Image Courtesy: @NBCSports

Nearly a month ago we previewed what to expect during the AHL Calder Cup final between the Utica Comets and the Manchester Monarchs. This was the 3rd time in Canucks franchise history that their AHL farm team went to the AHL finals and much like the parent club, it has yet to win.

Before the finals, the Comets had been a good possession team, backed by good goaltending with below average offence. In our preview, we noted that the Manchester Monarchs were the one team the Comets wished to avoid given that they have been more dominant in nearly all measurable facets of the game.

Since that preview and the series, CanucksArmy has been over-taken by events surrounding the draft, trades, and free agency. It’s too bad that the AHL final was inexplicably cancelled at the last minute for no reason, so here’s our deep dive of what likely would have happened.

Possession

The Utica Comets were strongly outplayed in this series, while they did have two games with positive possession numbers (partly fueled by score and series effects), they also had two sub-30% games. The series possession numbers were well in favour on the Manchester Monarchs.

These numbers were reflected in their inability to generate much in terms of shots or scoring chances against Manchester. In just 5 games the Monarchs were averaging 33.4 shots to the Comets’ 27.4.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Utica’s inability to generate offence or suppress the Monarchs was reflected in their even-strength scoring. In the series, the Comets were out-scored at even-strength to the tune of 8 to 10. The third game saw the Comets out-score the Monarchs (their only victory) while games 2 and 5 saw equal number of ES goals.

On the special teams side of things, the Comets continued to be out-scored to the tune of 2 to 5. Interestingly enough Utica was on the penalty kill more than they were on the power play (20 vs 17 opportunities) which is rare to see in a team that is both trailing a game let alone a series.

To compound the effects against them the Comets found their Special-Team Index to be a paltry 86.76% thanks to an 11.76% powerplay and a 75% penalty kill. Their power play has normally been below average, but it was rare to see Utica’s strong penalty kill falter them this badly. Their inability to score or stop scoring was a common trend in the series.

Advertisement - Continue Commenting Below

Oddly enough, given that the Comets lost the first two games in overtime and won the third game, the they could have easily found them up in the series 3-0 had the shooting percentages gone their way and the ending likely would have been very different.

Goaltenders

Utica’s PDO in the series shows how much the shooting percentage did not work in their favour. While the first three games were averaging normal variance, the series itself dipped towards the trailing 2 games. The Comets shot more than a full percentage point below average at 7.3% while their goaltender was below average at .910, six-tenths of a percentage point below normal.

Goaltending became an interesting statistical point in this series. Supposedly the strong point in the Comets game, as Markstrom had posted a .931 through the first three series it did not work ot this way at all.

The Monarch’s starting goaltender, Jean-Francois Berube, posted a .922 through the first three games including three straight Quality Starts. He was hurt part way through the third game and the backup (who had been statistically strong in the regular season) Patrik Bartosak took over and posted a .930 in the final three games.

Jacob Markstrom posted a .907 in this series, which was a disappointing performance for himself given how strong he’d been all regular season and playoffs. That performance was almost a full percentage point below AHL average, was nearly 3% lower than his performance in the first 3 rounds and it dropped his playoff save percentage down to .925.

Markstrom has a history of performing well below average in high-stakes tournaments and games through his career. He was lauded for having “fixed” his technique in the playoffs, but unfortunately he could not live up to that praise in the final round and couldn’t save Utica’s season.

Players

The ability to generate offence had held the Comets back through the playoffs. Despite that, a few of the Canucks’ prospects stood out in this series. Alex Grenier and Sven Bartschi continued to be at the top of the prospect scoring leaderboard as they had all playoffs. Peter Andersson had a rare appearance on the scoresheet with three assists.

Leading the way from the veterans was Cal O’Reilly who had finally managed to score a few goals after having lead the entire playoffs in points without a single goal. Bobby Sanguinetti was right behind him as a strong contributor – it is too bad to see those two leave the organization.

These same four players lead the Comets in scoring over the entire playoffs. O’Reilly had 19 points in 23 games, Baertschi had 15 points in 21, Grenier had 15 in 23 and Sanguinetti had 14 in 23. Surprisingly right behind them was Alex Friesen and Brendan Gaunce who gave Utica strong performances in the earlier rounds.

Our KWings Insiderrr, Sarah Hobday, was at 4 of the 5 Comets games and had this to say about Games 1 & 2 :

Game 1 – 6 June 2015: With the 6pm game start only the

scratched players skated in the morning. The rest of the team was at the

arena to play some two-touch and for team meetings.

scratched players skated in the morning. The rest of the team was at the arena to play some two-touch and for team meetings. Very slow Utica start – cup jitters maybe.

