TomatoPieFan

I'd really like to know where all these alleged Utica fans hating on Dahlen is coming from or this fan base scapegoating the kid. Please qualify those statements with examples.

Blujus snipes 1 now 2-2 Not sure what Comets fans are hating Dahlen. I've not heard negative comments in the stands or BSing with other fans. I actually think he has shown some really promising individual skills and has started many quality goal attempts promptly muffed by other players. He could use some upper body strength improvement.

Comets strike first with a highlight play from Carcone and now down 1-2 after 2nd including giving up league leading 7th shorthanded goal. Comets had a few quality attempts but can't hit the back of the net. 9-18 Shots but Laval owns a crazy stat as league leading fewest shots allowed per game.

By Ben Birnell Posted at 4:38 PM UTICA -- There was some change to the Utica Comets goaltending picture Wednesday. The biggest news is that Thatcher Demko is expected to make his first start of the season Wednesday for the Comets, who have struggled recently. Demko, the 22-year-old prized goaltending prospect, had been out for nearly the last two months as he dealt with a concussion he suffered after being hit in the mask and head by a shot Sept. 23 while with the parent Vancouver Canucks. Demko, who had been in Utica while recovering from the injury since early October, practiced in full this week with the team ahead of the start with the Comets. Demko, who had been part of other recent practices, was officially assigned to the Comets on Tuesday. With Demko back, Connor LaCouvee was assigned back to the Maine Mariners, the ECHL team announced Wednesday. LaCouvee, who had been the back up to Ivan Kulbakov, made one start and appeared in three games for the Comets. LaCouvee made first AHL start last Saturday, allowing five goals on 28 shots in a loss to Hartford. In total, LaCouvee had a 2.87 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage with Utica. Also Wednesday, the Canucks announced veteran Richard Bachman had been assigned back to the Comets after Anders Nilsson returned from a broken hand. Bachman, who had been with Vancouver the last three weeks, played one game for the Canucks and took the loss in a 6-2 setback last Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. It was part of a rough start for Bachman, who is 1-4 with a 4.23 goals-against average this season. With Kulbakov – who has been carrying the load for the Comets in the absence of Bachman and Demko – Utica has three goaltenders. It is rare for teams to carry that many goaltenders at one time and it has been expected Kulbakov will spend time with ECHL Kalamazoo.

The Canucks‘ goaltending picture is back to one of 100 per cent health. Anders Nilsson, out for the past two-plus weeks with a broken hand, has been cleared by the team’s medical staff to play and will dress as the team’s backup goalie on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks at the Honda Center. The team confirmed after practice that veteran goalie Richard Bachman has been re-assigned to the Utica Comets, the Canucks’ American Hockey League affiliate, to make room on the 23-man NHL roster for Nilsson. Bachman made a solitary start for the Canucks, last Thursday in Minnesota against the Wild, a 6-2 shellacking that didn’t see him get much defensive help.

Season ticket holder from Day 1. For about $15 a game ticket it's still a good night out. As an amateur armchair GM I think half the losses could have been a flip to the W column with 1) a goalie with a GAA in the low 2's, 2) a solid and consistent D, and 3) a play maker center. Captain Cal, aka: Captain Assist as we called him, would routinely feed other players on scoring chances rather than press. None of the Comets lines have really gelled with all the injuries. They almost always seem to be just a foot or two ahead or behind on breakout passes. It's a long season and with a healthy Canucks roster the Comets can be in the thick of things again.

