AHL: Jakub Malek Continues Impressive Start with Shutout

The Utica Comets are off to a 10-2-0-0 start with last night’s 1-0 victory over the Belleville Senators. Xavier Parent scored the lone goal on the power play. The Comets are on a six-game winning streak.

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They are also on a 156:38 shutout streak; the last goal they allowed came against Rochester at 4:22 into the second period. The story of the night, however, was Jakub Malek, who made his fifth start of the season. He picked up his first shutout of the season. Malek stopped all 19 shots he faced in the shutout.

He improved to 4-1-0 with a 1.39 goals-against average, a .921 save percentage, and a shutout. The lone loss came against division-leading Laval, where he allowed a season-high three goals on 17 shots. He’s allowed one goal twice, and two goals once in his other starts. He’s second in the AHL in goals-against average. He is behind Carl Lindbom, who will likely play tomorrow, so entering their next game Saturday, Malek could be the league leader.

The Devils ‘ fourth-round pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft made his debut in the organization last season. He went 13-14-3 with a 2.75 goals-against average, an .895 save percentage, and three shutouts. Malek also appeared in two games for Adirondack in the ECHL. He went 1-0-1 with a 1.91 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage.