Utica Comets Post-Game Report

Game #1

At Binghamton Devils

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Saturday, October 5th, 2019

7:05 pm Eastern/4:05 pm Pacific

Pre-Game

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Post-Game

Scratched Today For Utica

Seamus Malone: C/LW – week-to-week, upper-body injury. AHL deal Francis Perron: LW/C – day-to-day, injured. NHL deal Richard Bachman: G – healthy. NHL deal Stefan LeBlanc: LD – healthy. AHL deal Dylan Blujus: RD – healthy. AHL deal Alex Biega: RD – in transit. NHL deal Mitch Eliot: RD – healthy. NHL deal Sven Baertschi: LW – in transit. NHL deal Nikolay Goldobin: LW – in transit. NHL deal

Scratched for the Comets tonight: Bachman, LeBlanc, Blujus, Malone (injured), Perron (injured), Biega, Baertschi, Eliot, Goldobin.#UTIvsBNG — Utica Comets (@UticaComets) October 5, 2019

Some pre-game guesses from Twitter

Hope Rafferty kills it out there, one goal and one assist! — Curtyg49 (@Curtyg491) October 5, 2019

Big Mac is gonna open the scoring (score 2)

have a huge impact every time he hits the ice

earning him 1st star bragging right 😊 — BurrowsGirl (@CYochmans) October 5, 2019

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Utica Victor! Say 5-2. — Michael Paweska (@mrpaweska) October 5, 2019

Lind with the goal — Harpsama (@harpsama) October 5, 2019

MacEwen 2 points

Lind- 2 points

Sven – 3 points

Jasek – 2 points

Boucher – 2 points

Rafferty- 1st AHL point — Bro. Do your dekes. 💗BOTCH (@priored) October 5, 2019

1+1 for Lind. — Darryl Keeping (@dkeeping) October 5, 2019

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Comets 5-3 victory. — Bro. Do your dekes. 💗BOTCH (@priored) October 5, 2019

4-2 comets with heavy crashing and banging from the visitors. — Jeff Affleck (@AffleckJeff) October 5, 2019

2 point night for #thebigfella — Ryan Little (@rLittle67) October 5, 2019

Lind from Juolevi on the PP — Ryan Bentley (@BentleytheGreat) October 5, 2019

No top 6 or PP1 time for any Canucks prospects — Rob misses Botch (@Indy__Robin) October 5, 2019

Boucher 2 goals one assist — Norm Warn (@normy99) October 5, 2019

Comets Starting Lines

(First line/defensive pair listed started the game, the remainder are in no particular order)

21 Jonah Gadjovich – 44 Tyler Graovac – 15 Zack MacEwen (A)

24 Reid Boucher – 19 Carter Camper – 13 Kole Lind

34 Carter Bancks (C) – 9 Lukas Jasek – 95 Justin Bailey

18 Vincent Arseneau – 36 Wacey Hamilton (A) – 26 Dyson Stevenson

48 Olli Juolevi – 6 Ashton Sautner

55 Guillaume Brisebois – 25 Brogan Rafferty

4 Josh Teves – 5 Jalen Chatfield

31 Zane McIntyre

64 Michael DiPietro

First Period

The first period of the season saw the Comets control the bulk of the play, but they would finish the frame down 1-0 on the scoreboard.

Guillaume Brisebois got things started with an early point shot through traffic that was gloved down by Devils’ goaltender Evan Cormier.

At the other end, Brogan Rafferty did nice work to pinch his man off along the boards to force a turnover and an eventual zone exit. There was some back and forth early on as both teams were getting their regular season legs under them

The Devils were getting some chances early, but they were putting most of their shots off the target.

Wacey Hamilton was sprung for a rush by a snappy Ashton Sautner breakout pass and he set Vincent Arseneau up for a scoring chance that was denied by the Binghamton netminder. Tyler Graovac followed up with a nice bit of footwork to get into a lane to make his play, dishing to Zack MacEwen, who saw his shot turned aside by Cormier.

That’s when things got a little dicey for a minute as Michael Paliotta hit Gadjovich from behind and earned himself a boarding penalty. The Comets athletic trainer had to make an early appearance, but Gadjovich would be okay.