In Grenier’s second shift of the game he got manhandled like I’ve never seen before.

In Virtanen’s second shift he got leveled twice by a Monarch one right

after the other – then he collided hard with Baertschi in front of the

Monarchs goalie.

after the other – then he collided hard with Baertschi in front of the Monarchs goalie. A bit of a shaky start for Markstrom. He was very lucky several times early in the game where the Monarchs should have scored.

The Comets first PP unit was led by Grenier, Conacher, and Baertschi.

They lost control early and gave the Monarchs a scoring chance.

They lost control early and gave the Monarchs a scoring chance. Conacher kept trying to start fights all night – getting into Monarchs faces and chirping a lot.

The Comets second PP unit was led by Friesen, Gaunce, and Virtanen. They didn’t produce any good scoring chances.

Friesen was also chirping all night and trying to start fights.

At the 10 minute mark in the 1st Markstrom had some crazy puck luck

with several quality Monarchs scoring chances but somehow the puck

stayed out of the net.

with several quality Monarchs scoring chances but somehow the puck stayed out of the net. Utica was very strong on the 1st and 2nd PK of the game.

Gorgeous PP goal by Baertschi set up by a great pass from Grenier. Baertschi had a wide open net.

I wish Shinkaruk played more physical and would hit guys. He backed off checks too often tonight.

Utica had a much stronger start to the 2nd period.

Virtanen is extremely strong with the puck and hard to stop once he gets going.

At the 9 1/2 minute mark of the 2nd period Baertschi left for the

locker room with the athletic trainer. He returned to the bench for the

3rd period but did not play another shift in the game. He was not on the

bench in OT.

locker room with the athletic trainer. He returned to the bench for the 3rd period but did not play another shift in the game. He was not on the bench in OT. Markstrom looked much better in the 2nd period with tracking the puck and controlling rebounds.

Virtanen reminds me of a faster/stronger version of Dane Fox. They look

very similar with their skating style, stride, and look. Like Fox,

Virtanen should work on keeping his head up when he gets going. It

worries me seeing guys skate with their heads down (especially when they

do not have the puck).

very similar with their skating style, stride, and look. Like Fox, Virtanen should work on keeping his head up when he gets going. It worries me seeing guys skate with their heads down (especially when they do not have the puck). 11 minutes into the 2nd Markstrom had even more puck luck when he was caught off balance and the Monarchs almost scored.

Grenier had a breakaway with 2:20 left in the 2nd but was stopped by a

quick glove hand on the Monarchs goalie. Grenier showed his improved

speed on this breakaway.

quick glove hand on the Monarchs goalie. Grenier showed his improved speed on this breakaway. Early in the 3rd

period Andersson took a really bad penalty for closing his hand on the

puck. Utica’s PK unit was looking very strong until giving up that PP

goal.

period Andersson took a really bad penalty for closing his hand on the puck. Utica’s PK unit was looking very strong until giving up that PP goal. Conacher’s goal was weak – Comets lucked out there.

With Baertschi out for half the game Green was rolling lines and putting different players in Baertschi’s spot.

Gaunce stepped up his game since the last round. Gaunce got more ice time with Baertschi out.

Virtanen only played 1 or 2 shifts in the 3rd period and did not play in OT.

Overall Utica was outplayed in every aspect in Game 1. This was the

worst Utica playoff game I have seen. Markstrom was the only reason

Utica stayed in this game. Game 2 – 7 June 2015: Hamilton was a healthy scratch. LaBate skated in warmups but was a

game-time scratch. Jensen took Hamilton’s place in the lineup.

game-time scratch. Jensen took Hamilton’s place in the lineup. Baertschi back in the lineup playing regular shifts.

Strong start by Utica in the 1st period.

Shinkaruk must have read my notes last night as he was a completely

different player tonight. Shinkaruk was finishing checks and playing

more physical tonight.

different player tonight. Shinkaruk was finishing checks and playing more physical tonight. Virtanen skated on the 4th

line tonight. My guess is that it was because how often he was

manhandled in Game 1 proving him mostly ineffective. Manchester is the

biggest team he has been up against in the playoffs with Utica.

line tonight. My guess is that it was because how often he was manhandled in Game 1 proving him mostly ineffective. Manchester is the biggest team he has been up against in the playoffs with Utica. The 1st period was very chippy and physical.

