AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Fall to Norfolk

February 28, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (February 28, 2010) - Although they climbed back from a 2-0 deficit, the Syracuse Crunch came up just short this afternoon to the Norfolk Admirals, falling by a score of 3-2 at the War Memorial at Oncenter.

The Crunch were outshot 42-22 in a game where they were unable to sustain much offensive pressure. Juraj Simek tallied twice for Norfolk, including the game-winner with four minutes remaining to push his club to victory.

Norfolk got off to a quick start in the first with a power play goal by Simek when he knocked in a rebound from a Matt Lashoff slapshot to make it 1-0

The Admirals continued their relentless offensive attack, tallying another goal, this time by Dana Tyrell with 20 seconds left in the first. Tyrell scored his 5th goal of the season on a quick wrist shot from the right circle that just squeaked by Kevin Lalande's blocker.

Norfolk outshot the Crunch 16-6 in the first period. Syracuse was not able to formulate any legitimate scoring chances in the frame.

In the second period the tide shifted in favor of the Crunch. Brendan Bell scored his 10th goal of the season on a rocket from the point during a Syracuse power play two and a half minutes in. Norfolk goalie Dustin Tokarski was screened as Bell was able to sneak the shot over his left shoulder to put the Crunch on the board and make it a 2-1 game.

With just 28 seconds remaining in the second stanza, Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman backhanded a shot that found its way through a scrum in front of the net. LaVallee-Smotherman, tallying his 6th goal of the season, tied the game at 2-2 going into the third.

The third period provided some evenly matched defensive hockey. Lalande was brilliant, making multiple key saves to keep the score knotted at 2-2.

However, with four minutes remaining in regulation, Syracuse let one slip by. Lalande made a leaping save off his chest on a harmless wrist shot from the point by Vladimir Mihalik, but didn't control the puck, leaving Simek with a golden rebound in front of the net, scoring his second goal of the game to put the Admirals up 3-2.

After a furious final shift with their netminder pulled, the Crunch came up short. Torkarski made multiple flashy glove saves to keep his team's lead in tact in the game's final minute and finished the game with 20 saves, earning his 22nd victory of the season.

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch have now lost four of their last five home games.Alexandre Picard had his five-game point streak snapped tonight.Kevin Harvey appeared in his 100th Crunch an AHL game tonight.

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American Hockey League Stories from February 28, 2010


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