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Syracuse Crunch

Kyle Is Cooking

November 2, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Crunch rookie right wing Kyle Palmieri has been on fire lately. Palmieri tallied six points (5g, 1a) in three games for the Crunch this past week, helping his team to a 1-1-1-0 record. Palmieri started off the week with a night to remember on Wednesday, October 27 at Hamilton, when he was named the game's first star after recording his first professional hat trick in a 5-4 loss to the Bulldogs.

He continued his scoring on Friday night vs. Hershey, picking up the game-tying power play goal with four minutes left in regulation, which eventually helped the Crunch earn a point in a 4-3 overtime loss. The Smithtown, NY native then registered another two points (1g, 1a) in a 3-2 win over Albany on Saturday and was named the game's second star for his effort.

Palmieri is currently riding a five-game point streak, four-game goal streak and has eight total points (6g, 2a) over that span. The 19-year old turned pro after completing his freshman season at the University of Notre Dame (CCHA) in 2009-10, where he recorded 17 points (9g, 8a) in 33 games. Palmieri won a gold medal with the United States at the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championships. He was selected by Anaheim in the first round, 26th overall, in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft.

On Monday, November 1, Palmieri was named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for his accomplishments.

TERRIFIC TRIO: Since being put together on October 22 vs. Norfolk, the line of Nick Bonino, Nicolas Deschamps and Kyle Palmieri has been extremely productive for the Syracuse Crunch.

The rookie trio has combined for 22 points (11g, 11a) over the last five games, with each player tallying at least one point in each of those contests. Palmieri (6g, 2a) and Bonino (2g, 6a) have each recorded eight points, while linemate Deschamps has notched six points (3g, 3a). It is no coincidence that the success of this trio has been in direct correlation with the success of the team, as the Crunch have gone 3-1-1-0 over the last five games since they have been combined.

What's been another bright spot is the fact that all three players are AHL rookies. Because of their success, the Crunch boast three players in the AHL's top-10 in rookie scoring. Palmieri leads all league rookies in goals (7) and is tied for second in shots (31), while Bonino is tied for the rookie league lead in assists (7).

MAN-ADVANTAGE MUSCLE: After starting the season just 1-for-21 on the power play, the Crunch have turned it around dramatically. They have scored a power play goal in each of the last three games and are 7-for-22 with the man advantage over the last five games, good enough to move from 29th to 13th in the AHL.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN: After playing two home games this past weekend, the Crunch hit the road for their next four contests. Syracuse plays three games in three nights this coming weekend from November 5 - 7. The Crunch then travel to Albany on Friday, November 12 before finally returning home to face Hershey on Saturday, November 13 at the War Memorial at Oncenter.

FAMILIAR FACES: The Crunch head to Springfield, Massachusetts on Friday, November 5 to take on the Springfield Falcons. In any other season, it might just be another game, but Crunch fans will see many familiar faces on the Springfield squad. The Falcons are now the affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets and many of the players in Springfield now have played for the Crunch over the past few seasons. The Crunch were affiliated with Columbus for 10 seasons from 2000-10. In all, there are 14 players on Springfield's current roster that have played at least one game for the Crunch, including Mike Blunden, Grant Clitsome, Trevor Frischmon, Steven Goertzen, Tomas Kana, Chad Kolarik, Maksim Mayorov, Tyler Murovich, Kyle Neuber, Mike Ratchuk, Brent Regner, Tom Sestito, Jonathan Sigalet and Dan Taylor.

CRUNCH ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES: The Syracuse Crunch announced a number of roster moves on Monday, November 1.

