By KEVIN OKLOBZIJA
Kids day at Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial on Sunday afternoon included youngsters taking over the public address and official scoring roles while 5,000 drawstring bags were handed out to fans.
There seemingly were just as many giveaways on the ice by the Rochester Americans.
Taking advantage of poor decisions and poor passes, the Utica Comets used quick-strike surges to steamroll the Amerks 7-3.
“We probably did enough offensively to score six, we just didn’t manage the puck, so we gave them free offense,” Amerks coach Seth Appert said. “Utica played good, they executed their offensive chances, but too many were kind of handouts by us.”
The Comets first six goals were like daily doubles. They scored 1:16 apart early in the second period to take a 2-1 lead, 1:02 apart later in the second period, then connected twice in 31 seconds early in the third period to turn a 4-3 game into a 6-3 blowout.
In essence the Comets returned the embarrassment favor. The Amerks went into Utica on Wednesday, opened a 5-0 lead after 26 minutes and waltzed to a 6-2 win.
“The game kind of got away from us,” said defenseman Jeremy Davies, whose goal at 5:59 of the second period tied the score 2-2. “We were expecting them to come out hard and unfortunately we weren’t able to play the right way.”
Tyson Jost and Brett Murray also scored for the Amerks, who led 1-0 after the first period but played from behind the rest of the way once Danill Misyul scored short-handed at 13:44 of the second period to break a 2-2 tie.
Kulich listed as ‘day to day’
Amerks forward Jiri Kulich, their leading goal-scorer, sat out due to an upper body injury.
He left Friday’s game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the third period after it appeared Jagger Joshua hit him in the head with an elbow in open ice, far from the puck.
“I don’t like the hit, for sure,” Appert said.
Appert didn’t say whether he requested the AHL to review the play.
“It doesn’t matter,” Appert said. “They don’t suspend guys for it so it doesn’t matter.”
Tough day for Cooley
Amerks starting goalie Devin Cooley stopped all 14 Utica shots in the first period but then made only nine saves on the next 15 shots he faced and was pulled after Erik Middendorf’s goal 7:07 into the third period gave the Comets a 6-3 lead.
Cooley hadn’t play since Jan. 26 and has been in just 13 games all season.
“I don’t think he was sharp but he hasn’t played in a while, either,” Appert said. “That’s not an excuse because it’s a responsibility and he’s a pro. But it is a position where sometimes being in a rhythm is easier.
“We gave up more (chances) that I would like but that is why a goalie is there. Mistakes are going to be made and we need him to make some saves. He’s done a really good job of that but tonight he wasn’t able to.”
Monday matinee in Toronto
The Amerks complete a stretch of four games in six days – which is part of a seven games in 11 days endurance test – with a 2 p.m. meeting with the Toronto Marlies in Scotiabank Arena, home of the Maple Leafs.
Playing in the NHL rink – with the game televised live on NHL Network – may provide the extra jump needed. At least Appert hopes it does.
It’s an afternoon game at the back of a four-in-six so I think it helps a ton,” Appert said. “NHL arena, it’s Toronto. It gives you a little extra energy.
“It’s mental warfare on yourself in those moments. The legs might be tired, you can’t be tired in the mind, so you have to play tricks with yourself sometimes to be mentally sharp.”
Power play is BEYOND AWFUL team cannot win consistently unless that is fixed!! On paper scoring power is as good or better then the last 2 years this leads me to believe Vinny Prospal isn’t nearly good enough at running the power play as Micheal Peca when we were among the leagues best power play for 2 years in a row! To be 18th in the league on the power play with this team is beyond embarrassing!! If it isn’t changed in a hurry Amerks will go nowhere in the playoffs! Also, Appert interview saying the hit on Kulich doesn’t matter was very much problematic for me and I’m sure many fans! Also, nobody taking care of business on the ice after the hit is very worrisome and shows this team lacks the comradararie, or any kind of team unity to go anywhere in the playoffs! Could it change between now and then? Yes but it’s getting late and right now not much is going right especially the awful power play and extreme struggles on home ice, not good when you’re in the entertainment business! Considering the talent on this team and results we’ve gotten so far I give the coaching staff a D and that’s being generous! I hope things change in a hurry or we make the necessary changes before the deadline!
Appert was being kind to Cooley. I understand his position but honestly you can’t be giving up 6 goas in just a little over 1 period.
And if course it was reinforced the next day when Amerks got phenominal goaltending. And they needed it because it was clear by midway thru the game, the team was totally gassed. they had nothing in the tank…yet Levi stole the 2 points and Davies scored on their only shot in OT. Amerks had no business winning that game, but strange things often happen in pro sports. They should have only awarded one star..because Levi stood on his head all afternoon.
So far Amerks are 3-1 over the first 4 of 7 games in 11 days. The big one is Saturday in Hershey. They will be pretty tired but you gotta think they will be up for this one.