COMETS NOTEBOOK: 5 Thoughts Ahead of Game Against Monsters

It has been a difficult few weeks for the New Jersey Devils American Hockey League affiliate.

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The Utica Comets are winless through 11 games with a record of 0-8-1-2. The club has been limited to scoring 21 goals and surrendering 47.

Ahead of their Veteran’s Day matchup against the Cleveland Monsters, let’s empty the notebook with five thoughts and observations from the start of the 2024-25 season.

1. The Forward Group Hasn’t Quite Figured It Out

When things are not going right for a team, it is easy to look to the goaltending and defense and put the blame on them. This season for the Comets, their biggest weakness revolves around their forward group.

Through 11 games, Utica has not been able to consistently generate offense, spending most of the game defending in its own zone. Over the past month, it has not been uncommon to see only three or four shots after a period of play. It has only been in the past few games that Nolan Foote, Adam Beckman, and Brian Halonen have been credited with four or five shots on goal.

2. Calling Up Justin Dowling Was The Right Call

I attended the Comets’ Saturday night game against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. It did not take long to realize how much Utica struggles in the face-off circle.

When Curtis Lazar suffered his lower-body injury, there was no viable option besides Dowling. Through six games, the veteran has a face-off win percentage of 40 percent, winning 14 of 35 draws with New Jersey.

Winning face-offs increases puck possession and allows teams to set up in the offensive zone and generate shots. Everything starts with that initial puck battle in the circle, and the Comets’ inability to start with the puck has been problematic.

3. …About The Goaltending

The Comets goaltending tandem is made up of Nico Daws and Isaac Poulter.

Daws has appeared in eight games and has a .868 save percentage and a 3.91 goals-against average. His 27 goals against are the most in the AHL. Poulter has earned a .852 save percentage and a 3.83 goals-against average.

With the team’s struggle in front of both goaltenders, it is challenging to judge their overall performance. One certain thing is that neither will magically carry this team to a victory. It will require a team effort from the crease out.

4. The Comets Are Slowly Making Progress

While the struggles are still glaring, the Comets are making progress and inching closer to a win. Their last three games all required either overtime or a shootout. The team is shooting more, and the goaltenders have limited their opponents to three goals in two of their last three outings.

While overall morale might not be high at the moment, alternate captain Colton White understands it is about daily growth.

“It has got to be about the process,” White said. “That is what we are trying to figure out here. Stick to the process, and good things will come. It is trending in the right direction

5. Kevin Dineen: A Great Mentor

On Nov. 6, The Devils announced that Kevin Dineen was relieved of his head coaching duties, and Ryan Parent was named the interim head coach of the Comets.

“He’s a great coach and a great mentor to a lot of guys,” White said. “Sometimes things go stale. (Dineen) was here when I was up and down with the Devils in my first stint with Utica. He always treated me with utmost respect and kindness. I have nothing but good things to say about him. He is a great hockey coach, and it is unfortunate we didn’t have a great start.”

The Comets will look to give Parent his first win when the club hosts the Monsters at 5:00 P.M. EST.

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