The Comets ended up with a power play and we saw Trent Cull’s first unit climb over the boards. Olli Juolevi, Reid Boucher, Zack MacEwen, Carter Camper, and Kole Lind made up that unit, while Tyler Graovac, Jonah Gadjovich, Justin Bailey, Lukas Jasek, and Brogan Rafferty formed the second unit.

Camper had a pair of early chances that were denied before Ryan Schmelzer had his short-handed chance denied by Zane McIntyre at the other end. Olli Juolevi had a nice point shot that was gobbled up by Cormier before the second unit made their appearance. The Comets would come up empty.

The Comets nearly scored soon after as Graovac dug into his bag of disco tricks and whipped out the moves to get into position with the puck. He hit Gadjovich with a cross-ice feed that was fired on the net. Cormier made the stop, but Lukas Jasek put the puck behind him anyway. Unfortunately, the puck was deemed to be kicked in and the goal did not count.

Kole Lind was playing an aggressive game on the forecheck today and was also making some nifty plays. The opening frame looked like a good one for the second-year forward to my eye.

The Devils got some action in the Comets end as Ben Street let fly with a shot that was swallowed up by McIntyre before Rafferty showed some poise to break up a play just inside the Utica blue line. A Marion Studenic backhander came next and McIntyre was ready with the save.

Newcomer Justin Bailey told me at training camp that he wanted to bring more of a physical presence this year and he looked to be doing that in the first period with some solid work along the boards.

Blake Speers was dinged for a high stick at the 9:38 mark and it was back to the power play for Utica. The Comets rolled out the same first unit and they had a tough time getting going. The second unit didn’t fare a whole lot better as Rafferty coughed up the puck and McIntyre had to make a pair of shorthanded saves.

To make matters worse, Jonah Gadjovich was dinged for hooking at the 11:33 mark and the Comets would find themselves shorthanded.

Trent Cull rolled out a first unit kill of Jalen Chatfield, Ashton Sautner, Wacey Hamilton, and Carter Bancks. That foursome was replaced by Brisebois, Juolevi, Graovac, and Bailey. Bailey and Graovac looked to be clicking as a forward duo on that kill.

Unfortunately, the Devils would open the scoring just after the penalty ended as Nathan Bastian took a feed from Mikhail Maltsev after a Wacey Hamilton shot block landed right on his stick. The goal was the first of the season for Bastian, while Maltsev picked up his first helper of the year and Julian Melchiori did the same. The goal came at the 13:34 mark.

Jonah Gadjovich followed up that goal with a nice shot off the right side that was denied by Cormier before Michael Paliotta went the other way with a shot of his own that was turned aside by McIntyre.

The Comets fourth line featured a couple of guys who like to make their presence felt with physical play and that’s just what Vincent Arseneau and Dyson Stevenson did as the pair were running around a little bit.

As mentioned earlier, Lind was having himself a game and he showed some nice hands with a feed to Carter Camper for a chance that was denied. The Graovac line followed up with some pressure late in the period before Lind made another good play to keep the puck in the offensive zone, but the Comets were unable to capitalize.

Utica finished the period with a 13-6 advantage on the shot clock but found themselves down 1-0 on the scoreboard. The Comets went 0/2 with the man advantage in the opening frame and went 0/1 on the penalty kill. Maybe the second period would be better.

Second Period

Better it was, indeed. Zane McIntyre wasn’t as busy as his counterpart at the other end of the ice, but he was big when he needed to be. He had to come up with a big save early after Juolevi turned over the puck. The young blueliner made up for that gaff moments later when he dished a sweet stretch pass up the ice, leading to the tying goal.

Reid Boucher was originally credited with the goal after it looked like it went in off of him for his first of the season just 1:23 in. It was later deemed that Boucher never touched the puck, so Carter Camper earned his first goal of the year, while Kole Lind and Olli Juolevi each grabbed a helper. We would be hearing more from Lind before this night was over.

