halonen/ 10 Dowling/ 11 Legare
79 Laberge/ 21 Stevens/ 12 Ghantous
48 Middendorf/ 16 Engaras/ 37 Wendt
D-pairs:
83 Vilen/ 5 Russo
3 MacKinnon/ 23 Wotherspoon
93 Misyul / 8 Hatakka
Goal - 40 Schmid
Scratches:
Daws (BU)
Kallgren (H)
Vukojevic (H)
Felix (H)
Osmanski (H)
Fitzgerald (H)
Gambardella (Inj)
Willman (INJ)
Stillman (INJ)
Just as a big plus, the Rochester Americans have a 6-0 lead over the Bellviolle Senators. The Comets have their season right in their lap going into this one today.
The anthem singer is absolutely atrocious.
Utica Comets @ Providence Bruins
Forwards:
67 Parent/ 26 Schmelzer/ 51 Criscuolo
24 Halonen/ 10 Dowling/ 11 Legare
79 Laberge/ 21 Stevens/ 12 Ghantous
48 Middendorf/ 16 Engaras/ 37 Wendt
D-pairs:
83 Vilen/ 5 Russo
3 MacKinnon/ 23 Wotherspoon
93 Misyul / 8 Hatakka
Goal - 40 Schmid
Scratches:
Daws (BU)
Kallgren (H)
Vukojevic (H)
Felix (H)
Osmanski (H)
Fitzgerald (H)
Gambardella (Inj)
Willman (INJ)
Stillman (INJ)
Just as a big plus, the Rochester Americans have a 6-0 lead over the Bellviolle Senators. The Comets have their season right in their lap going into this one today.
The anthem singer is absolutely atrocious.
Period 1
Former Comet Michael DiPietro is in net for the Bruins tonight.
2 stops by Mikey.
Criscuolo a shot and DiPe stops it.
Another stop by DiPe and he lays out on top of it for a whistle.
L A B E R G E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Picks up ta loose puck to the left of DiPe and S_C_O_R_E_S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laberge at 6:02
1-0 Utica
When watching the Comets never get too high. Following their goal it's been all Providence.
Vilen shoots the puck from the corner to the front of Schmid's right post. Surprised Schmid tips it with his stick but it goes right to the low slot directly in front of him where Merkulov is sitting all alone and fires it right back past him.
1:33 after Utica scored they GIVE the Bruins the tie goal. Vilen has been putting up a lot of points but his play in his own zone has been very weak in the past month or more. Lots of turnovers.
Merkulov at 7:33
1-1
Now the Comets go to the PK. Middendorf 2 for slashing.
The Comets are a very fragile team and the momentum shifts for them with every negative or positive event.
Halonen has a SH break and DiPe stops him and holds on. Bruins giveaway, a DiPe stop, and another whistle.
Comets just cannot play smart hockey. They refuse to play the body and thus are always reaching, grabbing, and poking and hooking with their sticks creating penalties for themselves. Engaras gets 2 for slashing while penalty killing.
Short 5 on 3 and the Comets get it out and down the ice and the 5 on 3 becomes another 5 on 4.
Comets send it down the ice. The Comets have played the better hockey, but their mistakes and lazy play defensively has allowed the Bruins to challenge.
The Bruins now to the box and we are 4 on 4 and soon the Comets will get a short 5 on 4.
Comets now to the PP. Turn it over. A Bruin skates it up the ice and then reverses direction. Then they shoot it down the ice.
Comets back in. Pass to Dowling at the poiint from the corner hits off his stick and out. They bring it back in and Dowling is stopped.
Wotherspoon is an idiot! He gets the puck in the slot, but he fiddles with it looking for a better option and gets it taken away. If he shoots, maybe the Comets get the rebound and who knows. He is always looking to shoot and takes an eternity while the opponent lines up to take away evry option. His shot is terrible and he misses the net more often than not. His shot often ends up being a change of possession and the opponent going the other way.
Wouldn't be sorry to see the Devils cut ties with him next season.
Bruins into the Comets end and Schmid makes a big stop on Prov.'s best chance of the period.
TV TO 4:21 to go.
Comets into their doomsday time, 2 minutes left in the period.
Both teams failing to make more than 1 pass before change of possession.
1 minute to go.
Icing Prov.
Halonen has a 1 timer from the faceoff go off the heel of his stick.
Period ends
1-1
SOG:
9-6 Comets
Former Comet Michael DiPietro is in net for the Bruins tonight.
2 stops by Mikey.
Criscuolo a shot and DiPe stops it.
Another stop by DiPe and he lays out on top of it for a whistle.
L A B E R G E!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Picks up ta loose puck to the left of DiPe and S_C_O_R_E_S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laberge at 6:02
1-0 Utica
When watching the Comets never get too high. Following their goal it's been all Providence.
Vilen shoots the puck from the corner to the front of Schmid's right post. Surprised Schmid tips it with his stick but it goes right to the low slot directly in front of him where Merkulov is sitting all alone and fires it right back past him.
1:33 after Utica scored they GIVE the Bruins the tie goal. Vilen has been putting up a lot of points but his play in his own zone has been very weak in the past month or more. Lots of turnovers.
Merkulov at 7:33
1-1
Now the Comets go to the PK. Middendorf 2 for slashing.
The Comets are a very fragile team and the momentum shifts for them with every negative or positive event.
Halonen has a SH break and DiPe stops him and holds on. Bruins giveaway, a DiPe stop, and another whistle.
Comets just cannot play smart hockey. They refuse to play the body and thus are always reaching, grabbing, and poking and hooking with their sticks creating penalties for themselves. Engaras gets 2 for slashing while penalty killing.
Short 5 on 3 and the Comets get it out and down the ice and the 5 on 3 becomes another 5 on 4.
Comets send it down the ice. The Comets have played the better hockey, but their mistakes and lazy play defensively has allowed the Bruins to challenge.
The Bruins now to the box and we are 4 on 4 and soon the Comets will get a short 5 on 4.
Comets now to the PP. Turn it over. A Bruin skates it up the ice and then reverses direction. Then they shoot it down the ice.
Comets back in. Pass to Dowling at the poiint from the corner hits off his stick and out. They bring it back in and Dowling is stopped.
Wotherspoon is an idiot! He gets the puck in the slot, but he fiddles with it looking for a better option and gets it taken away. If he shoots, maybe the Comets get the rebound and who knows. He is always looking to shoot and takes an eternity while the opponent lines up to take away evry option. His shot is terrible and he misses the net more often than not. His shot often ends up being a change of possession and the opponent going the other way.
Wouldn't be sorry to see the Devils cut ties with him next season.
Bruins into the Comets end and Schmid makes a big stop on Prov.'s best chance of the period.
TV TO 4:21 to go.
Comets into their doomsday time, 2 minutes left in the period.
Both teams failing to make more than 1 pass before change of possession.
1 minute to go.
Icing Prov.
Halonen has a 1 timer from the faceoff go off the heel of his stick.
Period ends
1-1
SOG:
9-6 Comets
Period 2
(Rochester has defeated Belleville 8-2. Come on guys make this happen for yourselves. March through that open door!)
Bruins with a 3 on 2 and Schmid stops a Bruin from 3 feet and it's out of play.
Schmelzer winds up with the puck in the slot and his shot goes wide left. DAMN!!!
Bruins give it up on the right side boards and the Comets get a good chance from Wendt. DiPe makes a good stop.
DiPe stops Dowling on his doorstep and corrals the puck to prevent a rebound chance.
Big 1-timer from the high slot and it hits him square in the mask and drops into his lap.
Comets come back in and DiPe melts it down . Hatakka is down at DiPe's left.
Ghantous has shown himself for the 1st time and he created 2 great chances and DiPe is on his head. Good work kid. Time to stop with the tentative play. Play the game the way you know how.
Ghantous got a roughing penalty. Callahan got one as well. Laberge got the extra one coming in to stand up for Ghantous.
All 3 at 5:04
Comets to the PK.
Schmid holding on after a stop. Another scrum. Comets have to stop this s**t. They don't need to prove any toughness. They need to win a hockey game and playing down a man isn't how they do that. No post season rewards for after the whistle toughness. Refs back off and no calls are made.
Ghantous is out. Puck goes out of play. All even.
TV TO
12:52 to go
Bruins getting 2 for interference.
Comets to the PP.
Wrist shot by Vilen gloved and held by DiPE off the draw.
3 stops so far on 1-timers.
Bruins finally shoot it out.
Stevens tipped it over the top of the right corner.
Back to 5 on 5. Good PP, but no goal. 1st unit is on fire. 2nd unit just kept the puck in, but did not challenge.
TV TO
8:09 to go
Middendorf shot from the left half boards. Stopped and held.
Schmid a good stop at the other end.
TV TO
4:43 to go
Halonen shot and Legare tipped it in front and DiPe made a real good save.
Wotherspoon has one speed - SLOW. Now he intentionally ices it and the faceoff comes all the way down.
Schmid a great stop on a shot off the rush.
Comets now go to the PK as the result of an offensive zone trip by Laberge. A bad penalty to take.
Comets win the draw and Criscuolo gets a chance 1 on 1 and it's wide.
Comets launch it out.
Bruins set up.
Comets send it out. Bruins back in. Big slapper snatched by Schmid.
Comets send it down the ice again.
1 minute left.
Comets have killed it.
Period ends. Laberge shoulders a Bruin coming at him at the horn. Sam did not have to deliver his heaviest hit. I fear what may be coming from this.
End of 2 and it's still
2-2
SOG:
12-10 Providence
2-period total:
19-18 Utica
McLaughlin got the only penalty at the end of the 2nd. He stepped in after the collision between Sam and Lambert.
2 for Roughing.
Comets to open the 3rd on the PP.
Comets' pressure continues to mount. Laval is leading Cleveland 3-1 after 2. Comets are tied with Laval. Comets have to have this 1.
(Rochester has defeated Belleville 8-2. Come on guys make this happen for yourselves. March through that open door!)
Bruins with a 3 on 2 and Schmid stops a Bruin from 3 feet and it's out of play.
Schmelzer winds up with the puck in the slot and his shot goes wide left. DAMN!!!
Bruins give it up on the right side boards and the Comets get a good chance from Wendt. DiPe makes a good stop.
DiPe stops Dowling on his doorstep and corrals the puck to prevent a rebound chance.
Big 1-timer from the high slot and it hits him square in the mask and drops into his lap.
Comets come back in and DiPe melts it down . Hatakka is down at DiPe's left.
Ghantous has shown himself for the 1st time and he created 2 great chances and DiPe is on his head. Good work kid. Time to stop with the tentative play. Play the game the way you know how.
Ghantous got a roughing penalty. Callahan got one as well. Laberge got the extra one coming in to stand up for Ghantous.
All 3 at 5:04
Comets to the PK.
Schmid holding on after a stop. Another scrum. Comets have to stop this s**t. They don't need to prove any toughness. They need to win a hockey game and playing down a man isn't how they do that. No post season rewards for after the whistle toughness. Refs back off and no calls are made.
Ghantous is out. Puck goes out of play. All even.
TV TO
12:52 to go
Bruins getting 2 for interference.
Comets to the PP.
Wrist shot by Vilen gloved and held by DiPE off the draw.
3 stops so far on 1-timers.
Bruins finally shoot it out.
Stevens tipped it over the top of the right corner.
Back to 5 on 5. Good PP, but no goal. 1st unit is on fire. 2nd unit just kept the puck in, but did not challenge.
TV TO
8:09 to go
Middendorf shot from the left half boards. Stopped and held.
Schmid a good stop at the other end.
TV TO
4:43 to go
Halonen shot and Legare tipped it in front and DiPe made a real good save.
Wotherspoon has one speed - SLOW. Now he intentionally ices it and the faceoff comes all the way down.
Schmid a great stop on a shot off the rush.
Comets now go to the PK as the result of an offensive zone trip by Laberge. A bad penalty to take.
Comets win the draw and Criscuolo gets a chance 1 on 1 and it's wide.
Comets launch it out.
Bruins set up.
Comets send it out. Bruins back in. Big slapper snatched by Schmid.
Comets send it down the ice again.
1 minute left.
Comets have killed it.
Period ends. Laberge shoulders a Bruin coming at him at the horn. Sam did not have to deliver his heaviest hit. I fear what may be coming from this.
End of 2 and it's still
2-2
SOG:
12-10 Providence
2-period total:
19-18 Utica
McLaughlin got the only penalty at the end of the 2nd. He stepped in after the collision between Sam and Lambert.
2 for Roughing.
Comets to open the 3rd on the PP.
Comets' pressure continues to mount. Laval is leading Cleveland 3-1 after 2. Comets are tied with Laval. Comets have to have this 1.
Here comes the 3rd. Dowling a great chance firing off the off the rush and DiPe makes a great save.
The Bruins come out SH and 2 comets go for the same guy. his shot is stopped and the trailer picks up the loose puck and fires it into the open saide . Schmid had no chance.
