Crunch Weekly
January 21, 2013 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release
Last Week
Fri., Jan. 18 - Crunch at Rochester - L, 4-1
Sat. Jan 19 - Crunch vs. Lake Erie - L, 4-2
This Week
Fri., Jan. 25- Crunch vs. Binghamton, 7:30 p.m.
Sat., Jan 26 - Crunch vs. St. John's, 7:30 p.m.
Need to Know
- Despite a three-game losing streak, Syracuse is tied for the third most points in the AHL (53).
- Among active AHL players, Tyler Johnson has the most goals (20) and third most points (37).
- Syracuse has two home games in Week 16, hosting Binghamton Friday and St. John's Saturday.
WEEK IN REVIEW
Game 38: Amerks hand Crunch second straight loss
Facing the Rochester Americans for the third time in four games, Syracuse spotted the Amerks a 3-0 lead and lost 4-1 Friday at Blue Cross Arena. Rochester goals from Mark Mancari (11) in the first and Brian Flynn (13) and Evan Rankin (9) in the second supported goalie David Leggio who finished the contest with 26 saves, less stresful than the 41 saves he made against Syracuse in the prior meeting. The only goal allowed by Leggio came late in the second on a scrum around the net when Jared Nightingale nudged the puck barely across the goal line for his first in a Crunch uniform, with Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat assisting. The Amerks sealed the win on Phil Varone's fourth of the season in the third. The game had only six penalty minutes (four for Syracuse, two for Rochester), the smallest combined total for a Syracuse-Rochester matchup since 2010. Dustin Tokarski made 23 saves but suffered the loss, snapping his seven-game win streak. Kyle Wilson made his Crunch debut and was minus-1.
Game 39: Lake Erie survives Syracuse comeback
The Crunch fell behind 2-0 for the fourth straight game and lost 4-2 to Lake Erie, the first of two meetings with the Monsters this season. After a scoreless first, Paul Carey (7) and Thomas Pock (5) scored before the halfway mark of the second. Ondrej Palat answered for Syracuse, scoring his fifth of the year 25 seconds after the Monsters took a 2-0 lead. Brett Connolly and Radko Gudas earned helpers at 9:20. Six minutes later Palat tied the game for Syracuse on a shorthanded breakaway with Tyler Johnson. The 2-2 score remained into the final stages of the third period despite a five-minute power play for the Crunch following a major boarding penalty to Cameron Guance. Shortly thereafter, Bill Thomas converted on a Monsters power-play and Joel Chouinard potted an empty netter as time expired. Riku Helenius made 19 saves on 22 Lake Erie shots while Calvin Pickard made 29 stops on 31 Syracuse shots.
Transactions
1/15/2013 Alex Hutchings (LW) DEL Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) to Florida (ECHL)
1/15/2013 Charles Landry (D) DEL Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) to Florida (ECHL)
1/16/2013 Alex Hutchings (LW) ADD Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) from Florida (ECHL)
1/17/2013 Mark Barberio (D) ADD Returned on loan from Tampa Bay (NHL)
1/17/2013 Radko Gudas (D) ADD Returned on loan from Tampa Bay (NHL)
1/17/2013 Tyler Johnson (C) ADD Returned on loan from Tampa Bay (NHL)
1/18/2013 J.T. Wyman (RW) ADD Returned on loan from Tampa Bay (NHL)
1/18/2013 Mike Angelidis (C) ADD Returned on loan from Tampa Bay (NHL)
1/18/2013 Kyle Wilson (C) ADD Loaned from Tampa Bay (NHL)
1/21/2013 J.F. Jacques (LW) ADD Loaned from Tampa Bay (NHL)
1/21/2013 Charles Landry (D) ADD Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) from Florida (ECHL)
1/21/2013 Alex Hutchings (LW) DEL Reassigned by Tampa Bay (NHL) to Florida (ECHL)
Notes
- After having their best winning streak of the season (five games, Dec. 31-Jan. 11) the Crunch have suffered their worst losing streak (three games, Jan. 12-19). Syracuse's 4-1 loss in Rochester Friday broke a string of 85 consecutive games (regular- and post-season) without back-to-back losses for a Tampa Bay Lighting AHL affiliate. The organization last dopped consecutive AHL games when Norfolk lost Jan. 28 and Feb. 3, 2012.
