The Utica Comets (AHL) and their early free fall continued last week. Utica dropped each of their three games with the last two coming in overtime. Their losing streak now stands at four games.
Personnel-wise, it is also tough for Utica as the team has lost several key contributors to the banged-up Devils squad. Forwards Shane Lachance and Nathan Légaré as well as defensemen Ethan Edwards and Colton White are all currently with the big club.
For last week’s review click here.
Weekly Results
Syracuse 6, Comets 2; Nov. 11
The Comets were blown out in their first game of the week thanks to a five-goal barrage in the second period by Syracuse which included six unanswered goals. After playing like one of the league’s top goalies, Nico Daws was shelled for six goals on only 19 shots.
Utica actually got out to a fast start. Lenni Hämeenaho finally got his first goal, and point, of the season. That was the first period’s only goal before Syracuse exploded in the second. As mentioned, the Crunch scored the game’s next six goals, five of which came in the second period. Two of those five second-period goals came via the power play.
In the third, the Crunch scored their third power play goal of the game and sixth tally total. Ethan Edwards scored his first AHL goal late in the game. That spelled then end to the 6-2 defeat for the Comets.
As mentioned, Daws struggled, stopping 13-of-19. The Comets’ special teams were woeful, as they went 0-for-4 on the power play and 2-for-5 on the penalty kill. A theme of the season thus far.
Senators 4, Comets 3 (SO); Nov. 14
Utica’s second loss of the week was one of their two losses that came past regulation. The Comets actually got out to a good start again, going up 2-0 against the Belleville Senators. However, a chaotic third period landed the game in overtime, then a subsequent shootout.
The scoring in the contest did not start until the second period. Austin Stand and Lenni Hämeenaho scored to give Utica the aforementioned 2-0 lead. Hämeenaho’s goal was shorthanded and was his second in as many games.
The third period was when the game saw the action sky rocket. Four goals were scored in the third, three of which were unfortunately tallied by Belleville. The Senators struck for three unanswered which gave them a 3-2 lead with just under five minutes remaining. Fortunately, the Comets fought back and Brian Halonen, who was recently returned to the team, sniped one home just a mere 41 seconds after Belleville’s go-ahead tally. Angus Crookshank made a nice pass to set up Halonen.
No one scored in overtime, pushing the game to a shootout. The shootout went to five rounds with Belleville outscoring Utica 2-1. Hämeenaho had the lone tally for the Comets.
Utica outshot Belleville 28-26. Nico Daws, who started all three games in the week, stopped 23-of-26 in the loss. The team’s combined to go 0-for-7 with the man advantage.
Bruins 3, Comets 2 (OT); Nov. 15
In a reversal of Friday night’s game, Utica got down 2-0 against Providence on Saturday and had to fight back on the road. However, much like Friday’s game, the Comets came up just short, dropping the game, but still getting a point.
Providence struck for two first period goals, one of which was shorthanded, furthering Utica’s major struggles with the man advantage. The Comets were able to fight back and score one goal in the second and a tying-goal in the third to tie things up. Xavier Parent scored off a rebound in the second, then Angus Crookshank tied the game up about half way through the game’s final frame.
Utica thought they were headed for a second-straight shootout game, however, with just 10 seconds left in the overtime period, Dans Locmelis scored his second goal of the game to win it for the Bruins.
Daws, who sweep the week with three starts, was very strong, fending off 42 of the 45 shots that Providence threw his way. Utica had a nice night generating chances as well, as they were able to put forth 36 shots of their own. One again, the Comets went scoreless on the power play (three opportunities), but this time worsened their special teams woes by giving up a shorthanded goal.
Statistic Update
Special teams stay a huge issue for the Comets. Their power play went 0-for-9 over their three-game week of play. On the season, the unit is only converting at a 10.9% rate which ranks 29th in the league. On the flip side, despite their penalty kill ending the week perfect over their last two games, it gave up three power play goals on Tuesday. Their penalty kill ranks 24th in the league. If you combined both of their special teams units success rates, the Comets and their 89.3% ranks second-worst in the league.
Offensively, overall, Utica just has not been good enough. Utica’s 23 goals ranks third-worst in the league but the two teams below them have played less games. Only five Comets have posted at least five points this season. These consist of Xavier Parent (seven), Angus Crookshank (six), Mike Hardman (six), Matyas Melovksy (five), and Ethan Edwards (five). One of which are defenseman and two are rookies. If Utica wants to turn things around, the offensive output must improve.
Standings Update
The Comets record now sits at 2-8-2-1 on the season. Their seven points rank last in the North Division and seven points back of the Toronto Marlies for the fifth and final playoff spot in the division. Utica is tied for the 30th-most points in the 32-team league.
Upcoming Schedule
After having their first three-game slate of the season this past week, the Comets are back to two games this upcoming week. On Friday, they will play the Springfield Thunderbirds for the first time this season. Then, the next day, they will welcome in the Rochester Americans to Utica. Springfield is the only team with less points in the league than the Comets (six points; 2-10-1-1) while Rochester’s 10-6-0-0 record is the sixth-best in the league.