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Syracuse Crunch

Penalty Kill Progressing

November 2, 2009 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Although the Crunch power play has been struggling recently, the other half of the special teams has turned it on, as the club has killed off 15 consecutive man-advantages against, including killing off all 10 penalties against them in Sunday's contest at Adirondack.

Syracuse also went 5-for-5 on the PK in Friday night's 2-0 shutout win over Norfolk and now currently sits 14th in the AHL in that category, stifling the opposition's offense on 50-of-59 chances, good for an 84.7% success rate.

The Crunch's PK has been even better in three games at the War Memorial at Oncenter, killing off 17 of 19 penalties, good for an 89.5% success rate.

DAN SHUTS THE DOOR: In seven games so far this season, Crunch goaltender Dan LaCosta has faced a lot of shots. In fact, in 488 minutes, LaCosta has faced 289 shots, an average of 36.13 shots against per game. He ranks fourth in the AHL in saves, with 262.

Despite being peppered with so many pucks, LaCosta has locked down three of the Crunch's four wins this season. None were more impressive than his 2-0 shutout win over Norfolk this past Friday at the Norfolk Scope. He made 32 saves, including a great glove save and a diving stop across the crease in the game's final minutes to keep the Admirals off the scoreboard. For his effort, he was named the game's first star.

LaCosta was also in goal for the last shutout the Crunch recorded as a team, a 4-0 win at Rochester back on January 22, 2009. In all, he has blanked the opposition seven (7) times in his AHL career and currently sits second on the club's all-time list in shutouts, behind only J.F. Labbe and Crunch assistant coach, Karl Goehring, who each have 11.

LaCosta is 3-4-0-1 this season with a 3.32 goals against average and.907 save percentage. A native of Labrador City, Newfoundland, he was selected by Columbus in the third round, 93rd overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

UPCOMING GAMES:

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (FLORIDA PANTHERS): The Crunch make the just over one hour trek to Rochester Friday night to take on the Amerks in the third contest at the Blue Cross Arena and fourth of 10 overall meetings between these two clubs this season. The Crunch are 0-2-1-0 against the Rochester so far this year, losing both road contests to their I-90 rivals. Syracuse notched its only point of the series in a hard-fought 3-2 overtime loss at the War Memorial at Oncenter back on October 24. Crunch right wing Maksim Mayorov leads his club in scoring against Rochester this year, tallying two points (1g, 1a) in the three contests. Michal Repik (2g, 2a) and Chris Taylor (1g, 3a) lead the Americans and all players in scoring in the season series, with four points each. Amerks rookie goaltender Alexander Salak has started all three games against the Crunch this year and is 3-0-0 with a 0.98 goals against average and.966 save percentage.

NORFOLK ADMIRALS (TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING): The Crunch welcome in the Norfolk Admirals for the second time this season to the War Memorial at Oncenter Saturday and the third of six overall meetings between these two new East Division rivals. The Crunch have taken the previous two contests, a 5-4 win back on October 16 and a 2-0 shutout win this past Friday at the Norfolk Scope. Derek MacKenzie leads the Crunch and all scorers in the season series in scoring, with three assists. Two of Dan LaCosta's three wins on the season have come against Norfolk, and he is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 goals against average and.931 save percentage against the Admirals. Ryan Craig (2g, 0a), Mark Parrish (1g, 1a) and Juraj Simek (0g, 2a) lead the way for Norfolk in scoring against the Crunch.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

P&C FOOD AND PHARMACY NESTLE CANDY PROMOTION: In the month of November, anyone that purchases two (2) Nestle product candy bags or boxes will receive $5 off a regularly priced Crunch adult ticket. The Nestle items are limited to Nestle and Wonka brand fun size bags, 8-packs, stand up bags and concession boxes. This cannot be combined with any other offers.

COOLWATERS POOL AND SPA CRUNCH POOL TABLE GIVEAWAY: Beginning this month, fans can enter-to-win a custom Syracuse Crunch pool table, courtesy of CoolWaters Pool and Spa. The American Billiards 'Eliminator' model pool table, which normally retails for $2,500, comes in a traditional cherry finish and includes two cues, chalk, triangle and bridge.

In addition, the one inch slate table features a customized Crunch logo in the center and is currently on display in the Crunch Club during home games. In order to enter, fans can stop in at CoolWaters Pool and Spa, visit the Guest Services Table near room 243 during Crunch home games, or email Karen Simbari at ksimbari@syracusecrunch.com with their full name and contact information.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The Crunch's weekly schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, November 3

11:00 a.m. Practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Wednesday, November 4

10:30 a.m. Practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Thursday, November 5

10:30 a.m. Practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Friday, November 6

10:00 a.m. Skate @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Game @ Rochester 7:05p.m.

Saturday, November 7

10:00 a.m. Skate at War Memorial at Oncneter

Game vs. Norfolk 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, November 8

TBD

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch are one of six AHL teams left without a regulation loss at home this season...Syracuse's power play is 0 for its last 22.Syracuse is averaging 35.27 shots against per game, the second highest total in the AHL. Mathieu Roy appeared in his first game and notched his first point, an assist, as a member of the Crunch Friday at Norfolk.Pascal Pelletier's goal Friday was his first since October 10, a span of six games...Syracuse won its first game Friday at Norfolk when scoring less than four goals.

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