2 on 1 becomes 3 on 1 and Woo from behind breaks up the one extra pass. Guy coming down the slot should have shot the puck.
The Utica Comets | 2020-2021 Thread
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15:10 to go and lots has happened but the score remains the same.
Comets failure on the PP has played a huge part in this game even with the Comets playing so poorly although the PP is part of that poor play.
Comets failure on the PP has played a huge part in this game even with the Comets playing so poorly although the PP is part of that poor play.
Comets need to shoot the puck every chance they get from now until the end. No extra passes. Shoot and crash the net. It's the way they score anyways.
Arsenau and Witkowski drop em and a lot of punches thrown.
Looks like Vinnie has broken his hand again.
He has to stop fighting even if that's his job. It's like 2 fights and something is broken and he's gone for several weeks at a time.
Comets end up down 2 minutes. Aresneau an extra to for roughing.
Hofer a good stop in close and cleared. Man they are just running into the zone and passing around quickly and firing at the net. Their PP is so much more active than the Comets slow methodical passing and 5 seconds to take a shot and then go back to their own end to get the puck again.
Looks like Vinnie has broken his hand again.
He has to stop fighting even if that's his job. It's like 2 fights and something is broken and he's gone for several weeks at a time.
Comets end up down 2 minutes. Aresneau an extra to for roughing.
Hofer a good stop in close and cleared. Man they are just running into the zone and passing around quickly and firing at the net. Their PP is so much more active than the Comets slow methodical passing and 5 seconds to take a shot and then go back to their own end to get the puck again.
Nice flurry by the Comets but the Crunch get it out.
Crunch with a rush and Hofer a glove save from about 4 feet!
Crunch with a rush and Hofer a glove save from about 4 feet!
Cometds breaking out and a stupid backhand pass attempt through a guy 6 ft away results in another turnover.
Comets play in their own zone is like Jrs playing AHL vets. It's that lopsided. There is a shining example. 8 Comets handled the puck in their own zone. 4 turned it over with Wesley handing it to a crunch on the end boards who took it right to the net and hit a mate on the far post for an easy bang into the open side. Wesley had the puck 3 times. Teves, Rathbone, Lockwood were also guilty parties. 2 more. I can't type that and watch that fast.
5-1
5-1
This is like shinny in their own end. A Crunch player can carry the puck around the entire zone with speed and pass off and they do it again! It's this individualism that is keeping this one somewhat respectable.
Crunch got a 2 on 1 and the pass to the 2nd guy resulted in a big hit by Woo on Witkowsdki (the 2nd guy) who crashed into the boards and crumpled there.
He took some time and then went to their room.
Woo better have his head on a swivel next week. Witkowski is a veteran goon and he will be looking up Jett if he is still anything like all of us in Utica know he is.
He took some time and then went to their room.
Woo better have his head on a swivel next week. Witkowski is a veteran goon and he will be looking up Jett if he is still anything like all of us in Utica know he is.
That's the game.
Final Score:
Syracuse Crunch 5
Utica Comets 1
SOG:
Comets - 11 6 8 - 25
Crunch - 10 14 9 - 33
PP:
Comets 1/6 (including 2 5on3s for c.1:30)
Crunch 1/3 (they scored on their 5on3)
Comets goal;
Rathbone (2) from N.Stevens (6) and Focht (3) PP (#12)
3 Stars: All from the Crunch
1 Boris Katchouk (1G/1A)
2 Taylor Raddysh (1G/1A)
3 Samuel Montembeault (24/25)
Final Score:
Syracuse Crunch 5
Utica Comets 1
SOG:
Comets - 11 6 8 - 25
Crunch - 10 14 9 - 33
PP:
Comets 1/6 (including 2 5on3s for c.1:30)
Crunch 1/3 (they scored on their 5on3)
Comets goal;
Rathbone (2) from N.Stevens (6) and Focht (3) PP (#12)
3 Stars: All from the Crunch
1 Boris Katchouk (1G/1A)
2 Taylor Raddysh (1G/1A)
3 Samuel Montembeault (24/25)
Arseneau going to have take a beating for Woo from the sounds of it. Let's pray for Woo's sake, Witkowski let's him get a way with it. Woo's a tough kid but he doesn't have that grown man strength nor Witkowski's size.
