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2016-17 Utica Comets Thread


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1 minute ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

Yep, I thought they might play Garteig but Demko's been too good lately to take him out.

3 straight games is like alot though lol. Quite shocked they're willing to burn him out like that. I guess you do what you need to when playoffs are on the line.

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1 minute ago, Gooseberries said:

3 straight games is like alot though lol. Quite shocked they're willing to burn him out like that. I guess you do what you need to when playoffs are on the line.

Yeah, even with the shutout yesterday I was a little surprised. I guess it says that Green views playing Garteig as more of a risk than playing Demko three straight. Hopefully Markstrom's injury isn't too serious and Bachman can get back soon because the Comets play three-in-threes the next five weekends... :unsure:

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Just now, stonecoldstevebernier said:

Yeah, even with the shutout yesterday I was a little surprised. I guess it says that Green views playing Garteig as more of a risk than playing Demko three straight. Hopefully Markstrom's injury isn't too serious and Bachman can get back soon because the Comets play three-in-threes the next five weekends... :unsure:

I'm not surprised, being one point out, they need wins and Demko is a force right now.

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End of the second, its 2-1 Comets who hold an 18-13 advantage in shots. Demko isn't facing nearly the volume of shots he did yesterday but there have been a few tricky ones from close range and with traffic in front and he's held the fort. Cassels is having a strong game again and is showing some speed when he carries the puck. That Kunyk-Cassels-Virtanen line is starting to gel pretty well. The PK had a strong showing in that frame as well, with Archibald and Hamilton each getting sent off for separate infractions and Zalewski taking their places to cover for them. Bancks has been a standout in this one on both sides of the ice.

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21 minutes ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

A couple of nice saves for Demko as he stops Dal Colle point blank on the powerplay, then a bit later does well to hold the puck out in a scrum. Josh Holmstrom knocks Demko over and Virtanen jumps in to wrestle Holmstrom away. The Comets get a powerplay of their own out of all that, their third of the night.

Another trait that virtanen can develop. He can take good players to the box in these scrums if he learns to walk the line a la burrows.

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3 minutes ago, Gooseberries said:

Another trait that virtanen can develop. He can take good players to the box in these scrums if he learns to walk the line a la burrows.

He's definitely got a bit of that agitator in him. I like that he's been more involved physically lately too, even when he's not scoring he has to learn he can impact the game in other ways.

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26 minutes ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

End of the second, its 2-1 Comets who hold an 18-13 advantage in shots. Demko isn't facing nearly the volume of shots he did yesterday but there have been a few tricky ones from close range and with traffic in front and he's held the fort. Cassels is having a strong game again and is showing some speed when he carries the puck. That Kunyk-Cassels-Virtanen line is starting to gel pretty well. The PK had a strong showing in that frame as well, with Archibald and Hamilton each getting sent off for separate infractions and Zalewski taking their places to cover for them. Bancks has been a standout in this one on both sides of the ice.

Can't watch today, thanks for the updates.

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The Comets win 2-1 and complete the weekend sweep with six points from three games. Great goaltending from Demko yet again, and an impressive all-around effort from what must be a tired group of skaters now. Just a fantastic three games from this team. Hamilton left the game and forced Green to rotate his centres throughout the lineup, keeping the winger pairs together. Bancks was the best Utica skater to me, with Labate and Cassels also standing out. The final shots were 28-25 with Bridgeport really pouring it on in the third and controlling most of the play trying to tie it up. Virtanen had another solid game and was involved physically; he, Cassels, and Kunyk have meshed well together although they didn't play much as a unit in the third.

 

Side note, Halak was brilliant and looks like he could still play in the NHL. Made a great save off an Archibald breakaway late, and then with 1:30 to go absolutely robbed Grenier on a one timer by just getting his toe on the shot. The Comets will remain one point out of a playoff spot with a game in hand, as St John's looks poised to beat Toronto late in the third there.

