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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Offense Awakens in 5-1 Rout of Toronto

November 28, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY - After scoring just two regulation goals in its last four games, the Syracuse Crunch offense exploded for five goals tonight and Dan LaCosta made 43 saves, as they defeated the visiting Toronto Marlies by a 5-1 count in front of 5,588 fans at the War Memorial at Oncenter.

After a good week of practice, the Crunch came out ready to play on Friday night and went up 2-0 after 20 minutes of hard-hitting action.

Syracuse's Mike York got everything started with a great individual effort 6:19 into the opening frame. After a Marlies defender had trouble handling the puck in front of his own net, the disk slid out to the slot where York picked it up.

A toe drag move and a top left corner shot later, the Crunch found themselves up 1-0 on York's unassisted snipe over the shoulder of Toronto starter Justin Pogge.

The Crunch had a golden opportunity with a one minute, 37 second five-on-three advantage when Toronto's Kris Newbury and Jaime Sifers took back-to-back penalties at the 9:55 and 10:17 marks, respectively, but could not convert.

But, the Crunch's persistent effort paid off when they cashed in on their fourth power play of the first period with Toronto's Kyle Rogers in the box for interference.

York fed Clay Wilson at the point, who let go a shot that was deflected in front by Craig MacDonald and past Pogge to make it a 2-0 Syracuse advantage.

The tide turned on Syracuse in the second period, but the home team was still able to keep its 2-0 lead in tact after 40 minutes of hockey, despite being outshot by an 18-4 margin.

The Crunch grabbed a 3-0 lead just 1:46 into the third period when Dan Smith's blast from the point found its way through a screen and past Pogge.

Toronto answered back just four minutes later when Staffan Kronwall's shot was deflected, changed speeds and floated by Crunch starter Dan LaCosta to cut the Crunch's lead to 3-1.

Syracuse regained its three-goal lead at the 11:42 mark of the frame. Adam Pineault stole the puck from Pogge on an aggressive forecheck and fed Derek MacKenzie all alone in front, who buried it into the empty net for a 4-1 Crunch lead.

The Crunch tacked on one more score when MacDonald stuffed home a rebound of an Aaron Rome point shot with just 2:13 remaining.

LaCosta withstood another 16 bids from Toronto in the third and was named the game's first star.

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