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2016-17 Utica Comets Thread


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3-0 Phantoms at the end of two, shots are 30-13 for Utica. The Comets have had their fair share of chances but Lyon has been equal to the task and shut the door on everything. Despite the score, Garteig has made a couple of nice saves including a nice glove stop on Zengerle who got a breakaway off of a high lob pass. A couple of bad defensive lapses leaving players wide open in the slot on goals 1 and 3 have compounded things for Garteig who has had long stretches of play where he's faced no shots and then had to suddenly react to a flurry of activity in the Comets zone. The Valk and Pelletier lines have been the two best units for the Comets; the Zalewski unit hasn't been as effective as usual due to Roy being a bit of a passenger on that line.

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17 minutes ago, UticaHockey said:

The Comets were a better team when Pedan was a healthy scratch the previous two games. He hasn't been good tonight at all.

I don't like the Pedan-Sautner pairing. Just seems like a mismatch since both are the type to make poor decisions with the puck, although I thought Sautner had been playing a safe game in the recent winning streak. I wonder if something is still nagging Nilsson injury-wise? Since he seems to be a frequent scratch despite having a solid weekend last week

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7 minutes ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

3-0 Phantoms at the end of two, shots are 30-13 for Utica. The Comets have had their fair share of chances but Lyon has been equal to the task and shut the door on everything. Despite the score, Garteig has made a couple of nice saves including a nice glove stop on Zengerle who got a breakaway off of a high lob pass. A couple of bad defensive lapses leaving players wide open in the slot on goals 1 and 3 have compounded things for Garteig who has had long stretches of play where he's faced no shots and then had to suddenly react to a flurry of activity in the Comets zone. The Valk and Pelletier lines have been the two best units for the Comets; the Zalewski unit hasn't been as effective as usual due to Roy being a bit of a passenger on that line.

Thanks for the update. I checked out this thread hoping to get answers some questions and your post pretty much told me what I wanted to know. The Comets have had a good run. Can't really complain if they lose tonight given that they are outplaying a good team. Still hope they get on the scoreboard and come back strong tomorrow when I guess Demko will be back in the net.

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Tough night overall for the Comets tonight. They snap their 6 game win streak tonight. Archibald got in a fight with Morin late in the game after the Phantoms notched am empty netter. Kunyk got on the board late in the 3rd to pull one back off a faceoff win by Valk and Virtanen shot one and the rebound was potted home by Kunyk. Overall, it was a frustrating night. Need to bounce back tomorrow night at the Aud vs Binghamton. Go Comets!

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That's a wrap, 4-1 the final. The Phantoms added an empty netter with five seconds, and Archibald drops the gloves with Morin. Archi had been involved with a few different Phantom players throughout the game and frustration finally boils over. Final shots are 37-26 for Utica, as Lehigh Valley racked up some shots in the third and tested Garteig who managed to hold his own. Overall, not a bad game for the Comets but they ran into a hot goaltender and when that happens you can't afford to make defensive zone mistakes like they did - Pedan in particular had a rough game and his pairing with Sautner was on the ice for the first and third goal which were both caused by poor coverage in front of the net. Virtanen had a decent game with several shots on goal but most were from the outside - he also had a few where he just flat out missed the net. He has a great shot but the accuracy and control is something he'll have to refine. Carcone was all over the ice and showcased the craftiness that made him stand out in preseason, but wasn't able to accomplish anything. Another nice game from McEneny as well as Robak; Subban had a respectable outing as well.

 

Lehigh Valley sweeps the season series with the Comets, who fall to three points back of the final playoff spot with two games in hand as St John's won its game vs Syracuse in overtime today. They'll play again tomorrow vs Binghamton at 12:00 pst.

 

1st      
0:41 LV Colin McDonald (22) ASST: Scott Laughton (17), Cole Bardreau (14)
 
9:34 LV T.J. Brennan (18) ASST: Andy Miele (35), Greg Carey (19) (PP)
 
2nd      
12:16 LV Nicolas Aube-Kubel (8) ASST: Andy Miele (36), Chris Conner (30)
 
3rd      
13:16 UTI Cody Kunyk (12) ASST: Jake Virtanen (8), Curtis Valk (24)
 
19:34 LV Travis Sanheim (10) ASST: None (EN)
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1 hour ago, gameburn2 said:

I notice that Valk is on the score-sheet pretty regularly.  Is Valk NHL potential?  We hear about the size thing... but there are some good small forwards now.

I don't know if he can be an NHL regular, but he's very crafty and has great offensive hockey sense. He needs the right linemates (preferably players with a little more muscle) to be successful and isn't suited for a 4th line role so it might be tough for him to carve out a role with the Canucks, but I wouldn't count him out as he's been able to grind his way up from the ECHL to being an AHL top six guy. He could be an interesting option for the Canucks to sign next year so they can retain him with the Comets and perhaps use him as a call-up if needed.

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2 hours ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

I don't know if he can be an NHL regular, but he's very crafty and has great offensive hockey sense. He needs the right linemates (preferably players with a little more muscle) to be successful and isn't suited for a 4th line role so it might be tough for him to carve out a role with the Canucks, but I wouldn't count him out as he's been able to grind his way up from the ECHL to being an AHL top six guy. He could be an interesting option for the Canucks to sign next year so they can retain him with the Comets and perhaps use him as a call-up if needed.

I think that if skill permeates a franchise (i.e., its valued at all levels) I think it helps make everyone a bit better -- you can learn more as a player.  It sounds like Valk would be worth keeping around regardless of whether he is lock with the Canucks.  

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11 hours ago, stonecoldstevebernier said:

I don't know if he can be an NHL regular, but he's very crafty and has great offensive hockey sense. He needs the right linemates (preferably players with a little more muscle) to be successful and isn't suited for a 4th line role so it might be tough for him to carve out a role with the Canucks, but I wouldn't count him out as he's been able to grind his way up from the ECHL to being an AHL top six guy. He could be an interesting option for the Canucks to sign next year so they can retain him with the Comets and perhaps use him as a call-up if needed.

I have loved the way Valk plays from the very first time he played in the pre-season games 2/3 years ago. He had a couple of bad injuries in that time (one which hindered his path imo to the Canucks) but he keeps fighting back and I would have loved to see him get a prolonged try-out in Vancouver. I hope we sign him for next season.

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The Comets are underway vs Binghamton, with Demko back in goal for the Comets. Pedan is a scratch once again, while the forward group remains the same. Chris Driedger is in goal for the Sens.

 

Archibald-Zalewski-Roy

Kunyk-Valk-Virtanen

Carcone-Pelletier-Rendulic

Bancks-Cassels-Clark

 

Billins-Shields

McEneny-Subban

Sautner-Robak

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3 hours ago, alfstonker said:

I have loved the way Valk plays from the very first time he played in the pre-season games 2/3 years ago. He had a couple of bad injuries in that time (one which hindered his path imo to the Canucks) but he keeps fighting back and I would have loved to see him get a prolonged try-out in Vancouver. I hope we sign him for next season.

I hope so too, I think he's earned it with his play this year, and I bet he'd have seen some call-up action this year if he was on an NHL deal. I hope that management's continued willingness to keep him in the organization the past couple of years is a sign that they see the same indicators of potential.

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Just now, stonecoldstevebernier said:

2-0 Comets! Another powerplay goal, with Rendulic sniping one from in close past Driedger. Valk made the pass from behind the net which hit Archibald in front and deflected onto Rendulic's stick. Should be the same three in on the first goal getting points on this one.

Demko get the start?

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Just now, stonecoldstevebernier said:

Yep, and he's looked like his usual self so far.

 

Comets are getting another powerplay chance with about 30 seconds left here...

You watch alot of utica games eh? How are you watching them may I ask?

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