UTICA COMETS & AUD AUTHORITY TO UNVEIL LIFE-SIZE BRONZE CLINTON COMET STATUE Nov 19, 2018 Utica Comets President Robert Esche announced today that on Saturday, November 24, the Utica Comets will unveil a bronze, life-size statue of the four Clinton Comets – Dave Armstrong, Jack Kane, Pierre Prevost, and Borden Smith – who have remained in the area since their playing days and have served as unwavering ambassadors of the area’s Comet Culture. The statue also features a plaque in remembrance of Ian Anderson, the fifth in the group, who passed away in November of 2013. For years, the Comets, along with the Upper Mohawk Valley Memorial Auditorium Authority, have searched for a way to honor and memorialize the five pillars responsible for growing the grassroots of hockey in the Mohawk Valley. Once they came up with the idea of a bronze statue, they commissioned Art of Bronze, based out of Los Angeles, California, to take on the project, which took over five months to complete; the piece weighs over 900 pounds and represents the figures in true life-size form. The process began earlier this summer with a 360-degree photoshoot at the Adirondack Bank Center, which was then translated into a sculpture that was made by an artist in Los Angeles; the piece was then sent across the Pacific to Thailand for the actual molding process. Finally, the bronze statue traveled back to Los Angeles, where Art of Bronze put the finishing touches on the piece, affixed plaques, and sent the statue across the continent to Utica. The permanent fixture in the plaza outside of the Adirondack Bank Center will preserve the lives and legacies of the five men who are accredited with galvanizing the Comets brand, growing it throughout the Mohawk Valley, and establishing the entire region as a hockey hotbed. Their unwavering devotion and infectious personas made them natural ambassadors of the sport and of our Comet culture. The 1967-68 Clinton Comets are known throughout the hockey community for completing their season with a 57-5-10 record – a feat that still stands today as the best single season record in professional hockey. “The Clinton Comets truly represent what the makeup of a hockey player, both on and off the ice, should be,” said Robert Esche, continuing, “and they are the reason that the sport of hockey has such a good name. Personally, I have been molded by these guys since I was a little kid, and it means the world to be able to create something so special for them that will live at the Adirondack Bank Center forever.” “The AUD Authority is proud and honored to play a part in honoring the lives and legacies of these five Clinton Comets,” said Carl Annese. “The statue will be the idyllic representation of what they have given back to both our hockey community and the entirety of the Mohawk Valley.” The statue will be unveiled in a ceremony at 4pm out on the plaza of the Adirondack Bank Center that fans are encouraged to attend. Immediately following the ceremony, the Comets will hold their annual tree lighting, complete with Santa Claus, out on the plaza. The team store will also sell a small number of limited-edition mini replica statues, beginning during Saturday’s game.

An observation having watched every game this season. Although an average AHL winger, I think the Comets are sorely missing the physical presence of Vincent Arseneau. He's retaliated against cheap shots on team mates including the young players 3 times and unfortunately hurt his hand in the last beat down of the Wolfpack's Shawn O'Donnell 5 games ago. Not 1 fighting penalty against a Comet since then even though the Comets have had 9 fights this season. You don't see many greasy goals in the crease this season and a lot of missed opportunities on breakaways and 2 v 1 situations. Shots in the chest of the goaltender or outright misses. Very few snipes. http://www.hockeyfights.com/leaders/teams/2/reg2019

Another dumpster fire tonight vs.an equally bad team in Hartford. After leading twice to start the game lose 3-6 with LaCouvee in net.

4=0

COMETS SIGN TONY CAMERANESI TO PTO Nov 12, 2018 Utica, N.Y. – Utica Comets General Manager Ryan Johnson announced today that the club has signed forward Tony Cameranesi to a PTO. Cameranesi, 25, has appeared in 12 games this season with the Manchester Monarchs, scoring 12 points (7-5-12). He has also appeared in 71 career AHL games, including 34 with Utica last year, and has tallied 17 points (9-8-17). Prior to turning pro, the Plymouth, Minnesota native played four seasons at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, skating in 152 games and collecting 124 points (41-83-124).

Kulbakov was pulled after 3 goals and Connor LaCouvee makes AHL debut and promptly gives up first shot.

1-4 Jasek, MacMaster, Carcone

Kulbakov pulled after 3 goals (I don;t think 2 were his fault), Connor LaCouvee makes AHL debut and promptly gives up first shot.