The 1st PP for Utica was a poor effort. The 2nd PP of the game was a

much better effort until Grenier took a bad penalty 50 seconds into

their PP. Utica’s PK (after this 4 on 4) was very strong.

much better effort until Grenier took a bad penalty 50 seconds into their PP. Utica’s PK (after this 4 on 4) was very strong. The 2nd PK for Utica was also strong though with 14 seconds left Manchester scored a great goal on an angle.

Gorgeous goal by Jensen – he looked so happy in his celebration.

Strong start to the 2nd period for Utica.

Markstrom playing very well with better puck tracking and rebound control then last night.

At the 7 1/2 minute mark in the 2nd period Jensen blocked a hard shot

and limped to the bench. He only missed 1 shift before he was back on

the ice.

and limped to the bench. He only missed 1 shift before he was back on the ice. 2nd period settled down and was much cleaner with less shoving matches after whistles.

Jensen looked really good in his first game back – proved he was worthy of his spot in the lineup.

Poor game by Clendening. Worst game I have seen him play in these

playoffs. Clendening made too many mistakes throughout the game.

playoffs. Clendening made too many mistakes throughout the game. Friesen playing smarter tonight and not taking cheap shots like last night.

Markstrom really likes to talk to officials – noticed that more tonight then in other games.

With 1 minute left in the 2nd period Baertschi leveled a Monarchs player with a great check – caught him off guard.

Much better overall game by Shinkaruk tonight.

Virtanen had a stronger game tonight as well. At one point in the 2nd

period he took out 2 Monarchs with one move at the blue line.

period he took out 2 Monarchs with one move at the blue line. Jensen was on fire in the 3rd period – looking great with his speed and jumping up into plays more often.

Sanguinetti had another solid game. Nothing really stood out good or bad.

Markstrom was incredible in the 3rd period and the beginning of OT. So many great saves.

Utica’s PK to start OT was very strong.- Overall Utica played much better in Game 2. Very tight and close game with both team’s deserving of the win.

And on Games 4 & 5 :

Game 4: Virtanen is still sick and did not play tonight.

LaBate skated in warmups but was a scratch at game time.

75 seconds into the 1st Clendening was caught out of position. Grenier

quickly jumped back and looked comfortable in front of Markstrom.

quickly jumped back and looked comfortable in front of Markstrom. Clendening looked even worse in his second shift – was slow and out of position again.

Lots of bad blood in this series. Big fight 4:38 in with all on ice skaters involved.

8 minutes into the 1st Clendening was checked head first into the boards but did not miss a shift afterwards.

9 1/2 minutes into the 1st Shinkaruk had several great scoring chances but couldn’t bury it.

First Monarchs goal was way too easy. Markstrom went down early and the Monarchs had a wide open net to hit.

The Monarchs second goal was due to a turnover by Grenier. The Monarchs

were all over Grenier and he couldn’t get the puck out of the zone. The

Monarchs stole the puck and then were able to score on Markstrom.

were all over Grenier and he couldn’t get the puck out of the zone. The Monarchs stole the puck and then were able to score on Markstrom. With the Monarchs scoring twice in 32 seconds the Comets used their

timeout. The Comets responded and scored 14 minutes into the 1st. This

goal was all thanks to a lot of hard work and puck control by Shinkaruk.

timeout. The Comets responded and scored 14 minutes into the 1st. This goal was all thanks to a lot of hard work and puck control by Shinkaruk. The game was getting uglier and uglier with more shoving matches after whistles.

Beauty of a second goal for the Comets with Baertschi scoring on the PP.

The first 6 minutes of the 2nd period was all Monarchs. Starting to

look more like Game 1 with how dominating the Monarchs are.

look more like Game 1 with how dominating the Monarchs are. The first two penalty kills of the 2nd were bad and gave the Monarchs

too many scoring chances. With that many shots and not clearing the zone

the Monarchs were bound to score.

too many scoring chances. With that many shots and not clearing the zone the Monarchs were bound to score. The Comets were struggling in all areas in the 2nd period – just like in Game 1.

A lot of puck luck again tonight for Markstrom. Defensemen are not helping Markstrom out too much.

The Comets had 1:20 of a 5 on 3 PP late in the 2nd with Baertschi, Grenier, and Conacher having some good scoring chances.

With all the special teams play in the 2nd period Jensen only had 2 shifts.