Steen 0:52
2-1 Bruins
Comets still on the PP. Ghantous brings it in and passes it to wotherspoon who backs towards the right point. he slides it down to russo who passe it to Ghantous who has moved down into the slot and he 1-times it.................................................... and S____________O_______________R____________E___________S!!!!!!!!!!!
Ghantous gets his 1st AHL goal and this one is all tied up again at 2.
Ghantous at 1:42 PP
2-2
Comets doing their typical post goal play. Boxed in their own end like they don't remember how they had been playing the rest of the game.
Providence appears to be ramping up their play. Comes must match the effort.
Stevens rifles a shot wide of the net from the right circle. This guy simply cannot hit the net. He keeps getting great chances and just keeps shooting it wide.
Hatakka misses the net from the middle of the left circle. Come on guys. Can't score unless the puck is between the pipes.
Comets are getting chances, but not making good on the shots. This team is really lacking in guys who are used to scoring goals.
Please get this one before regulation runs out. OT has not been good and the shootout has been absolutely horrible.
Schmid gloves one for a whistle.
Hatakka shot deflects out.
TV TO
8:22 to go
Bruins ice it.
Engaras chased as always. Dowling wins it. P{uck mut to center. Back into the Bruins corner.
Back into the Comets zone.
Back into the Prov end.
Out to cneter and back into the Prov end.
Into the Comets end.
See how this one is going? Back and forth.
Halonen a great chance and a better save by DiPe!
Bruins offsides as it's fielded in the circle, whew.
TV TO
4:43 to go
Next goal wins it? the goals in this game ahve been scored in two short spans of less than 2 minutes.
Comets shot deflected wide by a Bruin.
Ghantous a backhander in front and ir's stopped and somebody's rebound is also stopped and smothered.
Bruins into the Comets end. Too uch standing and Bruins allowed to get open away from the puck.
Doomsday time.
Comets ice it with 1:42 to go.
Bruins shot stopped by Schmid.
Comets ice it again. This is not smart hockey boys!
1 minute to go.
In the Bruins end. out to center and back into the Comets end.
OT!!!!!!!!!!!
Comets a point.
It's not enough!!!!!!!!!
They have to have the 2nd 1.
The Bruins come out SH and 2 comets go for the same guy. his shot is stopped and the trailer picks up the loose puck and fires it into the open saide . Schmid had no chance.
Steen 0:52
2-1 Bruins
Comets still on the PP. Ghantous brings it in and passes it to wotherspoon who backs towards the right point. he slides it down to russo who passe it to Ghantous who has moved down into the slot and he 1-times it.................................................... and S____________O_______________R____________E___________S!!!!!!!!!!!
Ghantous gets his 1st AHL goal and this one is all tied up again at 2.
Ghantous at 1:42 PP
2-2
Comets doing their typical post goal play. Boxed in their own end like they don't remember how they had been playing the rest of the game.
Providence appears to be ramping up their play. Comes must match the effort.
Stevens rifles a shot wide of the net from the right circle. This guy simply cannot hit the net. He keeps getting great chances and just keeps shooting it wide.
Hatakka misses the net from the middle of the left circle. Come on guys. Can't score unless the puck is between the pipes.
Comets are getting chances, but not making good on the shots. This team is really lacking in guys who are used to scoring goals.
Please get this one before regulation runs out. OT has not been good and the shootout has been absolutely horrible.
Schmid gloves one for a whistle.
Hatakka shot deflects out.
TV TO
8:22 to go
Bruins ice it.
Engaras chased as always. Dowling wins it. P{uck mut to center. Back into the Bruins corner.
Back into the Comets zone.
Back into the Prov end.
Out to cneter and back into the Prov end.
Into the Comets end.
See how this one is going? Back and forth.
Halonen a great chance and a better save by DiPe!
Bruins offsides as it's fielded in the circle, whew.
TV TO
4:43 to go
Next goal wins it? the goals in this game ahve been scored in two short spans of less than 2 minutes.
Comets shot deflected wide by a Bruin.
Ghantous a backhander in front and ir's stopped and somebody's rebound is also stopped and smothered.
Bruins into the Comets end. Too uch standing and Bruins allowed to get open away from the puck.
Doomsday time.
Comets ice it with 1:42 to go.
Bruins shot stopped by Schmid.
Comets ice it again. This is not smart hockey boys!
1 minute to go.
In the Bruins end. out to center and back into the Comets end.
OT!!!!!!!!!!!
