New Jersey Devils Prospect Update: Jakub Malek Posts Back to Back Shutouts

Jakub Malek earned his second shutout in as many starts. Is it time to make him the number one goaltender in Utica? This posts takes a look at the situation in net for the Comets.

Malek Time

Goaltender Jakub Malek stopped all 20 shots he faced on Saturday to shut down the Rochester Americans 3-0. Aided by goals from Angus Crookshank, Brian Halonen, and Ryan Schmelzer, Malek shut the door for his second shutout in a row after a 15 save effort last weekend.

Nico Daws earned the loss on Friday night 5-2 against the Syracuse Crunch, stopping 31 of 35. Malek has now improved over Daws with a 5-6-1 record, 2.75 GAA and .894 SV% in Utica, which elevates to 2.60 and .900% when his ECHL games are added into the mix. Daws is 6-11-7 with a 2.98 GAA and .885 SV% this year for the Comets as the number one starter.

After this article was written, Nico Daws stopped 25 of 29 in a 5-4 shootout loss to the Belleville Senators on Sunday. Daws did everything he could to keep the Comets in the game, but could not get the victory in the skills competition.

Around the Pool:

• Goaltender Mikhail Yegorov also earned his second shutout of the season Saturday night for Boston University. Yegorov has improved to 12-8-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .903 SV% on the year and made some history in the game.

• Winger Conrad Fondrk earned an assist this week after moving up to Boston University’s top line, giving him 7 points in 16 games.
• Winger Kasper Pikkarainen scored two goals in his first game playing for the TPS U20 squad.
• Defensive defenseman Chase Cheslock continues to break out for the University of St. Thomas. The 6’3, 205 lb RHD now has 21 points in 24 games. Cheslock also had this choice quote about their last game.

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