Photo credit: New Jersey Devils.
The NJ Devils opened their preseason on Monday night at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec against the Canadiens, and for hockey fans in Central New York, there were several familiar faces wearing the red and black. That’s because ten players in the Devil’s lineup were on their AHL affiliate the Utica Comets at the end of last season. Comets players had a big hand in the Devils’ 2-1 victory over the home team.
The Comets in the New Jersey lineup on Monday night were forwards Tyce Thompson, Nolan Foote, Brian Halonen, Samuel Laberge, Aarne Talvitie, and Graeme Clarke. Joining the forwards were defensemen Reilly Walsh, Nikita Okhotiuk, and Kevin Bahl, along with goaltender Nico Daws.
Utica Junior Comets NCDC Team Picks Up First Win
With the NJ Devils training camp in full swing, many players are battling for spots on the club. Several of the Comets players made a very good showing for themselves in their push for a promotion to the NHL on Monday night. Some of the notable highlights were:
- Samuel Laberge led the Devils in hits with six.
- Nikita Okhotiuk tied with New Jersey mainstay Damon Severson in blocked shots with three.
- Tyce Thompson led the forwards in time on ice with 18:06.
- Graeme Clarke led the Devils in shots on goal with four and scored the game-winning goal.
- Goaltender Nico Daws entered the game halfway through the second period and stopped all five shots he faced.
- Most of the Comets saw time on either the power play, penalty kill, or both.
The NJ Devils play again on Tuesday night at home against the NY Islanders in a game that will most likely have more Comets players in their lineup trying to make an impression on the big club (the game will be televised on MSGSN). The Utica Comets training camp is scheduled to open on October 2nd.
