Slovak hockey defenseman Šimon Nemec had an exceptional match in points in the lower overseas competition of the AHL. He helped his Utica Comets beat the Hartford Wolf Pack 7-3 with two goals and three assists. It is the first 5-point game of the 20-year-old German in the AHL, in which he has played 101 games so far.
Šimon Nemec became the first star in the match, in which he also added four shots on goal and three plus points. Šimon Nemec’s previous high in the AHL was 4 points (2+2) on November 11, 2023 against Rochester in a 6:0 victory.
Currently against Hartford, the German started his five-point drive in the first period with a pass to Nolan Foot to make it 2-0. His goal from the second period to make it 4:3 was also the winner, and in the third period he also added a goal to make it 5:3 and secondary assists in the last two hits of his team to make it 6:3 and 7:3.
The German has a balance of 5 goals and 11 assists in 23 games in the AHL this season, as well as 3 pluses and 10 penalty minutes.
After being transferred from the NHL to the AHL, he struggled for a while, but now he has stabilized his performance and started scoring regularly. In the last nine games, he scored five goals and seven assists, he had multiple points in three games.
The German started the current season in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils, but after nine games with a record of 1 assist, coach Sheldon Keefe put him on the stand and later transferred him to the lower AHL competition with the explanation that he would gain game experience. In the New Jersey team, he was criticized for insufficient defensive play.
“It’s already better from the hockey side. I didn’t have an ideal period, probably the worst in my career. It’s over, I’m playing my hockey. I do the things I know.
It’s not in the league I’d like to be in, but it’s better,” said Šimon Nemec in a recent interview for Šport.
He commented on the recent game against Syracuse, in which he scored a goal and added two assists: “I needed it. I confirmed to myself that I didn’t forget it and I can play hockey. Unfortunately, the situation was not ideal before.”
Despite the German’s improved performance, Utica is still last in the AHL North Division, 11 points behind Belleville. In the Eastern Conference, only Bridgeport is behind Utica in the table, which has 4 points less.
Paradoxically, with the return of the German to the first team, it looks increasingly unlikely. The Devils are having a great season, they are the second best team in the Eastern Conference. In the defense that works for them, there is no reason for more hits.
ESPN journalist Kevin Weekes reported that New Jersey has to work on the arrival of a forward before the transfer deadline and also wants to expand the defensive depth, that is, bring a player into the defensive formation.
If the transfer rumors were to come true, the arrival of another defender would practically make it impossible for the German to return to the first team. During his last “rookie” season in the NHL, he collected 19 points in 60 games.
At the moment, however, it seems that the German’s way back to the professional league in the jersey of New Jersey will be very difficult. Over the past few months, there has been more and more speculation overseas about his replacement.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