Comets a point.
It's not enough!!!!!!!!!
They have to have the 2nd 1.
OT
Halonen , Schmelzer, Russo
Comets won the draw and immediately turn it over.
Dowling gets a turnover and moves in and shoots from the left circle and DiPe holds on.
Bruins try a long pass and ice it.
Comets blow a chance and the Bruins are back in and Schmid gloves away a shot from deadly range. Saved the game...
Here comes the Bruins
I can't type it's too much going both ways.
All kinds of turnovers. Lots of puck battles. Shots blocked. Shots wide. Saves.
SHOOTOUT
Halonen - shoots it right into DiPe.
Bruin - Save Schmid
Dowling - Save DiPe
Bruin - Scores
Legare or it's over. Save DiPe.
Providence wins 3-2 in Shootout
Comets have not been able to score breakaway goals since game #1. Shootouts are usually shutouts 3 and done.
Knowing that, if I were Dineen I would have given Wendt and Ghantous a try. They are both College guys who try breakaways every day of their college careers. What would he have had to lose?
Halonen has made the same shot into the pads every time he has been in alone.
Legare is not a scoring hockey player. That selection by Dineen was just plain nuts.
Belleville 76 PTs - 3GR - max 82
Laval 74 Pts - 2Gr - max 78
Utica 73 PTs - 3GR -max 79
This one is all over except the math.
Hard work form grinders, callups, and rookie newcomers just don't possess the hockey skillset necessary to win games like these. They had every opportunity to win in the OT but don't even have the IQ to get into position to get passes on outmanned rushes, never back out and reset, try to bull their way to the net and turn it over. It's sad.
On the breakaways/shootout chances they look like they have no plan at all. They have rarely made any kind of move. They get in too close and just try to jam it in or shoot it through the keeper. The goalies never get moved one way or the other. You won't beat many goalies if you let them line up on you and then don't make them move.
The math says they have a chance, but winning 3 games in a row is something this team has had a tough time doing all season. Doing it against the top 2 teams in the Division, currently tied for 1st place (Syracuse and Rochester each with 83 PTs), is more than a monumental task to ask of them.
I'll have to make sure I tell my brother (an Usher in Rochester) his team failed to get their 4 points against Belleville this weekend and in failing to do so, they didn't grab 1st place and screwed us over in the process. LOL
Had they done so it would be:
Belleville 74
Laval 74
Utica 73
It really matters little because Utica couldn't take care of themselves. 2 OT losses turned into 2 OT wins would have them sitting at 75 and 1 point behind Belleville.
Halonen , Schmelzer, Russo
Comets won the draw and immediately turn it over.
Dowling gets a turnover and moves in and shoots from the left circle and DiPe holds on.
Bruins try a long pass and ice it.
Comets blow a chance and the Bruins are back in and Schmid gloves away a shot from deadly range. Saved the game...
Here comes the Bruins
I can't type it's too much going both ways.
All kinds of turnovers. Lots of puck battles. Shots blocked. Shots wide. Saves.
SHOOTOUT
Halonen - shoots it right into DiPe.
Bruin - Save Schmid
Dowling - Save DiPe
Bruin - Scores
Legare or it's over. Save DiPe.
Providence wins 3-2 in Shootout
Comets have not been able to score breakaway goals since game #1. Shootouts are usually shutouts 3 and done.
Knowing that, if I were Dineen I would have given Wendt and Ghantous a try. They are both College guys who try breakaways every day of their college careers. What would he have had to lose?
Halonen has made the same shot into the pads every time he has been in alone.
Legare is not a scoring hockey player. That selection by Dineen was just plain nuts.
Belleville 76 PTs - 3GR - max 82
Laval 74 Pts - 2Gr - max 78
Utica 73 PTs - 3GR -max 79
This one is all over except the math.
Hard work form grinders, callups, and rookie newcomers just don't possess the hockey skillset necessary to win games like these. They had every opportunity to win in the OT but don't even have the IQ to get into position to get passes on outmanned rushes, never back out and reset, try to bull their way to the net and turn it over. It's sad.
On the breakaways/shootout chances they look like they have no plan at all. They have rarely made any kind of move. They get in too close and just try to jam it in or shoot it through the keeper. The goalies never get moved one way or the other. You won't beat many goalies if you let them line up on you and then don't make them move.