Injuries continue to be nuisance for the Utica Comets. On Saturday, the Comets went the professional tryout contract route adding forward Alex Kile to the roster ahead of the team’s game in Binghamton. The move comes after the Comets lost forward Vincent Arseneau to a hand injury following a fight in the second period and Cam Darcy (undisclosed) in the third period of the team’s 4-3 shootout win over Hartford on Friday in Utica. Neither will play Saturday, according to Comets General Manager Ryan Johnson. It is the latest in a string of injuries this season for the Comets, who have had Reid Boucher (ankle; five consecutive games), Kole Lind (upper-body; five consecutive games), Wacey Hamilton (concussion) and Thatcher Demko (concussion) each miss from lineup recently. There were also short injury stints for defensemen Jalen Chatfield and Ashton Sautner, who have returned to the lineup. Various others -- including Darren Archibald, Brendan Gaunce and Alex Biega -- are on recall with the parent Vancouver Canucks. With the addition of Kile, the Comets have 12 healthy forwards. The 24-year-old Kile joins the Comets from ECHL Maine, where he scored his seventh goal in 10 games Friday. He leads the Mariners in goals, PP goals and is tied for the lead in points (9). Kile has played 12 games over the last two seasons with the Rochester Americans, totaling three points. He’s played 56 ECHL games since finishing a four-year career at the University of Michigan. Kile is the second player to join the Comets from Maine after goaltender Connor LaCouvee was recently added.

Canucks Assistant General Manager John Weisbrod and adviser Doug Jarvis were in attendance. Kulbakov was on fire again. Should have gotten a post game star. Arseneau standing up for his teammates with another great fight win but now injured hand. The PK line for 2 minutes and Kulbakov huge saves in OT. Crowd finally got into it down the stretch. 50/50 was $22K after a rollover from Wed game. Jersey auction another success. Average jersey went for about $1250. UTICA – The Utica Comets broke out of one funk Friday night. They needed a shootout to do it against the Hartford Wolf Pack. Jonathan Dahlen and Michael Carcone each scored in the shootout and Ivan Kulbakov stopped two Hartford shooters to help the Comets earn a thrilling 4-3, come-from-behind home victory at in the first meeting of the season between the American Hockey League Eastern Conference teams. “Any time you can (rally) is huge,” said rookie forward Jonah Gadjovich, whose first pro goal tied the game at 3 with 1:27 to play. “We found a way to battle back and that’s what good teams do.” Dahlen and Carcone each scored on nice backhand efforts to help the Comets (6-7-1-0, 13 points) rally from a 3-1 deficit in the third period and snap the AHL’s longest home losing streak at five games. The Comets are 2-6-0-0 at home this season. “With a young group, it is a character-building win,” Comets coach Trent Cull said. “We’re a young, young team and we’re going to have our struggles. ... We’re hoping our crowd can grow with us. But, we’re going to have some thin times, you can see it. But, when we find our way back into these games it is really good.” Both Kulbakov, who had 10 saves in overtime, and Marek Mazanec turned in multiple key stops throughout a thrilling breakneck five-minute extra frame that saw each team with prime scoring opportunities. Kulbakov was especially huge – along with a few others -- on a penalty kill that draw thunderous applause from the home crowd. It was another standout performance from Kulbakov, who finished with 34 stops to keep the Comets in the game. Up Next What: Utica Comets at Binghamton Devils. When: 7:05 p.m. Saturday. Where: Floyd L. Maines Veterans Arena. Broadcast: KROCK 94.9 FM; watchtheahl.com. Season series: First of eight meetings. Last meeting: The Comets won 4-3 on April 15 in Utica. “He made big saves when he need to,” Cull said of