At the start of the 3rd period Grenier was getting frustrated with the

game and was getting more testy. I have never seen Grenier play like

this in his pro career. He took some cheap shots after plays and got a

penalty as a result.

game and was getting more testy. I have never seen Grenier play like this in his pro career. He took some cheap shots after plays and got a penalty as a result. Green was rolling lines more in the 3rd to try to spark the team.

Markstrom got pulled after the Monarchs 6th goal.

The 3rd period settled down with minimal scuffles after whistles.

Shinkaruk and Gaunce were the best players on the ice all night for the Comets. They both had strong games.

Much more ice time for Jensen in the 3rd. Game 5: Virtanen is still sick and did not play tonight. Unfortunate that

Virtanen was sick the last 3 games of the series and unable to play.

Would have been interesting to see how he handled himself in these

games.

Virtanen was sick the last 3 games of the series and unable to play. Would have been interesting to see how he handled himself in these games. LaBate skated in warmups but was a scratch at game time.

The Monarchs dominated the game early on.

4 minutes into the game the Comets woke up and took back control of the game. The Comets had several quality scoring chances.

The Monarchs 2nd goal was a rocket – Markstrom had no chance.

After the Monarchs 3rd goal was disallowed after review the Utica fans

went nuts and the Comets played with tons of energy and jump the next

several minutes.

went nuts and the Comets played with tons of energy and jump the next several minutes. Much cleaner 1st period then in the last game.

Grenier was back to his usual game self tonight. Grenier was skating

smarter and faster. He had several quality scoring chances.

smarter and faster. He had several quality scoring chances. The Monarchs had control of the first 5 minutes of the 2nd period before the Comets took back control.

Shinkaruk had a very strong game again – he even blocked several shots tonight.

12 minutes into the 2nd period Grenier had a great shift. He won a

faceoff and got a nice shot on goal off quick. Unfortunately his stick

snapped. Grenier then laid out a thunderous check on a Monarch before

finishing his shift.

faceoff and got a nice shot on goal off quick. Unfortunately his stick snapped. Grenier then laid out a thunderous check on a Monarch before finishing his shift. 15 minutes into the 2nd

Markstrom had some more great puck luck. Great speed by Markstrom in

moving side-to-side and getting back up.

Markstrom had some more great puck luck. Great speed by Markstrom in moving side-to-side and getting back up. Lots of hustle and jump in Shinkaruk tonight. Very impressed by his play again tonight.

Better game tonight by Clendening – back to his usual self after a bad showing last night.

The Comets had an overall much better game tonight and back to their

usual game plan and play. The team responded after the disappointing

loss last night.

usual game plan and play. The team responded after the disappointing loss last night. The Monarchs were the overall

better team in this series and the Comets never seemed to be able to

catch up. The Monarchs goalie made some great saves and was the

difference maker tonight.

better team in this series and the Comets never seemed to be able to catch up. The Monarchs goalie made some great saves and was the difference maker tonight. Utica fans stood for the final 3 minutes of the game and chanting “Lets Go Comets.”

Even with the final buzzer and the Monarchs celebrating the win the

fans kept chanting “Lets Go Comets” for several minutes before chanting

“Thank You Comets.” The Comets all saluted the fans before leaving the

ice.

Conclusion

It is little surprising to see how this series ended. The Comets were outplayed by a much stronger team and they did not receive any luck to help them. Utica, however, can be proud of how they performed all year, and at least had the moral victory of not being swept.

This officially ends our Comets year, and it was quite a pleasant surprise to see the turnaround from the year before. The Comets went from a team who couldn’t make the playoffs to a top-3 possession team that lead the league for most of the year.

The AHL is so hard to predict – parity is even tighter than in the NHL, and rosters see huge turnover year to year. It is nearly impossible to predict how the Comets will perform in 2015-2016, but we will be there following them on the way.

The Comets continue to change by the removal of veterans such as Cal O’Reilly, Bobby Sanguinetti, Brandon DeFazio, Jacob Markstrom, and Joacim Eriksson. Replacing them will be the likes of Richard Bachman, Taylor Fedun and Blair Jones. Many familiar names have been re-signed from Canucks prospects of Alex Friesen, Alex Grenier, Alex Biega and more, while the Comets continue to stock their own players in Wacey Hamilton, Carter Bancks, and Mike Zalewski.

It was an excellent year for development of prospects as many players started to earn more and more ice time and many pundits like to celebrate they were learning how to win from veterans. We will dig deeper into their entire year in review later this summer.

So for now …





