Canucks Prospects Update: Utica Comets

The Utica Comets have been a tear over the last month that has seen them rise from 8th place in the North Division in November to 2nd place following a 4-3 overtime win over the AHL leading Charlotte Checkers on Tuesday night. They had also faced the Checkers on Sunday afternoon, losing a tight checking affair 2-1 in overtime.

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Injuries were a huge part of the struggles to start the season for the Comets and they finally started to see some time where they were getting healthy.
They haven't been as lucky during this latest hot streak, as they've seen quite a few players succumb to various ailments. They've persevered and found ways to win on a nightly basis.
Just as an example, for the contest against the Checkers on Tuesday night, Jonathan Dahlen, Ashton Sautner, Jalen Chatfield, Wacey Hamilton, Olli Juolevi, Jamie Sifers, and Brendan Woods were all sidelined with injuries.
With that being said, a large part of the climb up the standings has been Thatcher Demko returning from injury.
Since his first start of the season on November 21st, Demko is 6-3-1 with 2.41 GAA and 0.915 SV%. That goals against average is fifth in the AHL and his save percentage is currently ranked ninth in the league. Demko has quickly asserted himself as the go to guy between the pipes for the Comets and has had quite a few good performances over the last few weeks.
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The offensive attack continues to be led by Reid Boucher, as he sits 13th in the AHL scoring with 27 points, but a couple of other players have stepped up the last few weeks. Brendan Gaunce has seven points (2-5-7) in his last four games and Jonathan Dahlen had started to find his legs with four goals in three games between December 5th-8th before being sidelined in the December 14th game against Binghamton.
Lukas Jasek took a couple of weeks to get going this season, but he is currently riding a four-game point streak and points in eight of his last 12 games. Jasek's speed continues to be his standout skill, but he has been complimenting that with smart and effective reads to force opponents into mistakes. He is getting more opportunity recently and is making the most of it.
Zack MacEwen continues to show tremendous strides in his second professional season in the AHL. He is currently on a four-game point streak which followed a six-point streak that had only one game of being held off the score sheet in between. His 13 goals on the season trails only Boucher and his 24 points ranks third on the Comets. His 200-foot game is noticeable and he has been really showcasing his playmaking abilities as of late.
Jonah Gadjovich, Vancouver's 2017 2nd round pick, has had some noticeable games over the last few weeks. He picked up assists in back-to-back games on December 7th and 8th and has started to generate shots with a little more frequency. Kole Lind returned from injury on November 28th and has taken a little bit of time to get his game back. He was very noticeable on Tuesday night looking for his first AHL goal of his career.
Darren Archibald continues to be that physical and gritty leader for the farm. He scored the big overtime winner on Tuesday and has been consistently chipping in here and there.
With all the injuries on the backend, the remaining players have been leaned upon heavily. This means Guillaume Brisebois and Evan McEneny have been tasked with tangible powerplay and penalty kill time over the last few games. For Brisebois, this is the second year in his young AHL career and once again he is being asked to shoulder a large load as the team goes through injury troubles. Last season, there was noticeable improvement and confidence to his game as the season went along and so far, you can see similar things happening.
McEneny was unfortunately one of the players out with a long term injury last season, but so far this year, he is appearing to be up to the task to handle the workload.
Demko should be leaned upon heavily by the Comets coaching staff as they continue the ascension up the standings. If the Canucks 2014 2nd pick plays the way he has been, he should continue to rise of goaltending categories in the AHL.
The Comets have five more games in 2018 with four of those being against North Division rivals. It culminates with a December 29th contest against the division leading Rochester Americans. Despite all the injuries, the team is being led by Canucks prospects in all three positions and that is exciting news for fans.