Baertschi, Goldobin tearing up the AHL, leading Canucks’ farm club to record start – The Province

Canucks fans were downright apoplectic when Sven Baertschi and Nikolay Goldobin hit the waiver wire last month. The two wingers were among the final training camp cuts as Vancouver set its opening-day roster, a decision that angered many in Vancouver who believed the club had enough depth for three dedicated scoring lines.

Baertschi and Goldobin werent happy either.

It was a tough pill to swallow, Baertschi said this weekend after leading the Comets to a 7-1 victory over the Rochester Americans for the Comets fifth consecutive win, and third consecutive rout. But, I knew I was coming to a great place. So, it was something I was looking forward to. For me, it was coming here making a statement that I belong in the NHL. That was my goal. So far, I think it is going well.

It certainly is. While some Canucks fans remain sore about the demotions, there is likely little anger among the Comets fanbase, where Baertschi and Goldobin wasted little time making their case for a quick return to the NHL by leading Utica to an impressive 5-0 record out of the gate. Its the clubs best start in franchise history.

Its clear that the injection of skill up-front has been the secret to Uticas early success. The Comets havent just prevailed in every game theyve played theyve done so decisively, winning each of their last three contests by a margin of four goals or more. Uticas 29 goals for are tops in the league.

Three of Uticas forwards now occupy the top 10 for AHL scoring: as usual, Reid Boucher is up there. The scoring machine leads all AHLers with 10 points, including a mind-boggling 8 goals in just five games. But Goldobin and Baertschi arent far behind, with nine and eight points, respectively, in just four games apiece after missing the season opener.

In the Comets second showing of the season, a 4-3 overtime victory over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the pair made all the difference. Goldobin picked up an assist on the clubs second goal yet another tally by Boucher and Baertschi took over in the final minutes of regulation, setting up captain Carter Bancks game-tying tally with under three minutes remaining before assisting on Lukas Jaseks overtime winner.

Three days later, Goldobin and Baertschi contributed four assists to Uticas third straight win in their home opener, and this weekend, they combined for 10 points in consecutive routs as Utica outscored their opponents by 14 goals.

At times, the pair has made AHL defenders look silly. Goldobin, for instance, dropped jaws during a two-on-one in the home opener by deking his defender straight into the goalmouth before feeding The Big Fella, Zack Macewen, for a tap-in. That highlight-reel goal can be seen at 1:50 of the package below.

On Saturday, the wingers connected on Uticas sixth goal of the game, practically walking the puck into the opposition net after a won faceoff. They look pretty unstoppable here.

On Monday, Goldobin was singled out for praise when he was named the CCM/AHL Player of the Week, on the strength of a three-game run that saw the winger put up back-to-back three-assist games, eight points and a plus-7 rating.

Provided this doesnt pave the way for a trade, as both players have certainly upped their value of late, one wonders when the Canucks brass will decide the duo is too good for this league. Injuries are coming, and as spots open up on the big club, Vancouver suddenly finds themselves with plenty of depth to patch over the inevitable holes. Baertschi and Goldobin make up two-thirds of an NHL scoring line, and with pivot Adam Gaudette sitting in the press box, its clear the Canucks have a readymade trio simply lying in wait.

Still, nobody in Utica will mind if its a long wait. Loaded with NHL-calibre players, the Comets suddenly look like the team to beat perhaps because nobody has managed it since Baertschi and Goldobin arrived.

Both natural playmakers, the pair are also making life easy for some of the Canucks other developing prospects, like Kole Lind, who is off to a hot start on Baertschis line. Lind, who managed just 17 points in 51 games in his rookie season, already has 7 points in 5 games to start this year, and while one could chalk some of this up to progress, its clear that the shifty young winger is thriving alongside talented linemates. Thats a good sign for his future.

But enough about the future. Lets live in the moment, where the Comets are hotter than ever and for now, at least, boast one of the deepest forward groups in the league.

Utica returns to the ice Friday, Oct. 25 when they battle the Binghamton Devils for a chance to move to 6-0. Provided Baertschi and Goldobin remain with the club, we like their chances.

hmooney@postmedia.com

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