- Ondrej Palat posted his first two-goal effort of the year Saturday vs. Lake Erie. It was Palat's sixth multi-point game of the season and first since Dec. 28 vs. Norfolk (1g, 1a). Palat has four points (2g, 2a) in a three-game scoring streak. The second of Palat's two goals Saturday was his first shorthanded marker of the season, the team's fifth.
- Defenseman Jared Nightingale scored his first goal of the season Friday in Rochester, the 12th of his AHL career and 16th as a pro. Nightingale's shootout game-winning goal Friday vs. Norfolk was the first shootout attempt of his career, having played over 400 regular-season games in the ECHL and AHL.
- Syracuse leads the AHL in goals-per game, 3.44, but has not scored three goals in a game during it's three-game losing streak. The Crunch are 13th in goals-against average, 2.77, but have surrendered four goals in each of the last three games. Syracuse continues to limit opponents's shots better than any AHL team, 25.03 per game, while registering 33 shots of their own, the third highest average in the league.
- The Crunch power play has one goal in the last six games, 1-for-21 or 4.8%. The team's overall power play is 13th in the AHL at 17.9% (34-for-190). Nine teams have had more power-play chances than Syracuse.
- In the same six-game span, the Crunch penalty kill has allowed eight power-play goals in 27 chances, a 70.1% penalty-kill percentage. Overall, Syracuse is 11th in penalty killing at 84.2% (170-for-202). Only the Rockford IceHogs have given opponents more power-play chances (212).
THE WEEK AHEAD
Crunch vs. Binghamton - Friday, 7:30 p.m.
For the sixth time this season, and the first time since late December, the Syracuse Crunch face division rival the Binghamton Senators. Including Friday night, these two teams meet three more times this season, with two of those match ups taking place at the War Memorial Arena in Syracuse. The Crunch have won three of the first five meetings this season: a 6-5 win in overtime Oct. 20, a 4-3 victory Dec. 12, and a 5-3 win Dec. 26. The Senators won 2-1 Nov. 23 and 5-2 Dec. 2. They split the first two meetings in Syracuse.
Binghamton has gone 7-2-0-1 in its last ten games to leapfrog the Crunch in the Eastern Division. The Senators record stand at 25-9-1-3, good for 54 points, first place in the Eastern Division, first place in the Eastern Conference, and second overall in the AHL. The two leading scorers for the Senators, Jakob Silfverberg (13g-16a-29pts) and Andre Benoit (9g-16a-25pts) are now both on the Ottawa Senators roster. The active leading scorers for Binghamton are left wing Mike Hoffman (11g-12a-23pts), center Stephane De Costa (9g-13a-22pts), and right wing Hugh Jessiman (7g-11a-18pts). The two top goalies for the Sens have also been sent to Ottawa, and the two remaining goalies on the Binghamton roster have played in a combined five games. Nathan Lawson is 3-1 with a 3.08 goals against average while Marc Cheverie made his season debut in a 4-2 loss on Saturday night.
Dustin Tokarski has played in all five games in goal against the Senators, including once in relief of Riku Helanius, who played only once against the Sens. Tokarski is 3-2 with a 2.88 goals against average and a .886 save percentage. Tyler Johnson and Brett Connolly each have five points against Binghamton, leading the way for the Crunch.
Crunch vs. St. John's - Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
For the second time this year, the Syracuse Crunch will face the St. John's IceCaps on Saturday. It's the second of four meetings this year, with the last two coming on back-to-back nights in Newfoundland. The IceCaps won the first meeting of the year, coming back from a 4-0 deficit to secure a 5-4 overtime win in Syracuse on Dec. 29.