Kulbakov, who is 5-3-1-0 this season. “He finds a way and he gives us a chance. The teams needed extra time after the Comets rallied from a two-goal deficit late in the third period. The Comets got goals from young forward Lukas Jasek (third of the season) in front and then another Gadjovich that squeezed past Mazanec. “I went to the net and the rebound on (Brendan Woods’ shot) was kind of bouncy and it came out. I just got a stick on it and it just trickled in. It was pretty nice,” Gadjovich said. The win helped put an exclamation point on the team’s Purple Heart Military Night game. Players wore special black camouflage, purple and white jerseys with some auctioned following the game. The Comets – hockey’s first team recognized by the National Military Order of the Purple Heart – also honored medal recipients, veterans and the armed forces from each conflict since World War II before and during the game. Zack MacEwen also scored and Olli Juolevi added two assists to help the Comets improve to 3-5-1-0 in the last nine games. The team continues to be without several players – Reid Boucher, Darren Archibald, among others – because of injuries or call-ups to Vancouver. The Comets also lost Vincent Arseneau (hand) in the second period and Cam Darcy in the third period Wednesday. Cull didn’t have updates on either player. Utica controlled much of the first period with several strong scoring chances, but Mazanec was solid. Kulbakov also made a few timely saves for the Comets to keep the game scoreless. Utica grabbed the lead first for the fourth consecutive game. On the goal, Juolevi found Jonathan Dahlen, who broke into the zone and sent a nice feed to MacEwen, whose wrist shot got past Mazanec for his sixth of the season. For the second time in as many games, the opposition rallied with a three-goal middle frame. The Wolf Pack (5-7-1-2) wrestled control away with Tim Gettinger tying the game 2:31 later and then took the lead on back-to-back goals by Ville Maskanen – on a redirect with 6:05 to play and another on a one-timer with 17.5 seconds left for a 3-1 lead. It stayed that way until the Comets’ rallied in the third. “We had some breakdowns in the second that we still need to work on,” Cull said. “Before the third period, we talked about some of the details that we need to work on. It was gratifying to have some guys find a way.” Note: Thatcher Demko – who has recently been practicing with the Comets as he returns from a concussion – is expected to be backup Wednesday in Belleville and return to play next weekend, Vancouver General Manager Jim Benning said on TSN 1040 radio Friday morning. ... Wacey Hamilton (concussion) missed his 14th consecutive game. Reid Boucher (ankle) missed his sixth consecutive game. ... Canucks Assistant General Manager John Weisbrod and adviser Doug Jarvis were in attendance. Comets 4, Wolf Pack 3 (SO) Hartford;0;3;0;0 - 3 Utica;0;1;2;0 - 4 1st Period: No Scoring.Penalties-O’Donnell Hfd (slashing), 7:33; Fontaine Hfd (high-sticking), 8:46; Carcone Uti (slashing), 16:39. 2nd Period: 1, Utica, MacEwen 6 (Dahlen, Juolevi), 7:29. 2, Hartford, Gettinger 5 (Lindqvist, Fogarty), 10:03. 3, Hartford, Meskanen 3 (Hajek), 13:55. 4, Hartford, Meskanen 4 (Holland), 19:42. Penalties-Fogarty Hfd (fighting), 6:53; Arseneau Uti (fighting), 6:53; MacMaster Uti (cross-checking), 11:07. 3rd Period: 5, Utica, Jasek 3 (MacMaster, Sautner), 15:00. 6, Utica, Palmu 1 (Gadjovich, Woods), 18:33. Penalties-Lindgren Hfd (holding), 1:24; Carcone Uti (tripping), 20:00. OT Period: No Scoring.Penalties-No Penalties Shootout: Hartford 0 (Gropp NG, Fogarty NG), Utica 2 (Dahlen G, Carcone G). Shots on Goal-Hartford 6-12-9-10-0-37. Utica 11-8-7-4-1-31. Power Play Opportunities-Hartford 0 / 3; Utica 0 / 3. Goalies-Hartford, Mazanec 3-4-2 (30 shots-27 saves). Utica, Kulbakov 5-3-1 (37 shots-34 saves). A-3,917 Referees-Chris Brown (86), Mike Dietrich (15). Linesmen-Tyson Baker (88), Neil Frederickson (68).

UTICA – Guillaume Brisebois’ short stint in the NHL has him feeling confident. While the second-year defenseman’s first call-up from the Utica Comets might not have lasted as long as he would have liked, he hopes the lessons gleaned with the parent Vancouver Canucks will help. “It was an amazing experience,” Brisebois said following Comets practice Tuesday. “Being surrounded by all those pro guys was amazing. I took a lot from it.” The 21-year-old Brisebois didn’t get the opportunity to make his NHL debut, but he tried to soak up what he could. “Just seeing them train, the way they prepare, the way they approach the game, it was just a great experience for me,” Brisebois said. “Just the way those guys act off the ice, on the ice, the way they prepare is awesome.” Jalen Chatfield, who had a similar NHL opportunity after swapping spots with Brisebois, was reassigned to Utica later Tuesday, according to The Province’s Ben Kuzma. Up next What: Laval Rocket at Utica Comets. When: 7 p.m. Wednesday. Where: Adirondack Bank Center at Utica Memorial Auditorium. Broadcast: KROCK 94.9 FM; watchtheahl.com. Season series: Utica leads 1-0-1-0. About the Rocket: Laval is 1-5-1-0 in its last seven games following Saturday’s 2-1 overtime win over Utica. ... Laval is 1-2-1-0 on the road this season. ... Former Comets Alex Grenier, Michael Chaput and Hunter Shinkaruk did not accumulate a point in either game against Utica last weekend. About the Comets: Utica has lost four consecutive home games. They are 1-5-0-0 at home this season. ... Utica is averaging 2.83 goals per game, which ranks 26th in the AHL. ... Goaltender Ivan Kulbakov has stopped 64 of 67 shots he’s faced in two starts against Laval. His goals-against average is 2.98 in seven starts this season. Brisebois wants to play game similar to that of veteran Chris Tanev — considered a top NHL defenseman — so he seized the opportunity to talk with him. “I try to model my game after him. He’s a great, steady defenseman. I really appreciate his game,” said Brisebois, a Quebec native who after returning to the Comets played in front of family last weekend in Laval. The left-handed Brisebois, who is 6-foot-3 and 189 pounds, has gained praise from Canucks officials since he was picked 66th overall in the 2015 draft. After a solid junior career, Brisebois had a steady rookie season with Utica in which he played 68 games – most among the team’s defensemen – and had 18 points. He was steady defensively and began to show more of an offensive side as the season progressed. Brisebois also has gained valuable experience on the penalty kill with the Comets (5-6-1-0, fourth place in the North Division). “I’m trying to learn every day,” said Brisebois, who wants to be more physical. “I’m trying to improve every single day and every time I step on the ice. We have a lot of good veterans; I’m just taking experience from those guys.” Comets coach Trent Cull said Brisebois does a lot of things well but wants to see him be “steady in all situations.” Cull said more a more consistent game will help Brisebois get more looks in the NHL. “We want to make sure he’s playing well defensively,” said Cull, who thought his team was better defensively as a whole after going 1-0-1-0 against Laval last weekend. “He’s a guy who can make good first passes. From there, it can lead to offense.” It showed in Utica’s 3-1 win Friday when Brisebois put some good zip on a long outlet pass that sprung speedy forward Jonathan Dahlen for a breakaway goal. “I’m trying to make a statement that I improved over the last year and can play at this level on a regular basis,” Brisebois said. “I just try to improve every day.” Darcy steps up It is a good time for Cam Darcy. Darcy, who is coming off a season in which he had career-best goals (6), assists (18) and points (24) with Utica, has been solid in his second campaign with the Comets. “I’m surrounded by good players,” said Darcy, whose linemates include Dahlen and Zack MacEwen. “They’re both really skilled players. ... They’re easy to play with and make it fun.” The 24-year-old Darcy scored his second goal of the season Saturday, following his own rebound and scored on a nice backhand shot. He said he’s working to be more consistent. It coincides with the team’s work ethic and compete-level being better, he said. Darcy, who is from South Boston, is also happy about the play of his favorite teams. The New England Patriots are 7-2 overall and the Boston Red Sox won the World Series last week. “Any time you get to see your hometown team win, it is awesome,” acknowledged Darcy, who said his dad has been a season-ticket holder since 1999. Roll call Goaltender Thatcher Demko participated in Tuesday’s practice, rotating with Connor LaCouvee during drills. It is the latest progress for Demko, who took shots from coaches after practice last Thursday. He also traveled with the team to Laval. Demko will not be available Wednesday, Cull said. He remains in concussion protocol, according to Comets General Manager Ryan Johnson. “He’s still making progressions. That’s good. We’re very happy with that,” Cull said. “Getting himself back on the ice practicing with the guys makes them feel good about themselves.” Forwards Reid Boucher (ankle) and Kole Lind (upper-body) are unavailable this week, Cull said. Both skated after practice, though Boucher is in the day-to-day range while Lind remains week-to-week. Forward Wacey Hamilton (concussion) had a setback, Cull said. Hamilton, who practiced last week, hasn’t played since his injury Sept. 19 with Vancouver.