Goaltender Nico Daws became the Utica Comets all-time wins leader this past week.

It took a 2-1 shootout victory, but Nico Daws defeated Laval last week to sneak past Thatcher Demko as the Utica Comets all-time leader in wins with 56. The Comets, who at least temporarily have slipped past the Belleville Senators into sixth place in the North Division and out of last place for the first time since the beginning of the season. Here’s the magic moment.

What a record like this symbolizes more than anything is just how long Daws has been in the system. Daws first suited up for the Comets in 2021-22. Over the course of his AHL career, Daws has amassed a 57-60-16 record, five shutouts, a 2.86 GAA and a .898 SV%. Had Daws not been called up so often or suited up for a better team, then he would have undoubtedly broken this record much sooner. A restricted free agent with arbitration rights at the end of the season, it’s uncertain what Daws’s future with this franchise will be, but he has been a steady third goalie these past few years. Congratulations to Daws on the milestone.

After the record-setting game, the Comets would go on to win both of their weekend games. Malek and Daws each earned a win, raising Daws’s franchise lead to 57. Defenseman Topias Vilen pocket three primary assists during Saturday’s 5-3 victory. Prospects Cam Squires and Matyas Melovsky each scored a goal and an assist over the weekend. Veteran Ryan Schmelzer exploded for five points in two contests. Nathan Legare had a pair of goals and an assist. Overall, it was a solid effort by both prospects and veterans.

Much like the Devils, the Comets are chasing probably too late to make the playoffs. As of Sunday, the Comets sit in a tie for sixth place of the North Division with 59 points, six points behind 5th place Rochester for the final playoff spot and Rochester has played two fewer games.

The Comets have eight games remaining on the season, three of which are against the dominant, best-in-the-AHL Providence Bruins. It will be a tough slog, and much like the Devils, it appears to be too little, too late, for this year.

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