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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Continue to Climb

March 23, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY - The Crunch climbed into seventh place in the Eastern Conference after defeating the St. John's IceCaps 5-4 via a shootout tonight at the War Memorial Arena.

Tonight's win was the second consecutive game which the Crunch have won in a shootout and improves their overall record to 31-27-4-4.

The Crunch and IceCaps combined for seven goals in a wild first period which ended with a 4-3 Crunch lead. Goaltender Igor Bobkov entered the game nearly midway through the period in relief of Iiro Tarkki and went on to stop 22 of 23 shots through regulation and overtime, as well as four shooters in the shootout.

Former IceCap Riley Holzapfel opened the scoring just 1:08 into the contest. Holzapfel one-timed a Brandon McMillan feed past IceCaps netminder David Aebischer for his 14th goal of the season.

Just moments later J.F. Jacques made it 2-0 with a power-play goal. Peter Holland threw the puck on net and Jacques was in perfect position to knock the puck past Aebischer.

The IceCaps responded with two goals in quick succession. Patrice Cormier snuck the puck between Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki and the far post at the 4:50 mark of the first period. Less than two minutes later John Albert tied the game with a shorthanded goal.

IceCaps right wing Jason King gave St. John's a 3-2 lead at the 8:14 mark of the first period. After allowing three goals on six shots Tarkki was replaced by Bobkov.

The Crunch responded with an unassisted goal from Troy Bodie at the 9:49 mark of the period. Bodie's wrist shot tied the game at 3-3 and Luca Caputi sent the Crunch into the first intermission with a 4-3 lead thanks to a power-play tally at the 15:11 mark.

After the flurry of goals that started the game, the second period was a defensive battle with the lone goal going to St. John's defenseman Jason DeSantis with just 37 seconds remaining in the middle frame. The IceCaps began the second period with Edward Pasquale replacing Aebischer in goal. Aebischer allowed four goals on 19 shots.

Neither team could score in the third period or extra session forcing a shootout. Patrick Maroon and Caputi scored in the tiebreaker resulting in a final score of 5-4.

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