AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Drop 5-2 Decision in Hamilton

January 6, 2012 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Hamilton, ON (January 6, 2012) - The Syracuse Crunch dropped a 5-2 decision to the Hamilton Bulldogs tonight at the Copps Coliseum.

The Bulldogs capitalized on the game's first penalty and got on the scoreboard with a power-play goal from Aaron Palusaj at the 14:40 mark of the first period. The Bulldogs were on the man-advantage with Crunch defenseman Mathieu Carle serving a two minute tripping penalty. Crunch netminder Iiro Tarkki was able to turn aside an initial Bulldogs shot, but Palusaj was able to tap in the rebound.

The Bulldogs added two more goals in the second stanza, courtesy of Louis Leblanc and Brian Willsie, sending the Crunch into the locker room trailing 3-0 after 40 minutes of play. Leblanc's shot beat Tarkki glove side after he received a feed from Andreas Engqvist while on an odd-man rush at the 10:43 mark of the second period. Willsie added a power-play tally at the 18:33 mark of the period.

The Crunch got off to a quick start during the final frame, making it 3-1 less than three minutes into the third. Carle threw the puck on net where Rick Schofield was positioned to push the puck past Hamilton goaltender Nathan Lawson.

At the 7:19 mark of the third period Troy Bodie collided with Lawson behind Hamilton's net. Officials ruled a check to the head occurred during the collision and Bodie was assessed a match penalty. Lawson went to the locker room after being slow to get up and was replaced with Robert Mayer.

Palusaj extended the Bulldogs lead to 4-1 with his second goal of the game at the 9:13 mark of the third. Palusaj stole the puck behind the Crunch net and tucked the puck through the legs of Tarkki.

The Crunch cut the Bulldogs lead in half with a goal from Patrick Maroon at the 13: 25 mark of the third period. Luca Caputi backhanded the puck to Maroon who was able to put the puck past Mayer.

The Bulldogs added an empty net goal from Aalexander Avtsin for the final score of 5-2.

Crunchables: Defenseman Matt Smaby was assigned to the Crunch by Anaheim earlier this afternoon...Three current Crunch players are former Hamilton Bulldog players (Deslauriers 2005-06, Bodie 2006-07, Carle 2007-11)...Luca Caputi's assist on Patrick Maroon's goal was his first point as a member of the Crunch

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American Hockey League Stories from January 6, 2012


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