The math says they have a chance, but winning 3 games in a row is something this team has had a tough time doing all season. Doing it against the top 2 teams in the Division, currently tied for 1st place (Syracuse and Rochester each with 83 PTs), is more than a monumental task to ask of them.
I'll have to make sure I tell my brother (an Usher in Rochester) his team failed to get their 4 points against Belleville this weekend and in failing to do so, they didn't grab 1st place and screwed us over in the process. LOL
Had they done so it would be:
Belleville 74
Laval 74
Utica 73
It really matters little because Utica couldn't take care of themselves. 2 OT losses turned into 2 OT wins would have them sitting at 75 and 1 point behind Belleville.
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- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,871
- 51,306
The Thunder were down 0-3, but they’re a team of destiny this season, and they came back to win it 4-3.
Maine’s goalie likely wants this goal back.
Only posting that goal tweet because I enjoyed the Adirondack crowd celebrating (specifically Choke Guy):
Anyhoo this win means THEY ARE THE ECHL EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS! BOOYAH!
43-18-10
Maine’s goalie likely wants this goal back.
Only posting that goal tweet because I enjoyed the Adirondack crowd celebrating (specifically Choke Guy):
Anyhoo this win means THEY ARE THE ECHL EASTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPS! BOOYAH!
43-18-10
OT
Halonen , Schmelzer, Russo
Comets won the draw and immediately turn it over.
Dowling gets a turnover and moves in and shoots from the left circle and DiPe holds on.
Bruins try a long pass and ice it.
Comets blow a c=hance and the Bruins are back in and schmid gloves away a shot from deadly range. Saved the game...
Here comes the Bruins
I can't type it's too much going both ways.
Alkl kinds of turnovers. Lots of puck battles. Shots blocked. Shots wide. Saves.
SHOOTOUT
Halonen - shoots it right into DiPe.
Bruin - Save Schmid
Dowling - Save DiPe
Bruin - Scores
Legare or it's over. Save DiPe.
Comets have not been able to score breakaway goals since game #1. Shootouts are usually shutouts 3 and done.
Knowing that, if i were Dineen I would have given Wendt and Ghantous a try. They are both College guys who try breakaways every day foe theiur college careers. What would he have had to lose?
Halonen has made the same shot into the pads every time he has been in alone.
Legare is not a scoring hockey player. That was just plain nuts.
Belleville 76 PTs - 3GR > 82 max
Laval 74 Pts - 2GR > 78 max
Utica 73 PTs - 3GR >79
The math says they have a chance, but winning 3 games in a row is something this team has had a tough time doing all season. Doing it against the top 2 teams in the Division, currently tied for 1st place (Syracuse and Rochester each with 83 PTs), is more than a monumental task to ask of them.
I'll have to make sure I tell my brother (an Usher in Rochester) his team failed to get their 4 points against Belleville this weekend and in failing to do so, they didn't grab 1st place and screwed us over in the process. LOL
Had they done so it would be:
Belleville 74
Laval 74
Utica 73
It really matters little because Utica couldn't take care of themselves. 2 OT losses turned into 2 OT wins would have them sitting at 75 and just 1 point behind Belleville.
Halonen , Schmelzer, Russo
Comets won the draw and immediately turn it over.
Dowling gets a turnover and moves in and shoots from the left circle and DiPe holds on.
Bruins try a long pass and ice it.
Comets blow a c=hance and the Bruins are back in and schmid gloves away a shot from deadly range. Saved the game...
Here comes the Bruins
I can't type it's too much going both ways.
Alkl kinds of turnovers. Lots of puck battles. Shots blocked. Shots wide. Saves.
SHOOTOUT
Halonen - shoots it right into DiPe.
Bruin - Save Schmid
Dowling - Save DiPe
Bruin - Scores
Legare or it's over. Save DiPe.
Comets have not been able to score breakaway goals since game #1. Shootouts are usually shutouts 3 and done.
Knowing that, if i were Dineen I would have given Wendt and Ghantous a try. They are both College guys who try breakaways every day foe theiur college careers. What would he have had to lose?
Halonen has made the same shot into the pads every time he has been in alone.
Legare is not a scoring hockey player. That was just plain nuts.
Belleville 76 PTs - 3GR > 82 max
Laval 74 Pts - 2GR > 78 max
Utica 73 PTs - 3GR >79
The math says they have a chance, but winning 3 games in a row is something this team has had a tough time doing all season. Doing it against the top 2 teams in the Division, currently tied for 1st place (Syracuse and Rochester each with 83 PTs), is more than a monumental task to ask of them.
