Utica has been a mess to start the season. Have there been any bright spots? There have been two.
11 – 26.
That’s not a calendar date. That’s the goal differential for the Utica Comets after six games to start the season. 11 goals for. 26 against.
Low goal-scoring. Check. Bad defense and goaltending. Check. So, who are the bright spots for this team? Nolan Foote and Seamus Casey.
Nolan Foote has factored into over half of the team’s goals with six points in five games. Since returning to Utica, Seamus Casey has four assists in two games. That’s it.
In net, Nico Daws has struggled with a 0-4 record, 3.90 GAA and .871 SV%. Also winless at 0-2, Isaac Poulter has not earned the reins, struggling with a 4.89 GAA and .804 SV%. One would expect these numbers to stabilize as the season slugs on, but the early returns have not been good to say the least.
On offense, the only other Comet with more than two points is Justin Dowling (2 goals, 2 assists). Chase Stillman has one assist in five games. Josh Filmon has zero points in four.
So, it’s the Seamus Casey and Nolan Foote show in Utica for now. As I’ve commented before, I believe Nolan Foote belongs in the NHL. If he keeps up this pace, he may soon earn his chance.
AROUND THE POOL
- Arseni Gritsyuk is the first Devils prospect to 20 points this season, a feat the Russian winger accomplished in only 19 games. Gritsyuk has really broken out in this season’s early-goings and is on pace for more than 30 points over his career high.
- Samu Salminen has had a stronger start to this season after his transfer to University of Denver with four points in his first six, including three goals. Here is one of them.
Just as the power play expired, Samu Salminen (NJD) wires one through traffic and into the back of the net. 4-1 @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/bBH1myo8Nf
— Ryan Sikes (@ryan_sikes10) October 27, 2024
- After a rough start, winger Cole Brown has caught fire upping his point totals to eight points in eleven games. Here is one of his recent snipes.
BULLDOGS STRIKE FIRST ⚫️ @NJDevils prospect Cole Brown buries this one to give the @BulldogsOHL a 1-0 lead early!#OHL | @CHLHockey | #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/DXXLDlf2mg
— Ontario Hockey League (@OHLHockey) October 26, 2024
- Winger Lenni Hameenaho continues to light up the Liiga with fourteen points in sixteen games. Here is the Hammo Slammo hammering one home.
Yeah, you probably don’t wanna leave Lenni Hameenaho all alone there.#NJDevils
pic.twitter.com/1d8EjzmVkp— Daniel Amoia (@daniel_amoia) October 26, 2024
YOUR TAKE
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