Nor more importantly Wit's pugilistic skills. Vinnie took a couple of solid shots tonight. Woo would get tuned up unless he can get a hold and not let go.
Boring game. Comets had no finish as best illustrated on the PP. Two 5 on 3s but never tested the goalie that much. By the third were pretty much pinned down in their zone.
Rathbone shows he has nice low shot from the point but didn't have much jump and got tracked down on the forecheck and forced out of any comfort zone and into some overly hasty plays. Scored but showed in is not NHL ready.
Woo was again very good positionally and handled size much better around his net then Rathbone. Can have some legitimate hope for this player. No star but might make a decent 3rd line pairing some where down the road.
Jasek seemed the first line center for Comets in this game and showed once again he is not a prospect. Total lightweight and never will be.
Thought Focht had some good moments and made a couple of nice set ups. One was to Lockwood but he got in too close. Lockwood overall was meh. Have a little more appreciation for Focht than others but hard to see much long term potential atm.
Gadjovich - gave it a go but couldn't accomplish much.
Had a new young goalie from St. Louis team named Hofer who played well at times. Made you think about the wasted season the Canucks have forced on DePietro. (just mindless)
Most depressing aspect is the this Lightening farm team has far better prospects than we do. Even after finishing first while we rummaged around in the basement, they have a better future based on their farm team at least. Of course they weren't busy giving away all their draft choices.
Another thing called to mind by this game was the way the Canucks missed on Verhaegue. He was by the far the best player when the Comets played the Crunch over the years. He was light years better than anything we had. We had to know about him. (or maybe not given the idiot Johnson was in charge and Benning never bothers about Utica - not on his daily schedule) When the Lightening didn't have the salary cap room, the Canucks should have been all this. I was sure hoping they would be having seen Verhaegue in the AHL. Instead, Benning, just to prove he didn't blow another draft choice, dinked around with the useless Virtanen. So Verhaegue goes to Florida at $1.2 mill and is becoming a star. He is easily in our top 6 and would be near our top scorer.
It's these endless mistakes and misses that highlight the Benning tenure and its sad that so many fans can't see it. Its these so-called fans that give license to the on-going disaster that the team is and will be moving ahead with Benning..
Rathbone shows he has nice low shot from the point but didn't have much jump and got tracked down on the forecheck and forced out of any comfort zone and into some overly hasty plays. Scored but showed in is not NHL ready.
Woo was again very good positionally and handled size much better around his net then Rathbone. Can have some legitimate hope for this player. No star but might make a decent 3rd line pairing some where down the road.
Jasek seemed the first line center for Comets in this game and showed once again he is not a prospect. Total lightweight and never will be.
Thought Focht had some good moments and made a couple of nice set ups. One was to Lockwood but he got in too close. Lockwood overall was meh. Have a little more appreciation for Focht than others but hard to see much long term potential atm.
Gadjovich - gave it a go but couldn't accomplish much.
Had a new young goalie from St. Louis team named Hofer who played well at times. Made you think about the wasted season the Canucks have forced on DePietro. (just mindless)
Most depressing aspect is the this Lightening farm team has far better prospects than we do. Even after finishing first while we rummaged around in the basement, they have a better future based on their farm team at least. Of course they weren't busy giving away all their draft choices.