Shean Donovan (RW) - Signed to professional tryout contract

Nathan Paetsch (D) - Loaned from Vancouver

Nick Bonino (C) - Recalled by Anaheim

John Mitchell (LW) - Loaned to Elmira

UPCOMING GAMES:

SPRINGFIELD FALCONS (COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS): The Crunch travel to Springfield on Friday night for the first of two meetings with the Falcons this season. The Crunch took one of two contests last year and are 11-15-6 in 32 all-time meetings with Springfield. This will mark the first time that the Crunch have played another team that is a Columbus Blue Jackets affiliate, as Syracuse was Columbus' only AHL affiliate in their history up until this season. Crunch fans will see many familiar faces, including Rome, NY native and Springfield leading scorer, Tom Sestito, who has 12 points (5g, 7a) in his first 10 games and played three seasons with the Crunch from 2007-10. Another former Crunch player, Mike Blunden, is right behind Sestito with 11 points (6g, 5a), while goaltender David LeNeveu has been very solid with a 4-2-0 record, 1.96 goals against average and .932 save percentage.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS (PITTSBURGH PENGUINS): The Crunch head to Wilkes-Barre to battle the undefeated Baby Penguins on Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton is off to their best start in franchise history and done it with a very balanced scoring attack. Nick Johnson (3g, 5a) and Dustin Jeffrey (2g, 6a) lead the way with eight points each, while Joe Vitale (5g, 1a), Andrew Hutchinson (2g, 4a) and Chris Conner (2g, 4a) are all tied for third on the club in scoring with six points apiece. Recently named co-AHL Goaltenders of the Month John Curry and Brad Thiessen have combined to go 8-0-0 with a 1.84 goals against average and .935 save percentage.

BINGHAMTON SENATORS (OTTAWA SENATORS): The Crunch finish off a three-game in three-day stretch with a 5:05 p.m. Sunday matinee at Binghamton. The Crunch won the only other meeting between these two clubs this year, a 2-1 decision back on October 16 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Timo Pielmeier stopped 31 of 32 shots and only had his shutout broken when Binghamton's Bobby Butler scored with just 1:10 remaining in regulation. The home team has dominated this rivalry over the last five seasons, as the Crunch have gone 5-12-2-1 at the Broome County Veterans Memorial Arena over that span.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

SYRACUSE CRUNCH AND THE UPS STORE PARTNER WITH FOOD BANK OF CNY TO FIGHT HUNGER: The Syracuse Crunch and The UPS Stores of Central New York have partnered with Food Bank of CNY to help fight hunger in the Central New York community in the spirit of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

During the month of November, fans can stop in at any area The UPS Store location and donate any of the items off the Food Bank of CNY's preferred donation list to receive a voucher for a complimentary ticket to their choice of one (1) of the following Syracuse Crunch home games:

Saturday, December 18 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Sunday, December 19 vs. Hartford

Participating The UPS Store locations are as follows:

Auburn: 144 Genesee Street

Baldwinsville: 8417 Oswego Road

Cicero: 5701 East Circle Drive

Dewitt: 4465 East Genesee Street

Downtown: 201 East Jefferson Street

East Syracuse: 6701 Manlius Center Road

Fayetteville: 201 West Genesee Street

Manlius: 131 West Seneca Street

Nottingham: 118 Julian Place

Skaneateles: 27 Fennell Street

Western Lights: 4736 Onondaga Blvd.

Offer valid while supplies last. Vouchers are good only for dates indicated. Tickets are subject to availability. Food Bank of CNY's preferred donations include canned tuna, canned beans/legumes, dried beans/legumes, peanut butter, dinner 'mixes,' pasta, rice, grains, cereals, oatmeal, soups and stews, canned/dried fruits and canned vegetables.

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

Wednesday, November 3 10:30 a.m. Practice @ Cicero Twin Rinks

Thursday, November 4 11:00 a.m. Practice @ Cicero Twin Rinks

Friday, November 5 Game @ Springfield 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 6 Game Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 7:05 p.m.

Sunday, November 7 10:00 a.m. Practice @ Cicero Twin Rinks

CRUNCHABLES: Defenseman Luca Sbisa has at least a point in all five games he has appeared in for the Crunch this season and has eight points (2g, 6a) overall.With his 10 penalty minutes Friday night vs. Hershey, Jon Mirasty became just the third player in Crunch history to top the 700 penalty minute mark.Mirasty is now 52 penalty minutes behind Brandon Sugden for second on the club's all-time list.Syracuse has led after two periods in six of their nine games this year and are 3-2-1-0 in those contests.The Crunch lead all AHL teams with 22.33 penalty minutes per game.Syracuse is one of five AHL teams without a regulation loss at home this season.

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