The first goal of the season belongs to Reid Boucher!#UTIvsBNG pic.twitter.com/3c0oK9soNO — Utica Comets (@UticaComets) October 6, 2019

It took less than a minute for Lind to earn his second assist of the game as he whipped out a beauty of a feed to set Boucher up for his first goal of the campaign. Lukas Jasek also earned a helper on this one.

Then he added his second of the season just 1:07 later!#UTIvsBNG pic.twitter.com/3udvInHNIz — Utica Comets (@UticaComets) October 6, 2019

Just like that, the good guys were up 2-1 and we were only 2:16 into the middle frame. The goals, they would keep coming before this period finished.

Dyson Stevenson sent a nifty feed to Josh Teves for a shot that was denied, as were the Arseneau and Chatfield rebound chances that came soon after. Juolevi followed up with a shot of his own, but Cormier flashed the leather for the save.

You could see some early chemistry developing between Kole Lind and Reid Boucher. It will be interesting to see if the young winger’s big game was enough to keep him on Boucher’s flank once Sven Baertschi and Nikolay Goldobin arrive on the scene.

Guillaume Brisebois was having a nice start to his season as well. He looked to pair rather nicely with Brogan Rafferty and he looked confident in his game. Brisebois always seems to play his best when he keeps things simple and trusts his skill set. The young blueliner was getting some shots through today and we saw a one-timer get swallowed up by Cormier for another save.

This middle frame was all Utica.

Jonah Gadjovich was also having a solid game today. He was lined up with Tyler Graovac and Zack MacEwen to form a line that Comets play-by-play man Joe Roberts described as “over 19-feet of man.” The trio did some great work in this one, even if they were held off the scoresheet. Gadjovich had a nice chance from the slot denied before tipping a Brisebois point shot on the net for another chance that was denied by Cormier.

Justin Bailey was playing a physical game today, but it was his flashes of speed that really made a person take notice. He can flat out fly. The speedy winger picked up his first of the season when he ripped a shot right through Cormier to put the Comets up 3-1 at the 6:50 mark of the second period. Carter Bancks picked up the lone helper on the play.

Olli Juolevi’s season will be a work in progress. We hear a lot about how Quinn Hughes is a high-risk/high-reward player, and while Juolevi does not make the same kinds of flashy plays, he will also make risky plays that will burn him. The young rearguard was burned a few times on plays tonight, but he also showed those flashes of what will make him a valuable player once he’s up to speed. He was showing a really nice passing game tonight, even if a few of those passes ended up making us hold our breath when they went sour on him.

Vincent Arseneau kind of only knows how to play the game one way. The human cannonball was barreling around the ice again tonight, as he has been known to do, and he absolutely blew up Ryan Schmelzer at the Comets blue line.

TheBigFella followed BigVinny’s lead and threw a solid hit of his own that lead to Tyler Graovac getting a shot away that was denied.

At the other end of the ice, Zane McIntyre had to come up with a save through traffic before whipping out the blocker for another stop off of a point shot.

We saw some back and forth before Bailey turned on the jets on the backcheck and used his long reach to foil a scoring chance. Have I mentioned yet how fast Bailey is? He’s actually kind of ridiculous. It’s one thing to see a guy like former Comets forward Michael Carcone flying around the ice at five-foot-ten inches. It is quite another to see all six-foot-four of Bailey blowing the doors off of opposing players as though they are standing still. I think I will be enjoying Mr. Bailey’s wheels this year in Utica.

Lukas Jasek found himself between the potent duo of Boucher and Lind for another shift and he nearly ended up with another point for his efforts. Jasek hit Lind with a nice pass that Lind quickly moved to Boucher for a chance that was deflected out of play.

At the other end of the ice, McIntyre gloved down a shot off the draw and held for a whistle.

Guillaume Brisebois would put the good guys up 4-1 with his first of the year after Boucher teed him up for a shot that beat Cormier. Boucher earned his second point of the game and first helper of the year on the play, while Kole Lind added to his totals with his third assist of the night. That’s a pretty solid start for Lind after his rookie season was full of injuries and inconsistent results.