Another thing called to mind by this game was the way the Canucks missed on Verhaegue. He was by the far the best player when the Comets played the Crunch over the years. He was light years better than anything we had. We had to know about him. (or maybe not given the idiot Johnson was in charge and Benning never bothers about Utica - not on his daily schedule) When the Lightening didn't have the salary cap room, the Canucks should have been all this. I was sure hoping they would be having seen Verhaegue in the AHL. Instead, Benning, just to prove he didn't blow another draft choice, dinked around with the useless Virtanen. So Verhaegue goes to Florida at $1.2 mill and is becoming a star. He is easily in our top 6 and would be near our top scorer.
It's these endless mistakes and misses that highlight the Benning tenure and its sad that so many fans can't see it. Its these so-called fans that give license to the on-going disaster that the team is and will be moving ahead with Benning..
lawrence
Registered User
- May 19, 2012
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Fantastic post.
These two:
Had a new young goalie from St. Louis team named Hofer who played well at times. Made you think about the wasted season the Canucks have forced on DePietro. (just mindless)
Most depressing aspect is the this Lightening farm team has far better prospects than we do. Even after finishing first while we rummaged around in the basement, they have a better future based on their farm team at least. Of course they weren't busy giving away all their draft choices.
And this: Jasek seemed the first line center for Comets in this game and showed once again he is not a prospect.
Total lightweight and never will be.
So depressing watching the game last night.
Like watching a high school team play an AHL team. Not much exaggeration.
Future is bleak for the Canucks. And the Comets, especially with Benning, Johnson and Cull "leading" the way.
If the Canucks were to conduct the rest of this season 'the right way', they'd empty their taxi squad and send them to Utica. And maybe elevate a couple of kids for duty in Vancouver during 'garbage time' in the schedule.
So looking at the taxi squad, the likes of Graovac, Brisebois, Michaelis, Sautner and maybe even guys like Juolevi and Rafferty should be dispatched to Utica. Up top, you can try out kids like Lind, DiPietro and maybe even Rathbone as auditions for next season. Heck. I'd even send Louie Eriksson to Utica....if he's not going to play the rest of the year for the Canucks, why not?
But of course we all know that will never happen. DiPietro, Lind, Rafferty, Juolevi and Michaelis will continue to molder on the taxi squad for the rest of the season. And down on the farm, the Comets will continue to labor on, short-staffed and under-represented with Canuck players.
I swear sometimes this organization couldn't run a popsicle stand because they wouldn't grasp the fact that you need a freezer.
So looking at the taxi squad, the likes of Graovac, Brisebois, Michaelis, Sautner and maybe even guys like Juolevi and Rafferty should be dispatched to Utica. Up top, you can try out kids like Lind, DiPietro and maybe even Rathbone as auditions for next season. Heck. I'd even send Louie Eriksson to Utica....if he's not going to play the rest of the year for the Canucks, why not?
But of course we all know that will never happen. DiPietro, Lind, Rafferty, Juolevi and Michaelis will continue to molder on the taxi squad for the rest of the season. And down on the farm, the Comets will continue to labor on, short-staffed and under-represented with Canuck players.
I swear sometimes this organization couldn't run a popsicle stand because they wouldn't grasp the fact that you need a freezer.
No chance the Canucks do anything the right way. Haven't been around for all 51 years but Benning's bumbling has to be the darkest time in Canucks history.
I can't add anything to this perfect post.
I might add that I have been pointing out the prospects other AHL teams playing the Comets have in their cupboard, with a major emphasis on Syracuse. Then I read the endless posts by Vancouver folks talking about how strong their prospect pool is. The problem is that over the last 7 years, the prospects they drool over one at a time cease to exist. Their only prospects to make it are the top notch blue chippers who never play in the AHL as prospects. The rest have been MEH.
Then they praise Benning for his drafting. Any idiot could have 3 top notch NHL players out of 6 high first round picks. Most would have more. Virtanen and Juolevi would not have been selected, particularly Jake. Much better D-men were selected after Olli as well. Jury is still out on Pods. He has never produced any numbers in the mother country that would make one drool. Maybe there is something there, but only time will tell.
