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New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: Utica’s “Miracle” Playoff Run Falls 1 Point Short with Rochester’s OT Loss
TL;DR
The Utica Comets fell just one point short of a playoff spot after winning their last three games. Rochester secured the final position by earning a loser point in overtime during their final game.
Key points
- Utica Comets won their last three games
- Rochester secured the final playoff spot
- Utica finished one point behind Rochester
- Utica had a 7-1-1-1 record in last ten games
- Rochester earned a loser point in overtime
Utica CometsRochester AmericansAHL
CLEVELAND, OH - MARCH 29: Utica Comets goaltender Nico Daws (50) on the ice during the second period of the American Hockey League game between the Utica Comets and Cleveland Monsters on March 29, 2026, at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Utica did it’s part winning it’s final three games, but Rochester earned the loser point in their final game of the season to retake the final playoff position.
The “Almost” Comeback
Utica did all it could, going 7-1-1-1 in its final 10 games, good enough for a tie of the best record in the entire AHL during that stretch and winning it’s last three to pull ahead of the Rochester Americans by virtue of the tiebreaker Saturday night, but Rochester had one game left, earning a loser point in OT on Sunday, and retaking the final playoff spot in the North Division. Ultimately, the early hole Utica dug for itself earlier in the season was just too big.
Utica’s final run started Wednesday night with a 3-0 shutout by Jacob Malek, who stopped all 25 shots. Angus Crookshank scored twice, including the game winner, and Matyas Melovsky potted his ninth goal of the season.
The Comets would follow up their win with another on Friday night, this time a 4-1 defeat of the AHL’s best team, the Providence Bruins. This time, center Matyas Melovsky would score the game winner, his tenth, and pick up an assist. Brian Halonen also scored his 20th goal of the season, and Lenni Hameenaho picked up two assists in his return. Goaltender Nico Daws faced little work, stopping 13 of 14 shots.
All this time while the Comets kept winning, Rochester kept losing. What started as Utica needing three wins and for Rochester to lose it’s final three games in regulation became Utica needing only one more win and Rochester losing it’s final two without a point. Rochester cooperated on Saturday with an embarrassing 8-0 loss to the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins.
Q&A
Why did the Utica Comets miss the playoffs?
The Utica Comets missed the playoffs because they finished one point behind Rochester, who secured the final playoff spot by earning a loser point in overtime.
What was Utica Comets' record in their last ten games?
The Utica Comets had a record of 7-1-1-1 in their last ten games, tying for the best record in the AHL during that stretch.
How did Rochester earn the final playoff spot?
Rochester earned the final playoff spot by gaining a loser point in overtime during their last game of the season.
What were the implications of Utica's early season performance?
Utica's early season performance left them with too large a deficit to overcome, ultimately costing them a playoff berth despite their strong finish.