 

Three stars: Labate, Demko, Nilsson. (Nilsson made a spectacular defensive play in the third to hustle back and neutralize a Bridgeport breakaway, and was solid throughout the game.)

 

1st      
11:41 UTI Carter Bancks (8) ASST: Joseph LaBate (9), Wacey Hamilton (8)
 
2nd      
9:34 BRI Ryan Pulock (12) ASST: Devon Toews (28), Joshua Winquist (10)
 
19:19 UTI Joseph LaBate (4) ASST: Cole Cassels (5), Colby Robak (25)
 
3rd      
No Scoring

 

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20 minutes ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

The Comets win 2-1 and complete the weekend sweep with six points from three games. Great goaltending from Demko yet again, and an impressive all-around effort from what must be a tired group of skaters now. Just a fantastic three games from this team. Hamilton left the game and forced Green to rotate his centres throughout the lineup, keeping the winger pairs together. Bancks was the best Utica skater to me, with Labate and Cassels also standing out. The final shots were 28-25 with Bridgeport really pouring it on in the third and controlling most of the play trying to tie it up. Virtanen had another solid game and was involved physically; he, Cassels, and Kunyk have meshed well together although they didn't play much as a unit in the third.

 

Side note, Halak was brilliant and looks like he could still play in the NHL. Made a great save off an Archibald breakaway late, and then with 1:30 to go absolutely robbed Grenier on a one timer by just getting his toe on the shot. The Comets will remain one point out of a playoff spot with a game in hand, as St John's looks poised to beat Toronto late in the third there.

 

Three stars: Labate, Demko, Nilsson. (Nilsson made a spectacular defensive play in the third to hustle back and neutralize a Bridgeport breakaway, and was solid throughout the game.)

 

1st      
11:41 UTI Carter Bancks (8) ASST: Joseph LaBate (9), Wacey Hamilton (8)
 
2nd      
9:34 BRI Ryan Pulock (12) ASST: Devon Toews (28), Joshua Winquist (10)
 
19:19 UTI Joseph LaBate (4) ASST: Cole Cassels (5), Colby Robak (25)
 
3rd      
No Scoring

 

Thanks for the updates, StoneCold...from what you have seen has Cassels picked up his play?  Ive managed to listen to portions of utica games on the radio during the past few weeks and the announcers seem to think he is playing better...

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5 minutes ago, Darius71 said:

Thanks for the updates, StoneCold...from what you have seen has Cassels picked up his play?  Ive managed to listen to portions of utica games on the radio during the past few weeks and the announcers seem to think he is playing better...

No problem, I'm glad you like them. Last season coming off of his offseason surgery he looked sluggish and had a lot of trouble hanging with the pace of play - he got pushed off the puck too easily and was basically just filling a roster spot most nights. Green's trusting him in a defensive role now and he regularly gets penalty kill minutes as well as being out late protecting the lead. When Bridgeport pulled the goalie today, Cassels was taking the faceoff in Utica's zone in the last minute of play. His footspeed looks a lot better and he's able to create chances because of it and go after the puck in the offensive zone to make things happen.

 

I think now that he's gotten a handle on the defensive side of things, it'll hopefully allow him to grow into a bigger role next year and start chipping in offensively. He and Virtanen showed some chemistry this weekend, and you can tell those skills are still in there somewhere. He has a long way to go but he's noticeable when he plays now as opposed to last year when he was invisible so I wouldn't give up on him just yet. It might not be a bad idea to get him some opportunities on the second PP unit in the future, as he had a lot of success on the PP in junior.

