League Leading Utica Comets | THREE THINGS

Talk about making a good first impression.
The Utica Comets is in their first year as the New Jersey Devils' American Hockey League affiliate and so far, as they say, so good.
With a steady stream of veteran presence and young up-and-coming talent, the Comets are putting on quite the show in the AHL.
In this edition of Three Things, presented by Geico, we take a dive into the start of the year for the Utica Comets.

1. Records by Committee

Everything the Comets have done this season has been by committee. In recent weeks, the Utica lineup has had several next-man-up opportunities with the Devils in need of call-ups. And just as much as a call-up to the NHL is an opportunity, so is the void that's left in the AHL lineup in their absence. And it seems that no matter what lineup and personnel head coach Kevin Dineen and his staff have to work with, they're making the most of every opportunity - and in some cases, rewriting the AHL record books.
On Nov. 19 the Comets pulled off a come-from-behind victory against the Charlotte Checkers (Carolina) to start their season with 12 straight wins. Their start of 12-0-0-0 is a league record, the best start for any team since the founding of the American Hockey League in 1936.
The previous best start to a season was set by the 1984-85 Rochester Americans.
The Comets stretched their winning record to 13 games before their first loss on Nov. 29. A loss that was followed by a three-game win streak and two straight overtime losses.
It's only 20 games into the Comets season, but I have my sights on a franchise record. The Comets since their existence have never finished the season as the overall regular-season points winners, and at this pace, they'll certainly be atop the hunt. They're currently the league leader with 36 points in 20 games, while the Chicago Wolves also have 36 points but have played three more games and have three more losses than the Comets.
Utica's win percentage is .900. The next best is the Stockton Heat at .825.

2. Defense Drives Offense

Records are one thing, but it's how the team is getting it done that is really quite impressive. Aside from the rotating cast of characters, the story remains consistently the same. The team has developed a commitment to the process and the numbers are showing.
If the old adage is true, offense wins games, defense wins championships, the Comets are in a good spot. While they might not score the most goals in the league - they're eighth in the league with 72 goals in 20 games - their goals against are by far a league-best. Between Nico Daws, Akira Schmid and Marek Mitens, the three goaltenders the Comets have used this season, they have combined to let in just 38 goals. And while goaltenders are the last line of defense, the play in front of them is just as important.
When the Comets reached their first 10 wins of the season, they were winning but their shots against were high. Those shots against were being saved by strong goaltending, and here's what head coach Kevin Dineen had to say about his squad at that point.
"There's talks about the number shots we give up. We acknowledge that. We know that is part of our DNA right now," he said. "For me, it is chances against, which is a big difference from shots. I feel like our team has been solid and our defense does drive our offense."
After the Comets goals against, there's a considerable drop-off to the league's next best. That would be the Heat, who have let in 10 more goals than Utica, with 48 goals against.
If you're to break down the Comets numbers even further they're supremely balanced both at home and on the road. At home in 11 games the team has given up 19 goals, and away from Adirondack Bank Center, they've conceded 19 goals in nine games. Both are league bests.

3. The Stretch Ahead

The Comets have seemingly been able to handle every and any opportunity or challenge they've faced to date. And here comes what may be their toughest stretch of the season.
Beginning Dec. 16, the Comets will play five consecutive road games, the longest such stretch of road games this season. And they're going to have to go about it, for now, with a different look. Schmid remains with New Jersey, although that may change with the
acquisition of Jon Gillies
this afternoon, while Nico Daws is injured, considered week-to-week. Additionally, big defenseman Kevin Bahl remains with the Devils squad, as does forward Marián Studenič who has 10 points in 13 games with Utica this year.
It's time to rely on that organizational depth, says Dineen, who added in the absence of Bahl and Studenic, "that leaves us (without many options). But, hey, opportunity is always what players talk about. I think our guys have prepared to play a strong team game."

#

BONUS

They have a team puppy. And he is amazing.