The IceCaps is 3-5-1-1 in their last ten games, dropping to 17-20-1-2 on the season. That places St. John's in fifth place in the Atlantic Division and 13th in the Eastern Conference with 37 points. The leading scorers for the IceCaps are left wing Jason Jaffray (6g-16a-22pts), right wing Spencer Machacek (9g-10a-19pts), and right wing Raymond Sawada (8g-10a-18pts). In goal, the IceCaps are led by Eddie Pasquale and his 10-14-2-3 record along with a 2.55 goals against average and a .917 save percentage. Riku Helanius got the start in goal for the Crunch in the only previous meeting, allowing all five goals in the overtime loss. Alex Killorn had a goal and an assist in that meeting to lead the Crunch.
Upcoming promotions:
Friday, Jan. 25 vs. Binghamton - Ale N Angus Thunderstick Giveaway
The first 2,000 fans in attendance when the Crunch take on the Binghamton Senators on Friday, Jan. 25 will receive Thundersticks courtesy of Ale N Angus.
Saturday, Jan. 26 vs. St. John's - Servpro Salute to Fire Fighters night
Local fire fighters are eligible for half-priced tickets when the Crunch face the St. John's IceCaps on Saturday, Jan. 26. Tickets may be redeemed with proper identification at the Crunch office or by calling 315-473-4444.
• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...
American Hockey League Stories from January 21, 2013
- IceCaps Pull Through with Third Period Comeback - St. John's IceCaps
- Blackhawks Assign Karlsson to Rockford - Rockford IceHogs
- Kings Recall Bodnarchuk - Manchester Monarchs
- Hogs Squander Lead, Lose 6-3 - Rockford IceHogs
- Flames Acquire 7th Round Pick From Chicago In Exchange For Henrik Karlsson - Abbotsford Heat
- Panthers Recall Drew Shore - San Antonio Rampage
- Falcons Weekly Notes - Springfield Falcons
- Griffins Sign Mike Knuble - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Goals Galore: Texas Rallies for 6-3 Win over Rockford - Texas Stars
- Fast Start Keys Amerks' 6-3 Win over Bulldogs - Rochester Americans
- Amerks Tame 'Dogs, 6-3 - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Steve Stirling and Alex Kyrias on the latest edition of Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Steve Stirling and Alex Kyrias on the latest edition of Puska on Pucks - OSC Original by Denis Puska
- Flames Assign Henrik Karlsson to Abbotsford - Abbotsford Heat
- PBR brings world's best bull riders back to Oklahoma City - Oklahoma City Barons
- Andersson Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Grand Rapids' Joakim Andersson Named CCM/AHL Player of the Week - AHL
- Sharks Look to Get Back on Track this Week - Worcester Sharks Weekly - Worcester Sharks
- Lashoff Recalled by Detroit - Grand Rapids Griffins
- McGinn Goes to Philly: for Real this Time - Adirondack Phantoms
- Crunch Weekly - Syracuse Crunch
- Falcons Announce Details Of Big Y 24-Hour Outdoor Game - Springfield Falcons
- Admirals Recall Luca Caputi from ECHL Fort Wayne - Norfolk Admirals
- Wolves Weekly Notes - Chicago Wolves
- Hogs Split Divisional Tilts - Rockford IceHogs
- Hamilton Bulldogs Weekly - Hamilton Bulldogs
- Matinee Game Today at the BMO - Rockford IceHogs
- Barons Sign Brett Clark to AHL Contract; Release Henry from PTO - Oklahoma City Barons
- Lightning Acquire J.F. Jacques, Former Crunch Forward Returns to Syracuse - Syracuse Crunch
- Anaheim Returns Frederik Andersen to Admirals; Recalls Viktor Fasth - Norfolk Admirals
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Syracuse Crunch Stories
- Crunch Blanked by Amerks, 2-0
- Syracuse Crunch Loan Goaltender Brandon Halverson to Orlando Solar Bears
- Syracuse Crunch Weekly - Vol. 30, No. 24
- Syracuse Crunch Partner with Turning Stone Resort Casino to Hold Are You Smarter Than a Crunch Player Trivia April 3
- Crunch Defeat Bruins, 3-2, in Shootout