I'll have to make sure I tell my brother (an Usher in Rochester) his team failed to get their 4 points against Belleville this weekend and in failing to do so, they didn't grab 1st place and screwed us over in the process. LOL
Had they done so it would be:
Belleville 74
Laval 74
Utica 73
It really matters little because Utica couldn't take care of themselves. 2 OT losses turned into 2 OT wins would have them sitting at 75 and just 1 point behind Belleville.
UticaHockey
Registered User
The season is over for the Comets. MacKinnon needs to realize that and send the Thunder back the players that were with them most of the season before their first playoff game on Friday. Just stitch together whatever ragtag lineup that they can for the Comets final three games.The goal should be stacking the Thunder for a deep playoff run.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,871
- 51,306
Utica will get Bowers and Clarke back in Utica after the Devils’ last game on 4/15, before the Comets last 3 games.
So they can send some guys back. Anyone not sent back can be named to the playoff roster.
Their ragtag lineup WAS PLAYING this weekend!
Why? What has NJ sent us knowing they were done. Clarke has done shit and Bowers as well. They did nothing for NJ and NJ knows they don't figure into the Devils future. They might have been that 1 extra goal the Comets needed to avoid OT in both games this weekend. Think maybe having both of their minor franchises enjoy some success would have been a good sign that the Devils had been doing something right?
Sour grapes? Yeah, maybe, but the Devils have not done Utica a single favor all season when it has been obvious from early on the they needed help.
Ghantous and Wendt have shown they belong in Utica. Let's let them try to further their mettle and learn exactly what they need to work on for next Fall when they will be full-time Comets. The Comets will be done Sunday. The Thunder have won every pre-playoff race there was to win. I think they will fare just fine for their first couple games against the weak competition they'll face in round 1. Sometimes the additions sent down actually hurt more than they help. The team has got where they are without these guys and they have put their successful chemistry on full display.
Who do you think Utica will end up sending them?
We know that Filmon (LW) will be here. Diotte (RD) is also signed.
Would like to see Casey join the mix.
Will be nice to see some young "talent" join the fray.
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- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,871
- 51,306
The Thunder won early on great goaltending and scoring by committee.
The goaltending cooled down. Vinnie Purpura got injured in March and was out for the rest of the regular season.
So they could really use Poulter.
They might let Ghantous play out the season in the AHL but Adirondack definitely needs him.
He developed chemistry with guys in 10 games and he was incredible for them.
Adirondack has lost some key guys to injury:
Patrick Grasso - out since 1/26, concussion
Grant Jozefek - out since 3/22, unknown but not skating
Mike Gillespie - out since 3/23, concussion
Jake Isley - out since 3/29, shoulder surgery so done for the year
There’s a good amount of turnover in the ECHL.
Adirondack only has 10 guys who have at least 45 GP (out of 71) with them and 3 of them are injured.
The ECHL roster comes out on 4/15, we’ll see who’s on it.
You do realize that Fitzgerald was the only forward not playing yesterday?
Willman , Stillman, and Gambardella are hurt. Ghantous scored and had an assist yesterday.
Middendorf, Fitzgerald, and Engaras are the other forwards that could go down besides Ghantous.
Felix is the defender and he was reassigned yesterday unless you think MacKinnon should be added to the list as well. If yes, so be it. Add him on.
You do know as well as I, even know how preposterous it is to think about it, that the Comets are still alive for a playoff spot. You want the Thunder to have the best shot at the Cup, but the Comets players deserve the same kind of support in putting their best chances on the ice. Devils are done Monday. Clarke and Bowers will be back for the 3 in 3 final weekend.
Ghantous proved his worth yesterday with a goal, assist and a couple more great chances. He can go back down when/if Utica is done.
If as you say, anyone not sent down can be placed on the Thunder roster and thus, report after their season is done, then leave the Comets their best shot. If the Comets become eliminated, which at this point they are still not (no matter the way things would have to play out), you can load up those named and send them to Glen Falls. They would probably be there for Game 2 on Sunday.
As to Poulter, I don't understand what you mean when you say "they could really use Poulter". Isaac was reassigned to Adirondack on March, 25. They already have him.
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UticaHockey
Registered User
Ghantous has already proved that he is an AHL player. The priority should be getting him signed to a contract for next season and beyond. Once signed send him back to Adirondack early this week so he can practice with the Thunder before their playoff game on Friday.
