The Utica Comets (AHL) split their two games over the last week. The first one was a blowout loss, while the Comets got some revenge later in the week against a North Division rival. Also, as a result of Friday’s trade deadline, there has been some shuffling as it relates to the Comets’ roster.
For last week’s review, click here.
Weekly Results
Rockets 5, Comets 1; Mar. 5
The Comets got a look at the Laval Rockets and found themselves on the back foot immediately. Laval struck just two minutes into the game, then twice more before the first period ended. Utica answered back late, via an Adam Beckman tally, with just 13 seconds left in the frame to decrease Laval’s lead to 3-1 after one period.
There was no scoring in the second, then Laval tallied two more to end the game in the third period. One of which was a power play goal. Despite the four-goal loss, Utica and Laval both had 32 shots, and the Comets actually outshot Laval in the first and second periods.
Isaac Poulter was in net for the loss. He was only able to stop 27-of-32. The Comets’ power play went 0-for-4.
Comets 4, Crunch 1; Mar. 7
The Comets needed a big response after their blowout loss earlier in the week and got it against the team currently occupying the last playoff spot in the North Division. Utica started out quick, scoring two power play goals right at the beginning of the first period and right at the end. Joe Gambardella got the first goal, his fifth of the season, and assisted on the second, which was scored by Nathan Légaré.
The Syracuse Crunch responded back in the second period, to get the deficit back to one. However, the Comets scored two more in the third to ice the game and a 4-1 victory. Légaré (11) struck again 8:27 into period three while Gambardella (6) iced the game with an empty net goal.
Utica went to Nico Daws in net, and although he was not too busy, he was strong, stopping 17-of-18 in the win. Légaré had one of the best games of his career, potting two goals and tallying two assists for a four point game. Veteran Gambardella had a three point game. Utica went 2-for-3 on the power play, helping them to the victory.
Notable Transactions
With the NHL trade deadline passing on Friday, there was some turnover in the AHL for the Comets. The team lost forwards Adam Beckman (Islanders) and Chase Stillman (Pittsburgh) as well as defenseman Daniil Misyul (Bruins).
Beckman was second on the team in points with 33. He was acquired in the offseason in exchange for Graeme Clarke. The 23-year-old Beckman was traded to the Islanders in exchange for defenseman Dennis Cholowski.
Cholowski is a 27-year-old who plays on the left side. He began his career in Detroit, where he played 104 games before moving to Washington, then Seattle, before finally finding his way to New York with the Islanders. Since moving to Long Island, he had played in 35 NHL games and 141 with Bridgeport in the AHL. He was not sent down after the trade, and actually played in the Devils’ 3-1 victory over Philadelphia, so if he has any impact with Utica remains a question.
Additionally, the Comets also departed with Stillman, who only had nine points in 46 games, as well as Misyul, who had eight points in 47 games. Stillman, a former first-round pick, was dealt to Pittsburgh as a part of the Cody Glass deal while Misyul, a former third-round pick, was sent to Boston exchange for a minor leaguer.
Forward Jonathan Gruden, acquired in the Glass/Stillman deal, was an undrafted free agent out of the OHL (66 points in 59 games for the London Knights in his final junior league season). He then signed with the Penguins’ organization, where he has played 16 NHL games with the Penguins and 250 with Wilkes-Barre in the AHL. His best AHL scoring output was 31 points in 2022-23. He has 13 points in 42 games this season, to go along with 48 penalty minutes.
The Devils received 25-year-old Marc McLaughlin, a Massachusetts native, in the deal for Misyul. After captaining Boston College for two seasons to end his collegiate career, he was signed as an undrafted free agent into the Bruins’ organization. He has scored six goals across 26 NHL games and has 58 points in 169 AHL games with Providence. McLaughlin has 14 points in 34 AHL games this season after only having 14 in 68 games last year. His career-best season was 30 points in 66 games his first full AHL season in 2022-23.
Statistic Update
Nathan Légaré is arguably having the best season of his professional career. The 2019 third-round pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins is up to 11 goals and five assists in 51 games. He is on pace for 22 points and 110 penalty minutes, which would each be career highs. The 11 goals he has scored already this season is a career best. Specifically, over his last five games he has seven points (four goals, three assists).
Goaltender Nico Daws has turned in two straight very strong outings. Over his last two starts, he has stopped 47-of-50, which is good for a 0.940 save percentage. Daws really struggled to begin the season, allowing three-or-more goals in four straight to begin the season. However, he was settled in nicely and has his save percentage up to 0.892 on the season.
Standing Update
After the 1-1 week, the Comets stayed the same distance back from a playoff position as they were last week. Utica is eight points back of both Syracuse and Belleville for the fifth position in the North Division, which is the last playoff spot awarded. Utica sits at 23-25-4-2 on the season.
Upcoming Schedule
After only have two games last week, the Comets will play three this upcoming week. They’ll start with a trip to Syracuse against the team occupying the last playoff spot in the North; the Crunch. Then, Utica will end the week with a home-and-home, back-to-back set against the Laval Rockets. Laval owns the best record in the AHL.