After gaining a lot of momentum in prior weeks, the Utica Comets (AHL) lost both of their games this past week. Granted, it was two very tough tests, against the third-ranked team in the Atlantic Division and the North Division’s second-best team. Regardless, Utica only picking up a single point across these two games set them back a tad further in their race to regain relevancy in the North Division playoff race.
For last week’s review, click here.
Weekly Results
Bruins 5, Comets 1; Feb. 14
The Providence Bruins took it to Utica in the Comets’ first game of the week. After Utica notched the game up at 1-1 early in period two, thanks to a power-play goal from Ryan Schmelzer (12), the Bruins scored four unanswered goals en route to a 5-1 victory.
In the contest, Utica was outshoot 38-27, making it a busy day for Comets goalie Nico Daws. Daws stopped 33 of the 37 he faced, as one of the five Providence tallies was an empty-net goal. The Comets power play went 1-for-4, while their kill was a perfect 3-for-3. Most of the Bruins damage came at even strength.
Americans 4, Comets 3 (OT); Feb. 15
It was a much-better showing for the Comets in their second and final game of the week. Against the North Division’s second-best team, Utica was unable to hold a lead, but they did tally a point thanks to an overtime loss.
Nathan Légaré (6) got the scoring started for Utica, as the teams then exchanged goals the rest of the way. In the second period, Rochester outscored Utica 2-1, with the Comets’ lone goal coming from Jack Malone (7) assisted by Xavier Parent (10) and Simon Nemec (18). After two periods, the score was 2-2.
Brian Halonen delivered what seemed like, for a while, was the game-winning goal. He scored 5:22 into the final frame, his 17th of the season, which saw Parent pick up another assist. However, with under three minutes left, Rochester tied the game up, forcing the contest to overtime. An overtime tripping penalty by Nolan Foote gave the Americans an extra-frame power play, in which they took advantage and captured the 4-3 decision.
Despite the loss, Utica outshoot Rochester 32-29. Isaac Poulter started the second game of the back-to-back, after Daws played the night before. He stopped only 25 of the 29 shots he faced. Parent was the lone Comet to tally two points, he was also tied for the team-lead in shots with five.
Statistics Update
Nico Daws got a start at the NHL level with the New Jersey Devils before the 4 Nations break and looked fantastic, stopping 25-of-27 against Pittsburgh in a 3-2 shootout win. However, his season in the AHL has gone nowhere near as strong. After his tough showing against Providence, Daws now owns a 0.889 save percentage and a 5-15-1 record for the Comets.
Despite the tough week, Xavier Parent had a big game in the overtime loss. He had two assists and five shots. On the season, he sits at 21 points in 34 games. His scoring pace is slightly down from last year, however, his all-around game seems to have taken a step forward. It’ll be interesting to see if the 23-year-old will ever develop enough to be a legit contributor at the NHL level.
Standings Update
It was a tough week for the Comets in the standings. Thanks to their two losses, their 17-22-4-2 record now sits seven points off sixth-place Belleville, after being only three behind to begin the week. Utica sits at 11 points back of the Syracuse Crunch, who own the North Division’s final playoff spot. Utica has three games in hand over Syracuse, though.
Upcoming Schedule
After a relatively quiet two-week stretch in terms of games play, things will pick up for the Comets this week. The Comets have four games, starting with two straight against the team directly ahead of them in the standings. Utica takes on the Belleville Senators Monday and Wednesday, with the home game being the second one. Utica then finishes off their week with another matchup against Providence on Friday and a trip to Bridgeport, against the league-worst Islanders, on Saturday.