Middendorf and MacKinnon should go back down as early as possible too.
While the math doesn't say that the Comets are eliminated yet, the reality of the situation tells me they will be on the golf course in a week. The chances of the Comets winning every game in a three-in-three weekend are slim and then Laval and Belleville, the two teams above them, play each other twice making it impossible for both of them to be held without a point next weekend.
I just want this season to end. I'm mentally done with this team and want to at least see Adirondack have as much success as possible.
Louskoolaid89
Let's Go!!!
- Oct 14, 2017
- 3,080
- 3,824
With the Devils clear of the playoffs and Utica's chances being so slim. Maybe a trip to Glenn Falls... for me. At least I have Flosports. Can watch it all and from anywhere. LET'S GO THUNDER!!!
UticaHockey
Registered User
I spent yesterday, and really the past week and a half, watching the most entertaining hockey that this building has seen in years. The Comets final three games are going to be a let down for me.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,871
- 51,306
Thunder Playoff roster hot off the presses:
link
So forwards Patrick Grasso & Grant Jozefek and goalie Vinnie Purpura are missing the playoffs, some tough luck there for them. (Grasso is the Captain, and just won the Fan Favorite award.)
Adirondack added 6 NCAA signings in April/March:
4 made it (F Young, F Ghantous, F Welsher, D Conroy)
2 left off (D Mike Van Unen, D Jordan Di Cicco)
Added 2 USport signings:
2 made it (D Blake, D van de Leest)
Added 1 CHL signing:
1 left off (F Eric Alarie)
What? I’m thorough.
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All I can say is if NJ was in the identical spot as the Comets right now and Utica was in the spot Adirondack is, you can be assured the Comets would not receive any players currently in NJ that were ticketed for Utica if/when the Devils were eliminated. Unless NJ was out of it, those UItica players would remain in NJ. That's the way it goes. It should be no different for the Comets.
The Thunder are where they are playing every game with who they had. They will likely not have to wait long to see those guys with ** after their names on the Thunder roster, but waiting is the way it should be.
NJ took Clarke and Bowers when the Comets really needed them this past weekend and NJ had no chance. Utica has a chance in a number of scenarios. Agreed it's slim, but the chances are there until the games are played and the issue is settled. Adirondack can wait their turn just like Utica has had to do.
My bet is after tonight's NJ game, Bowers and Clarke will be returned while Middendorf and Engaras will be back in Adirondack. It's possible MacKinnon goes back as well. Ghantous is questionable if Stillman, Willman, and Gambardella are still out. They might have to wait on him.
The Thunder are where they are playing every game with who they had. They will likely not have to wait long to see those guys with ** after their names on the Thunder roster, but waiting is the way it should be.
NJ took Clarke and Bowers when the Comets really needed them this past weekend and NJ had no chance. Utica has a chance in a number of scenarios. Agreed it's slim, but the chances are there until the games are played and the issue is settled. Adirondack can wait their turn just like Utica has had to do.
My bet is after tonight's NJ game, Bowers and Clarke will be returned while Middendorf and Engaras will be back in Adirondack. It's possible MacKinnon goes back as well. Ghantous is questionable if Stillman, Willman, and Gambardella are still out. They might have to wait on him.
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That's okay. You can't believe you are alone do you? However, the business is determined by attendance. When people decide the team isn't worth it, the team just might not be there too much longer in the future. NJ is famous for pulling up stakes and going elsewhere. Remember, we already lost them once. It was a long time before we got an NHL franchise back here again. I personally am not interested in seeing that event repeat itself!
A winter with a weaker roster than what we should should have been given, still outweighs no hockey at all. I don't know if you remember what that was like, but I sure do and it wasn't pretty. The majority of the players on Utica's roster give us what they've got. The fact that more talented players could have been acquired by NJ for this roster doesn't change that. They have busted their asses to get where they are and they deserve to have the best their roster can provide them until the numbers say their season is done. Then they will simply play out the season and go home. Many will never return here again, at least not as Comets. We'll miss some and be glad another group is gone. However, I always caution people who vehemently list the guys they want gone. Be careful what you wish for. What comes next may be way worse.
- Dec 20, 2018
- 22,871
- 51,306
ECHL teams only dress 19 players (17 skaters & 2 goalies) for games.
They have 17 skaters without the Utica** guys, Blake is under “defensemen” but is F/D.
The last 3 Utica games only conflict with the first two games:
It shouldn’t be a problem.
