Much like 2024-25, this season has gotten off to an extremely troublesome start for the New Jersey Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. Utica has seen their losing streak to begin the season hit six games as they dropped two more multi-goal losses this past week. Meanwhile, their two most promising prospects, are both pointless through the first six.
Encouragingly, Utica got a reinforcement in the form of defenseman Seamus Casey. He returned to the Comets after recovering from a preseason injury. He skated in his first game of the season Saturday, posting an assist.
For last week’s review, click here.
Weekly Results
Syracuse 3, Comets 0; Oct. 24
In the first game of the week, the Comets were shutout by the Syracuse Crunch. Jakub Malék got the start and played quite well, keeping Utica in the game with 31 saves.
Syracuse’s three goals came in the second and third periods. The first goal of the game came with 4:02 left in period two. Then, they scored two more goals in the third frame, one of which was on the power play. That was all the scoring in the game as the Crunch cruised to a 3-0 victory.
As mentioned, Malék was strong stopping 31-of-33. Utica was only able to muster 19 shots. Utica went 2-for-3 on the penalty kill and did not receive a single power play in the game.
Rockets 4, Comets 2; Oct. 25
It was a little more of a tightly contested game on Saturday, however, Utica still fell by multiple goals. Both teams traded goals in the first period. Thomas Bordeleau scored off an Ethan Edwards point shot. Edwards did a great job making that play happen. Jackson van de Leest, who made his season debut, got the secondary assist.
Unfortunately for the Comets, Laval scored three unanswered tallies following into the third period. Utica struck late on the power play, as Mike Hardman got his first of the season. Seamus Casey, making his season debut, got the primary assist as it was hit shot that was redacted home. Xavier Parent picked up the secondary, as he extended his team-point lead.
As a result of that late power play goal, the Comets only fell 4-2. Utica outshot Laval 31-28 and kept the Rockets scoreless on the power play (0-for-3). Despite this, Jakub Malék, who started in back-to-back games, was only able to make 24 stops. The first goal he allowed was another woeful misplay, reminiscent of a play he made earlier in the year that also directly resulted in a goal against.
Statistic Update
The six straight losses are certainly an issue, however, two of the team’s top prospects behind scoreless through six games is just as much of a problem. Lenni Hämeenaho and Shane Lachance each do not have a point yet this season. Skating in mainly a top-six role, this is extremely troublesome for each, especially since they were projected to play a role for the Comets at some point this season.
It has also been a tough start for another top-10 prospect in the team’s system, Jakub Malék. Malék, after making back-to-back starts on consecutive days, has seen his season save percentage drop to 0.856 through four games. His Friday performance was encouraging, as it was the best through his young North American professional career. However, the early season performances have been subpar.
Standings Update
Last season, Utica lost 13 in a row to begin the season. Through six games this year, they are 0-5-1. Utica is one of two teams in the AHL who are winless (Texas Stars). As far as the North Division goes, they are already five points back from the fourth/fifth-placed Toronto Marlies and Cleveland Monsters for the final playoff spot.
Upcoming Schedule
The Comets have two more games coming up this week. They play Syracuse again, on the road, Friday at 7:00 pm ET. Then, the next day, on Saturday, they play their first game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins at 6:00 pm ET. Laval is 4-3-0-0 on the season while the Penguins are a perfect 7-0-0-0. The Penguins are one of two undefeated teams in the league thus far (Grand Rapid Griffins).