Wow, this team is something; fun, talented, good and dangerous. In 7 games they have given up only 7 goals. They have the 2nd best point total in the AHL, behind only unbeaten Milwaukee. It’s the goals against that is most impressive. Both Milwaukee and Providence gave given up 11 goals so far this season, the Admirals in 6 games and the Bruins in 7…the same as the Utica Comets. Chicago has surrendered a dozen goals in a half dozen games. In the first 7 games of the seasons the Comets have given up only 7 goals. It’s incredible. Saturday night the Toronto Marlies came to town, a big, tough team that likes to clog the crease to create chances. But, the Comets were too fast, unselfish and solid on the blue line to let the Marlies get the better of them. The Comets displayed what seems to be their specialty, a quick transition game that keeps opponents on their heals. They are unselfish, in the third period, as the Marlies were putting on a late surge, forwards and D were scrambling and diving in from of shots. Brendan Gaunce made a diving effort to poke the puck to the sideboards from in front of Markstrom. Henrik Tommernes was blocking shots with his body. And then there is Jacob Markstrom. We make the most of his size, 6’6”, and his agility. To me, his ability to control rebounds and cool under fire is the key to his success. His numbers early in this season are wild; stopped 108 of 109 shots, 4-0-0 with a 0.25 goals against average and a .991 save percentage and three straight shut outs. Opponents have not put one past Markstrom for 232 minutes and 13 seconds. The AHL record is 268 minutes and 17 seconds. Barry Brust set the record with the Abbotsford Heat two seasons ago. Brust played 11 games in the NHL a few seasons before making AHL history. He now tends goal in the KHL. Before Brust, the league record was held by Hall of Famer Johnny Bower. The Comets are in Binghamton on Wednesday and, if the goalie assignment trend continues, Joacim Eriksson would get the start down south. That would put Markstrom in the nets Halloween Night against the Senators. If that all plays out and the Senators haven’t been able to get one past Jacob with 3:56 left in the second period…Jacob Markstrom will be in the record books.
Posted on: Sun, 26 Oct 2014 16:53:44 +0000
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