The Utica Comets season has come to a conclusion, as they bowed out of the AHL playoffs tonight, following a 6-3 loss to the Albany Devils. The first round of the AHL playoffs are settled in best of five series, and the Devils were able to dispatch the Comets in four. 

Though the final score tells the story of a shellacking, it should be noted that the Comets displayed great resilience, clawing back within two of the Devils before an empty-net marker put the final nail in their season’s coffin.

Alexandre Grenier (one goal, one assist) and T.J. Hensick (two goals) led the comeback effort for the Comets. Though Joe Cannata was given the starters nod, it was Richard Bachman who finished the game, appearing in relief of the embattled Comets netminder.

The Comets were always going to be in tough against the Devils. The late season additions of Pavel Zacha, Damon Severson and Reid Boucher put an already imposing side over the top. Meanwhile, the Comets fought against poor goaltending and a dearth of centre depth, which makes it all the more impressive that they even made it this far.

Comets head coach Travis Green will get most of the credit for keeping this low-rent roster afloat, and dragging them even so far as the playoffs. In spite of constant NHL call-ups depleting an already middling lineup, the Comets were able to control 53% of shots, according to www.Prospect-Stats.ca. 

Green is likely to receive considerable interest to fill coaching vacancies as the NHL season reaches its conclusion. Hopefully he can make it back next season. The Canucks prospects are in great hands with Green at the helm in Utica.