Fabian Zetterlund relishes NHL debut, helping Utica Comets have success
Fabian Zetterlund has provided a strong example to help explain the Utica Comets’ scorching start to the American Hockey League season.
The 22-year-old Swedish center, who earned his first NHL call-up Nov. 17 and played three games with the parent New Jersey Devils, immediately made an impact in his return to the Comets’ lineup.
On Saturday at Charlotte, Utica got a 5-on-3 advantage power play. With Zetterlund at the bottom of the left circle, he accepted a pass from fellow standout forward Alexander Holtz and promptly ripped a shot from an odd angle past goaltender Joey Daccord for his fourth goal of the season.
The goal was all the Comets needed to top a tough Charlotte team with help from a strong goaltending performance by Akira Schmid, who earned his first AHL shutout. The next day, he assisted on the go-ahead goal by A.J. Greer to help the Comets earn their 15th win in 16 games.
The Comets’ 15 wins and .938 winning percentage were best in the AHL entering Wednesday. The start remains the Comets’ best in the team’s nine seasons. Utica continues to get contributions throughout the lineup despite navigating the usual call-ups and injuries.
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The Comets -- who also had scoring leader Chase De Leo assigned to the team Tuesday -- have an opportunity to add to their success when they open the December portion of their schedule with a meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday against North Division foe Belleville. It is among three Comets' home games in December.
Comets coach Kevin Dineen pointed to Zetterlund's skating and the way he pressures opposing players as key to his game.
“I like (my game) so far,” said Zetterlund, whose 11 points are third most for the Comets through 16 games. “I try to do my best every shift. I try to drive hard to the net and get scoring chances.”
The strong start for Zetterlund comes after back-to-back 19-point seasons with New Jersey’s AHL affiliate beginning with the 19-20 season. He’s a point shy of reaching 50 total over 92 AHL games.
The NHL call-up was a good reward for Zetterlund, who appears to be playing with much confidence along with the rest of his Comets teammates.
“(Playing in the NHL) was unreal for me. Now that I’ve been there, I know how everything works,” Zetterlund said. “It is easier when (the Comets) win games. We have fun as a group. We’re getting better every day. We have a lot of fun, too.”
Dineen said Zetterlund “exemplifies” why the team has been successful.
“When you watch him play, I think he plays the game with a tempo that is really, really hard for teams to deal with in a lot of ways,” said Dineen, who called Zetterlund an "impact player" for the Comets. “That works in the offensive and defensive side of the puck. He’s had a very good showing and I thought it was a deserved call-up. I think players understand there’s a lot of depth in the organization, and there’s pressure from above, there’s pressure from inside. … Fabian has opened some eyes this season.”
Top goaltending
Utica's rookie goaltending prospects Akira Schmid and Nico Daws ended November as the top tandem in the AHL.
With help from his first shutout Saturday, Schmid has an AHL-best 1.42 goals-against average and .951 save percentage. He has a 7-0 record and would need one more win to tie Thatcher Demko for longest win streak for a Comets' goaltender. Demko had eight consecutive wins in February and March 2017.
Meanwhile, Nico Daws' 2.21 goals-against average and .929 save percentage are third-best in the AHL. He's 8-1-0.
Dineen has praised the play of Schmid and Daws.
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Changes?
The Comets' weekend schedule appears to be in a wait-and-see mode. Both Hartford (New York Rangers' affiliate) and Providence (Boston's affiliate) are each dealing with COVID-19 outbreaks, according to reports.
The AHL announced the postponement of Hartford's game Wednesday against Springfield. Meanwhile, Boston's General Manager Don Sweeney told media Tuesday the Bruins couldn't recall any players from Providence because of issues with COVID-19.
That's notable because Utica is scheduled to play Saturday night at Hartford and Sunday afternoon in Providence.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the AHL had not announced any changes to either game for the Comets.
Good to know
Belleville Senators vs. Utica Comets
WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday
WHERE: Adirondack Bank Center at Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica
BROADCAST: WPNY (channel 12 for Spectrum subscribers in the Utica area); KROCK 94.9 FM; AHLTV (go to watchtheahl.com, subscription required.
RECORDS ENTERING WEDNESDAY: Belleville 9-8-0-0 (.529, percentage, 5th place in North Division); Utica 15-1-0-0 (.938 percentage, 1st place in North Division)
PROMOTIONS: There are $3 domestic beers for every home game on Wednesday this season.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Goaltender Matt Murray, who has played more than 230 NHL games, was assigned to Belleville on Sunday. Murray is 0-5-0 with a 3.26 goals-against average in six games this season with the Ottawa Senators. ... Comets defenseman Reilly Walsh has two goals and six assists in his last seven games.
Ben Birnell is a sports reporter for the Observer-Dispatch. Email Ben Birnell at bbirnell@gannett.com.