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Just got home and I'm tired and all I did was watch the games this weekend.  Demko was terrific again.  Pedan and Subban were both scratched I think Subban is sick and I don't know about Pedan, who played well last night.  Tip of the cap to the coaching staff, you lose your top two pairing on D and don't miss a beat.  On top of that Assistant Captain Wacey Hamilton was hurt with a shot in the first period so Travis had to juggle the lines quite a bit and did a great job of it.  He is a wizard with that and I was surprised there were no issues on changes everything was getting mixed up so much.  He kept shifts very short and changed every chance he could, particularly on face offs when Demko held it, guys were sauntering out off the bench to maximize rest time.  Zalewski, Archibald, Grenier anchored things and dominated when they were on the ice.  The puck was in our offensive zone almost all the time when they were out there and they created some good chances.  Grenier missed a layup he needed to roof with about a minute to go off a gorgeous pass by Archie that would have sealed it, but he played well.  Cole Cassels is getting more key ice time so Travis must be happy with him lately.  Carcone came in tonight and offered some energy on the 3rd night (afternoon today actually) in a row, as did Nilsson on D.  Nilsson had a clutch play in the third when Bridgeport was sending people out of the zone early, and Nilsson tracked a guy down from behind and squared up and made a perfect play.  Not sure another D man on his 3rd night in a row would have done so well.  

 

Can't complain at all about Virtanen tonight he threw some hard checks but never went out of his way to do it, he carried the puck out and put pressure on the other team several times when we were sucking wind in our defensive zone and needed something.  He also had a nice stretch pass to Rendulic I think it was in the second period that was 2/3 of the rink and tape to tape.  Didn't know he could do that.  

 

Labate played with Bancks and Hamilton to start and Virtanen played with Valk usually, but sometimes with Cassels due to Hamilton being out.  Labate's game winning goal was a great play.  Took on 3  of their players and snapped a deceptive shot in on Halak, the $4 million man in net for the Islanders.  Another nice game by Remdulic tonight.  He has much more confidence these days.  

 

Bridgeport put some heat on Demko in the 3rd and he had to scramble for a few saves but he is doing great.  I have that feeling like the year we had Marky when he carried us.  He looks like he is having fun too.  Spoke with him after the game last night and the kid was glowing as you can imagine.  You guys are going to love him up there.  First class kid all the way.  And Rob Esche, the Comets co-owner and a former goalie himself, says the kid has a great work ethic.  

 

It's like getting bonus playoff hockey with the Comets right now.  They have to finish up strong to have a shot at the playoffs.   

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Pascal Pelletier was a scratch tonight too and he is one of those veteran AHL guys you need to win games.  

 

Should have mentioned Kunyk he is another out of the woodwork guy ala Mceneny.  He and Jake were paired tonight.  Nothing wrong with Kunyk's game.  He is thick and plays heavy but he can skate pretty well.  I dont know his contract situation but I have no problem whatsoever paying money to see him play.  Same with Valk.  Those guys aren't counting the days until the summer break that is for sure.  Hope we can re sign them. 

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1 hour ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

No problem, I'm glad you like them. Last season coming off of his offseason surgery he looked sluggish and had a lot of trouble hanging with the pace of play - he got pushed off the puck too easily and was basically just filling a roster spot most nights. Green's trusting him in a defensive role now and he regularly gets penalty kill minutes as well as being out late protecting the lead. When Bridgeport pulled the goalie today, Cassels was taking the faceoff in Utica's zone in the last minute of play. His footspeed looks a lot better and he's able to create chances because of it and go after the puck in the offensive zone to make things happen.

 

I think now that he's gotten a handle on the defensive side of things, it'll hopefully allow him to grow into a bigger role next year and start chipping in offensively. He and Virtanen showed some chemistry this weekend, and you can tell those skills are still in there somewhere. He has a long way to go but he's noticeable when he plays now as opposed to last year when he was invisible so I wouldn't give up on him just yet. It might not be a bad idea to get him some opportunities on the second PP unit in the future, as he had a lot of success on the PP in junior.

I wish Cassels showed up a little more on the score sheet but he is playing a solid defensive game right now.  He just makes those solid little plays in the defensive and neutral zones that often go unnoticed.  Great body position and great stick for taking away passing lanes. 

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