
Crunch Fall to Bears in Niittymaki's Debut
Published on February 10, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release
Syracuse, NY - Antero Niittymaki made 30 saves in his Syracuse Crunch debut but the Crunch fell 2-1 to the Hershey Bears tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Rick Schofield gave the Crunch a 1-0 lead after blasting a snap shot from the far circle past Hershey netminder Braden Holtby with 6:50 to play in the first. Luca Caputi and former Hershey Bear Andrew Gordon picked up assists on the play.
The Bears responded with 3:08 to play in the period with a power-play goal from Cody Eakin. While Schofield was serving two minutes for tripping, Cody Eakin scored to tie the game at one. Bears defenseman Patrick McNeil fed Eakin, who was wide open at the circle and able to fire a slap shot past Niittymaki.
Right wing Garrett Mitchell scored the eventual game-winner with under three minutes to play in the middle frame. Mitchell slid across the goal line along with the puck which had rebounded from a Tomas Kundratek shot.
The Crunch put 13 shots on goal in the final frame but were unable to find the equalizer, resulting in 2-1 final. With the loss tonight, the Crunch drop to 19-20-4-3 on the season.
The Crunch will face the Albany Devils Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the War Memorial Arena.
American Hockey League Stories from February 10, 2012
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- Whale defeat Springfield in OT - Connecticut Whale
- Wolves Edged in Rockford, 2-1 - Chicago Wolves
- Devos and Tokarski Team up in Shutout of Phantoms - Norfolk Admirals
- Crunch Fall to Bears in Niittymaki's Debut - Syracuse Crunch
- Phantoms Open Big Road-Trip - Adirondack Phantoms
- Ste-Fans Cheer - Manchester Monarchs
- Bulldogs fall to Devils - Hamilton Bulldogs
- P-Bruins Defeat Pirates 6-3 - Providence Bruins
- Devils Hold on for 4-2 Win - Albany Devils
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- Griffins Go Purple Next Saturday against Peoria - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Saturday's IceHogs-Wolves Game Sold Out - Rockford IceHogs
- Kings Announce Player Transactions - Manchester Monarchs
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- Griffins Trade Estoclet to Heat - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Community Players of the Month Announced - Hamilton Bulldogs
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