Hard work in the corner from @klind13. Slick pass from Boucher. Beautiful finish from @GBrisebois55. Teamwork at it's finest.#UTIvsBNG pic.twitter.com/s1KjiQCYCX — Utica Comets (@UticaComets) October 6, 2019

Zack MacEwen was looking to make it five unanswered goals when he let fly with a shot, but Cormier gobbled up his offering.

Brandon Baddock was whistled for a high-stick at the 14:30 mark and he got an extra two minutes for causing a leak.

Lukas Jasek had a one-timer kicked aside after a nice set-up from Bailey before Gadjovich showed some nice work as the net-front presence with a couple of sharp plays from in front.

As mentioned earlier, Juolevi can make the odd miscue that doesn’t look so great and he made one of those that lead to another shorthanded chance, but all was good in the end.

We saw a bit of a wrinkle on this four-minute power play as Rafferty and Bailey showed up on a unit with Boucher, Camper, and MacEwen. Bailey uncorked a one-timer that he couldn’t get through and the Comets came up empty-handed on this one.

I know the team was up 4-1, but it was still nice to see Jonah Gadjovich out in the final minute of the period. Doing well in those situations will only help his bid to establish himself as a regular in the lineup.

Wacey Hamilton was also out in the final minute and he sent Dyson Stevenson in for a chance that was denied before Josh Jacobs was dinged for hooking at the 19:48 mark. Hey, look at that… it wasn’t the Comets taking a penalty late in the period. That would be nice to see continuing throughout the season.

Carter Camper had a shot denied and the Comets would head into the third period up three goals with a power play to work with. The Comets outshot the Devils 16-6 in the second period.

Third Period

Would the Comets be able to see this one through? Well, if you read the lede for this piece, you already know the answer to that one. It got interesting at the end of the game, but Utica steered it home for the win.

MacEwen had an early chance denied before the Jacobs penalty expired and the Comets would fail to score on the power play once again.

Ashton Sautner was fingered for interference at the 2:55 mark and the Devils had an early power play opportunity of their own. This time around, we saw MacEwen, Boucher, Chatfield, and Brisebois sent over the boards and they nearly made the Devils pay. Chatfield blocked a shot and that lead to MacEwen and Boucher getting a shorthanded chance that didn’t go.

At the other end, McIntyre came up with a save and a brief scrum ensued. Cooler heads would prevail and the game got back underway. As is his way, Chatfield came up with another shot block before McIntyre swallowed up another shot.

Justin Bailey, have I mentioned his wheels? Well, he whipped out all the wheels to blow through the neutral zone but was unable to find a play to be made in the Devils end. The puck came back the other way and McIntyre had to come up with a save on a long shot and held for the whistle.

I liked a lot of what I saw from McIntyre tonight. He went long stretches without much action, but he was sharp when he needed to be. I thought he played a quiet game and looked like a steadying presence for his young blue line.

After McIntyre made a pair of saves, Rafferty sent Boucher in on a break with a sweet feed. Boucher, however, was denied by Cormier. The Comets came up with a good kill.

Lukas Jasek was being used in the middle today and I thought that he faired reasonably well there for a guy who hasn’t spent a pile of time at the position. I like his work along the boards, but he could prove to be a useful pivot for a team that is lacking those. Jasek nearly put his team up 5-1 when he ripped a shot off the iron. Tyler Graovac followed up with a shot that felled Brett Seney.

TheBigFella made a nice play off the boards to set up Graovac for a chance that was denied by Cormier.

At the other end, Jalen Chatfield gave the lumber to Marion Studenic and the Devils’ forward was launched into McIntyre. Reid Boucher was having none of it and set to laying the lumber to Studenic all the way out of the zone until both were whistled for roughing. Reid is not a big dude, but I’ve seen enough from him to know he isn’t one to shy away from the rough going.

With Boucher and Studenic in the box, we had some four aside action. Rafferty made a nice play to set Brisebois up for a chance that was denied before Sautner showed a good stick to break up a play in the defensive zone.

There was a board battle that saw Graovac get dinged up and he was in obvious discomfort as he lost his man and the Devils pulled to within a pair. Josh Jacobs picked up his first of the season at the 10:49 mark on a goal assisted by Michael McLeod. Graovac left the game and did not return.

