AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Snap Skid with 3-2 Win Over Hamilton

Published on November 28, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (November 28, 2010) - Playing in just his second professional hockey game in almost one calendar year, Joffrey Lupul, who was assigned by Anaheim to Syracuse on a conditioning loan on November 27, scored the game-winning goal at the 12:11 mark of the third period to give the Crunch a 3-2 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs this afternoon at The Oncenter War Memorial Arena.

The win snapped the Crunch's season-high four-game losing streak and seven-game winless skid. All three of the Crunch's goals came on the power play and Timo Pielmeier stopped 43 of 45 shots, picking up the win and first star of the game honors.

Matt Beleskey got the scoring started on the power play at the 11:28 mark of the first period after the Crunch came out attacking. Beleskey took a pass from Trevor Smith along the right half-wall, took a few strides out and fired a shot that deflected off Hamilton starter Robert Mayer and into the net to give the Crunch a 1-0 lead.

The Crunch again continued to make the most of their opportunities and scored again with the man-advantage, this time at the 10:30 mark of the second stanza. Josh Green took a feed from Mark Mitera, drove in down the right wing boards and flipped a wrister off the post and past the glove of Mayer to put the Crunch up 2-0.

Hamilton stormed back and tied the game before the second period was over, first scoring at the 14:43 mark when David Desharnais drove to the net, found a loose puck and lifted it up over a sprawling Pielmeier to make it 2-1.

The Bulldogs tied the game at 2-2 just two minutes later when Desharnais found Max Pacioretty camped out in front of the net and his shot slid under the legs of Pielmeier.

The score stayed that way until Lupul slammed home a centering feed from Beleskey from the left side of the crease with just under eight minutes remaining in regulation, giving the Crunch a season-high three power play goals.

Hamilton pulled Mayer during the last minute of the game, but the Crunch hung on to secure the 3-2 win.

The Crunch embark on a four-game road trip, starting with a Friday, December 3 match-up against Rochester at the Blue Cross Arena. Syracuse returns home to The Oncenter War Memorial Arena on Friday, December 10 vs. Adirondack at 7:30 p.m.

CRUNCHABLES: Peilmeier's win was his first since October 30 when the Crunch defeated Albany, 3-2.The Crunch had been held without a power play goal in three straight games coming into today, going 0-for-9 over that span.This afternoon's game vs. Hamilton was the 100th all-time meeting between the two clubs.Prior to this afternoon's contest, the Crunch were 0-3-0-0 on Sundays this season.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 28, 2010


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