AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week 20 - NHL Vet Niittymaki Joins Crunch

Published on February 13, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Antero Niittymaki was reassigned to the Crunch by the San Jose Sharks from Worcester on February 7. The Finland native has played in 234 NHL games with Philadelphia, Tampa Bay and San Jose, going 95-86-31 with a 2.95 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage. He has also had a prominent AHL career, capturing the Calder Cup Trophy in 2005 with the Philadelphia Phantoms and earning playoff MVP honors. Niittymaki made two starts with the Crunch last week, dropping a couple of 2-1 decisions to Hershey and Lake Erie. He stopped 47 of the 51 shots he faced for a .922 save percentage.

MAROON, PALMIERI, HOLLAND, AMONG LEAGUE LEADERS: Left wing Patrick Maroon, right wing Kyle Palmieri and center Peter Holland continue their mainstay among the league leaders. Maroon, who has a team-leading 14 multi-point games, is seventh in the league with 49 points (22g, 27a). His 22 goals are tied for sixth. Palmieri, meanwhile, is tied for second in the league with 27 goals. He is also tied for first with six game-winning goals. Palmieri leads the AHL with nine first goals on the season. Holland has been one of the tops rookies all season long. His 36 points (16g, 20a) are tied for seventh among AHL rookies.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

ALBANY (NEW JERSEY DEVILS): Wednesday marks the fifth of 10 meetings of the season between the Crunch and the Albany Devils. The Crunch are 2-2-0-0 against Albany this season, losing the last two game, 4-1, on Saturday at the War Memorial. The latest contest was the first meeting that didn't end in a one-goal game. Albany completed the three-game weekend sweep on Sunday, with a 3-1 win against the Bruins in Providence. They defeated Hamilton at the Copps Coliseum, 4-2, on Friday.

NORFOLK (TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING): The Crunch complete their four-game season series with the Norfolk Admirals with a pair of games in Virginia. The teams have split the first two games, with the Crunch earning a 6-2 decision at home on January 20. Patrick Maroon recorded his second career hat trick and first with the Crunch, and added an assist for a four-point night. Dan Sexton (1g, 2a), Mathieu Carle (3a) and Maxime Macenauer (2g) also recorded multi-point games. Since the loss, the Admirals have gone 6-4-0 and are third place in the East Division and fifth place in the Eastern Conference.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

DATE NIGHT AT THE CRUNCH: The Syracuse Crunch are teaming up with Movin 100.3 and Wolf 105.1 to bring you Date Night at the club's February 24 game against the Albany Devils. Come out to the War Memorial for a pregame party starting at 6 p.m. hosted by Movin' personality Heather! The ticket package is only $25 and includes admission to pregame party, pizza, one complimentary drink ticket and admission to the Crunch game. Whether you're single and looking to meet new people or you're bringing a date, this event is sure to be a good time! To order tickets call the Crunch office at 315-473-4444.

CRUNCHABLES: Peter Holland has eight points in his last 10 games (3g, 5a)...The Crunch last played in Norfolk on February 12 of last year...Devante Smith-Pelly, on conditioning loan from Anaheim, recorded an assist in his first game with the Crunch on Tuesday in Hartford.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 13, 2012


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