Lindgren
Registered User
- Jun 30, 2005
- 6,346
- 4,413
Non-game recap stuff is spot on
Game recap is a bit harsh though...And it's kind of funny to even place any grains of salt on last weekend. They played Saturday against a team coming in completely fresh, with three days rest. the Comets, for whatever reason, were scheduled a back-to-back for their return to action after missing the last month due to a COVID outbreak. An outbreak where we don't know yet how many players were affected. the team was absolutely gassed by the third period against Rochester. and the team had absolutely nothing to give against Syracuse. Really can't evaluate their play fairly given what they were coming back from. Gadjovich said in the post-gamer that he'd skated 5 times leading up to the weekend games... that's just insanity lol
The AHL schedulers should give their heads a shake for the schedule they've loaded the Comets with, in this completely mean-nothing season.
you mean you don't like every Canuck fan suggesting that Jett Woo and Jack Rathbone are just going to automatically replace Edler and Benn next year?
Vancouver folks are probably just influenced by the young core that is currently in Vancouver. And not really making the distinction between those that are truly prospects and those that have graduated.
Everyone will have a little different take on this but, to me, a general rule is any player 22 or under that has yet to establish themselves in the NHL. Depending on the route they took, a player a little older may be considered a prospect but not as a rule. 23 year old Brisebois, for example, is no longer a prospect in my view. They know what they have and, while there still may be some development left, he has established himself as an AHL defenseman. 22 year old Lockwood clearly is a prospect.
With all that in mind, it's really the 2016 draft and beyond that should be filling the prospect pool right now. Juolevi is basically on the verge of graduating from being a prospect - a short time will tell where he graduates to. Lockwood I've mentioned. A number of players from the 2017 draft are now prominent in Utica (DiPietro with an asterisk and a topic for another post). Woo from 2018 with Madden as one that got away. Podkolzin and Hoglander from the 2019 will both very lkely be considered graduated beyond prospect from the 2019 draft. I expect very little from the 2020 draft.
So to summarize post 2015 draft:
graduated already or very close to graduating (in order of draft year):
- Juolevi
- Pettersson
- Hughes
- Hoglander
- Lockwood?
- Lind
- Gadjovich?
- DiPietro
- Rathbone
- Woo
- Podkolzin
There are, of course, other prospects. But the premise of the discussion was the strength of the prospect pool in relation to other teams. So I focused on what I would consider the most likely to play in the NHL some day.
Finally, what stands out is, outside of 2017, there was no year where to prospect pool was filled to any great extent...especially since Madden was traded. And given that Podkolzin and Hoglander will be in the NHL, there are no players from the 2019 and 2020 drafts that can be expected to bolster the strength of the pool.
I did this pretty quickly so let me know of I've missed anybody...
4/13/2021
Syracuse Crunch @ Utica Comets
Forwards:
McKenzie/Jasek/Baertschi
Gadjovich/J. Stevens/Anas
N. Stevens/Focht/Lockwood
Cameron/Kaspick/McGing
D-pairs:
Tucker/Reinke
Eliot/Wesley
Rathbone/Woo
Goal - Hofer
Scratches:
Arseneau
Teves
Jackson
Fitzpatrick (BU)
Keppen (Ethan isn't even listed on the Comets roster yet. He hasn't played since last year and has only been on board for 6 days. I think he needs a little more conditioning time before we see him.)
Syracuse Crunch @ Utica Comets
Forwards:
McKenzie/Jasek/Baertschi
Gadjovich/J. Stevens/Anas
N. Stevens/Focht/Lockwood
Cameron/Kaspick/McGing
D-pairs:
Tucker/Reinke
Eliot/Wesley
Rathbone/Woo
Goal - Hofer
Scratches:
Arseneau
Teves
Jackson
Fitzpatrick (BU)
Keppen (Ethan isn't even listed on the Comets roster yet. He hasn't played since last year and has only been on board for 6 days. I think he needs a little more conditioning time before we see him.)
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