BEST PARTY NIGHT OF THE YEAR, COMETS TAKE ON ROCHESTER
Nov 24, 2021One Up and One Down: The New Jersey Devils announced they have recalled forward Chase DeLeo from the Utica Comets and have assigned forward Alexander Holtz to Utica.
DeLeo, 26, currently leads the Comets in assists and points tallying two goals and 12 assists for 14 points in eight games played. The La Mirada, California native previously played in five NHL games with the Winnipeg Jets and Anaheim Ducks without registering a point.
Holtz, 19, skated in four games with the Comets this season scoring five goals in that time. Since his recall to the Devils, he skated in six games with New Jersey totaling two assists. The Saltsjö-Boo, Sweden native will join the Comets before their home game against the Rochester Americans on Wednesday night.
The Latest Win: The Comets continued their historic win streak as they defeated their division rival, the Rochester Americans for the third time this season last Saturday night.
In the first period, the Comets jumped out to an early lead thanks to a goal by Nolan Foote just twenty-five seconds into the game. Ryan Schmelzer won the faceoff onto the tape of Foote who scored his second goal of the weekend. The Rochester Americans had their fair share of chances throughout the remainder of the period, forcing Comets’ goaltender Akira Schmid to make some big saves to keep the Americans off the board. Late in the period, the Comets took a 2-0 lead thanks to a power play goal by Marian Studenic. Reilly Walsh sent a point shot on net and Studenic was able to find the rebound and put it in with 3:32 left on the clock.
The Comets came out to another fast start in the second period, scoring a power play goal just one minute and fifty seconds into the frame. The play began with another faceoff win by Schmelzer, this time onto the stick of Robbie Russo who then found Chase DeLeo who put a shot over the glove of the Rochester goalie. Minutes later, Frederik Gauthier made a crafty breakout pass to Graeme Clarke, who sped up the wing and scored to give the Comets a four-goal lead. The Comets’ offense didn’t stop there when Chase DeLeo picked up his second point of the game with an assist on Brian Flynn’s goal that made it 5-0 Comets at the 5:50 mark. The Americans answered back scoring two goals in the final four minutes of the period. It was Brendan who got on the board first for the Americans, scoring with 3:54 left in the period. Two minutes later, former Utica Comet Josh Teves scored to make it a 5-2 game.
Both teams came out hard in the third period, and this time it was Rochester with the first goal of the frame. Peyton Krebs scored a 5-on-3 goal off a pass from Jack Quinn to cut the Comets lead to two. It was an intense and emotional finish to the period, as Rochester continued to produce offensive chances. Comets’ goaltender Akira Schmid stayed strong in net, and the Utica Comets extended their unbeaten streak to thirteen games.
Schnarr Leads the Team: With 11 games played this season, Nathan Schnarr continues a great season with four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Schnarr, coming into tonight’s game against the Americans has two goals and four assists in the last four games. The Waterloo, Ontario native has two games played against Rochester has registered an assist in the last outing on Saturday night. In addition to his points this season Schnarr has two game winning goals in the 11 games this season.