Coming off the AHL All-Star Classic break, the Utica Comets had two huge games against teams directly surrounding them in the North Division playoff race. Thanks to offensive outbursts by Nolan Foote and captain Ryan Schmelzer, the Comets won both games, as they continue their climb to relevancy in the North Division playoff race.
For last week’s review, click here.
Note, Seamus Casey returned to action after missing with an injury since December 14.
Weekly Results
Comets 4, Crunch 2; Feb. 7
In their first game back from break, the Comets took on the current holder of the final playoff spot in the North Division; the Syracuse Crunch. Thanks to a huge third period, Utica started the week off with a win.
The Crunch actually got the scoring started, as the teams exchanged goals until the third period. Adam Beckman (10) got Utica’s first period tally and Brian Halonen scored his team-leading 16th goal with under a minute left in period two to knot the game at two after two frames.
The third period saw the Comets score the game’s first consecutive goals, as Utica scored the game’s last three goals overall. With about five minutes left in the contest, Xavier Parent scored the game-winning goal, his 10th of the season assisted by Ryan Schmelzer (12) and Max Willman (14). Schmelzer then got a second point minutes later as he iced the game with an empty-net goal, giving the Comets the 4-2 win.
Isaac Poulter got the win for Utica, continuing his stretch of strong play by stopping 28-of-30. Schmelzer was the only Comet to tally multiple points, as he had a goal and an assist. Both teams went 1-for-3 on their respective power plays.
Comets 3, Senators 2 (OT); Feb. 8
In the second game of a weekend back-to-back, the Comets took on the team directly above them in the standings. Despite a sluggish start, the Comets rebounded as Seamus Casey scored the winner in overtime in his second game back.
Belleville got out to a very quick start, blitzing Jeremy Brodeur and the Comets with two quick goals. Utica, however, responded on the power play as Nolan Foote got his 14th of the season to end the first period. After the three-goal first period, the only other goal in regulation was another Foote tally (15), which was unassisted just 47 seconds into period two.
With the score tied at two, the teams entered overtime. It did not take long at all for Utica to clinch the game’s second point and the 3-2 victory, as Seamus Casey scored a beautiful goal right off the faceoff nine seconds into the extra frame.
Brodeur stopped 21-of-23 in the victory, his second AHL win of his career. The Comets and Senators both had 23 shots in the game. Utica’s special teams unit was strong, going 1-for-1 on the power play and holding Belleville to 0-for-3 on their power play.
Statistic Update
Nolan Foote continued his quietly strong season over the past week, posting three points (two goals, one assist). He has four points over his last three games and now a team-leading 30 points in 38 games on the season. You would expect at some point the 25-year-old gets another chance at the NHL level.
Captain Ryan Schmelzer exploded for a career-high 52 points in 72 games last season. This year, he is on pace for 40, which would be the second-highest of the 30-year-old’s career. He has really picked it up as of late, with five points in his last four and 11 points over his last 11 games.
Adam Beckman, who should be regarded as a top-12 prospect in the Devils’ system, also had another strong week. He had a point in each game, extending his point streak to three games. He now has six points over his last six games. The 23-year-old is on pace for 51 points this year, which would eclipse his previous career-high by 15.
Standings Update
After starting the season with 13-straight losses, any chance at being close to playoff contention seemed far fetched. Well, since that start, the Comets have gotten a point in 19 of their last 30 games (17-11-2). As a result, they’re right back in the thick of the race.
What was so important about the past week was Utica defeated both teams are they chasing for a playoff spot in the North Division. Utica’s 17-21-3-2 record gives them 39 points. This figure is three off the No. 6 Senators and nine off the No. 5 Crunch, who occupy the final playoff spot in the North. Utica also has two less games played than the Crunch.
Upcoming Schedule
The Comets have another lighter schedule coming up, as they are only slated to play two more games this coming week. Utica is set for a Friday game in Providence against the Bruins before finishing the week off Saturday, at home, against the Rochester Americans. The Bruins sit fourth in the Atlantic Division while the Americans are second in the North, which means, two tough games upcoming for the Comets.