Boucher and Camper were looking to get that one right back when Camper set Boucher up for a shot that saw the sniper’s stick explode. Joe Roberts wondered allowed on the broadcast if that was the same stick Boucher was using earlier to massage the back of Studenic.

The teams were back to five aside play and the Devils were putting on some pressure. Carter Bancks blocked a shot that lead to Jasek springing the speedy Bailey for a break, but the big winger was denied his second goal of the game. Juolevi followed up with a point shot that was gloved down before Lind was pinched for roughing.

I was okay with that roughing call because Lind was having a good game and I think that he is most effective when he is being a bit of a jerk out there. The Comets would have Kole’s back and they were able to kill this one off.

Time was winding down, but it still felt like there was lots of hockey left to play. Rafferty snuck a point shot through that was steered aside as the Comets were looking to put this one away.

It was nice to see Gadjovich out on the ice in the final two-and-a-half minutes once again. It looks like the coaching staff is giving young players like Lind and Gadjovich some rope to work with now that they have some experience in the league.

The Devils summoned Cormier to the bench with 2:30 remaining on the clock and we saw Hamilton, MacEwen, Bailey, Juolevi, and Sautner come over the boards.

Binghamton would make things interesting when Joey Anderson beat McIntyre for his first of the season at the 18:16 mark. Brett Seney and Chris Conner each picked up their first assist of the year on the play.

Cormier was back on the bench with 1:32 remaining on the clock and it would be Boucher and Kole Lind sent over the boards to help finish this one off. McIntyre came up with a kick save before Bailey blocked a shot and headed back up the ice. That was all she wrote for this one. The Comets came away with a 4-3 win in their season opener.

Today’s Official Boxscore

Today’s Comets Goals

Carter Camper (1) from Kole Lind (1) and Olli Juolevi (1) Reid Boucher (1) from Kole Lind (2) and Lukas Jasek (1) Justin Bailey (1) from Carter Bancks (1) Guillaume Brisebois (1) from Reid Boucher (1) and Kole Lind (3)

Zane McIntyre: 19 saves for the win.

Comets Special Teams

PP – 0/5

PK – 3/0

The Three Stars in the building today were:

3rd Star: Nathan Bastian: One goal.

2nd Star: Kole Lind: Three assists.

1st Star: Reid Boucher: One goal, one assist.

CanucksArmy’s Three Stars:

3rd Star: Guillaume Brisebois: I liked what Brisebois brought to the table tonight. He played a simple, confident game and was rewarded with a goal at even strength. He was credited with four shots on net tonight and if he can continue to get shots through, he will be able to create scoring chances for his teammates. Guillaume did some nice work on the penalty kill and his outlet passes had the requisite mustard on them to ensure a zone exit.

2nd Star: Reid Boucher: I think the folks in the building had the first and second stars mixed up. Boucher was great with his two points, though. He showed off his shot, he showed off a slick pass or two, and he showed that he isn’t about to let some dude sit on his goaltender. Boucher is one game into his season and he is already on a two-points-per-game pace… and he could keep that up all season long. If you have seen Boucher previous to this season, and see him now, he looks like a different person. Reid came into camp this year in great shape. Gone is the “baby face” and it has been replaced by a leaner looking Boosh mug.

1st Star: I mean, come on! The kid took his lumps last year as he struggled to adapt to the pro game and then saw his season stymied by injuries. He has had to answer the same questions over and over about how last season went, and for one game anyway, he has shown that he has the ability to play his game in this league. Lind finished today with two primary assists and a secondary helper for good measure. He made a few sweet plays to earn those helpers and he also brought his “jerk puck” style to the table. I feel like Kole is at his best when he plays with a bit of an edge. He doesn’t have to be blowing guys up with big hits, it’s the face washing, the belligerent attitude, and the stuff after the whistles that tend to get under his opponents’ skin and off their games. Enjoy it Kole, and keep it up.

Next Game

Game #2

At Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins

Saturday, October 12th, 2019

7:05 pm Eastern/4:05 pm Pacific





