AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Weekly

March 4, 2008 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


2007-08 RECORD: 30-26-2-5, 67 points, (15-9-1-2 home, 15-17-1-3 road), fourth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, March 7 vs. Toronto (38-14-2-5, 83 points), first place, North Division

Saturday, March 8 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (33-24-0-3, 69 points), fourth place, East Division

Sunday, March 9 @ Toronto (38-14-2-5, 83 points), first place, North Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULT

Wednesday, February 27 WBS 2 Crunch 1 SO

Friday, February 29 CRUNCH 2 Toronto 1 OT

Saturday, March 1 CRUNCH 3 Rochester 1

Sunday, March 2 Crunch 4 HAMILTON 2

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

THE GREAT GOEHRING: The American Hockey League announced yesterday that Syracuse Crunch goaltender Karl Goehring has been named the Rbk/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending March 2, 2008. In four games last week, Goehring went 3-0-0-1 with a 1.21 goals-against average and .963 save percentage.

Wednesday night in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Goehring stopped 35 of 36 shots in regulation and 7 of 9 shootout attempts while being named the game's second star in the Crunch's shootout loss to the Penguins. On Friday night vs. Toronto, Goehring turned aside 32 of 33 shots and was named the game's third star in the Crunch's 2-1 overtime win over the Marlies.

He was also named the third star of the game Saturday night vs. Rochester as he made 26 saves on 27 shots, helping lead the Crunch to a 3-1 win. He was instrumental in the Crunch's comeback win on Sunday in Hamilton, stopping 38 of 40 shots, including 14 in the third period to help Syracuse move within two points of third place in the North Division.

Goehring will be presented with an etched crystal award prior to an upcoming Crunch home game.

Goehring, in his second stint with the Crunch, played for Syracuse from 2001-02 to 2004-05 and is among the top three on the franchise's all-time list in all major goaltending categories, including first in games played (169) and wins (71). He is third all-time in goals-against average (2.65) and second all-time in shutouts (10). A native of Apple Valley, Minnesota, Goehring was originally signed as a free agent by Columbus on May 7, 2001. He signed an AHL contract with Syracuse on September 15, 2004. He was signed to a PTO on December 14, 2007.

LINDSTROM BACK TO LIGHTING THE LAMP: It has been an up and down year for Crunch left wing Joakim Lindstrom, literally. He has been recalled and then sent back down by Columbus three times.

Earlier in the season, Lindstrom was on a torrid scoring pace before his first call-up on December 3 slowed him down. He was returned by Columbus on December 11 and went back to dominating AHL games. He was then recalled again on December 27 and returned just over two weeks later.

For his achievements in the first half of the AHL season, Lindstrom was selected to represent the Crunch at the AHL All-Star Classic as part of the PlanetUSA team.

After being recalled again on February 6 and returned on February 17, Lindstrom struggled to regain his scoring touch, with only 2 points (1g, 1a) in his next five games.

Over his last two games, Lindstrom has notched 5 points (2g, 3a) and looks like he did earlier in the year. His game-winning goal in the third period Sunday in Hamilton helped the Crunch climb to within two points of third place in the North Division.

CRUNCH CALL TO ARMS: With a playoff berth hanging in the balance these last few weeks of the season, the Syracuse Crunch know that they need contributions from everyone on the roster. They have been getting just that.

In four games last week, the Crunch scored a total of 10 goals. Of those 10 goals, the Crunch had eight different goal scorers (Clay Wilson, Duvie Westcott, Zenon Konopka, Adam Pineault, Derek Dorsett, Alexandre Picard, Joakim Lindstrom and Trevor Frischmon).

Syracuse had 13 different players register at least a point, including goaltender Karl Goehring, who picked up an assist on Duvie Westcott's overtime winner on Friday night vs. Toronto.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

TORONTO MARLIES (TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS): The North Division-leading Toronto Marlies make their third visit to the War Memorial at Oncenter on Friday and the Crunch travel to Toronto on Sunday for the sixth and seventh of eight regular season meetings between these two clubs this weekend. The Crunch are 1-3-1 against Toronto this season, with the Crunch winning the last game, a 2-1 overtime thriller on a goal by Duvie Westcott with one minute remaining. Joakim Lindstrom (1g, 7a) and David Ling (5g, 3a) lead their respective clubs in the season series in scoring with eight points each.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON PENGUINS (PITTSBURGH PENGUINS): The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins make their way to the War Memorial at Oncenter on Saturday night for the last of eight regular season meetings between these two clubs. The Crunch are 1-5-0-1 against the Penguins this year. Three of the seven games have been decided by one goal, with the last game back on February 27 being decided in a shootout. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Nathan Smith leads all scorers in the season series in scoring with 9 points (3g, 6a).

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

CRUNCH ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF COCA-COLA BASEBALL CAP GIVEAWAY: The Syracuse Crunch announced today that their Friday, March 7 game vs. Toronto will be Coca-Cola Baseball Cap Giveaway Night at the Crunch.

The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a baseball cap, compliments of Coca-Cola. This year's cap is red with a Crunch logo on the front and an adjustable velcro strap on the back.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The Crunch's weekly schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, March 5 10:30 a.m. Practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Thursday, March 6 10:30 a.m. Practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, March 7 10:00 a.m. Skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Game vs. Toronto 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 8 10:00 a.m. Skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Game vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 9 Game @ Toronto 4:00 p.m.

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch went 3-0-0-1 last week, nabbing 7 out of a possible 8 points...The Crunch are 8-1-0-4 in their last thirteen games...Goehring has started five games in a row for Syracuse and is 4-0-0-1 over that span...Trevor Frischmon's empty-net goal Sunday was his first in 35 games...Joakim Lindstrom has 5 points (2g, 3a) over his last 2 games...Clay Wilson has 4 points (1g, 3a) over his last 2 games...Adam Pineault has 3 points (2g, 1a) over his last 2 games...Pineault notched his sixth short handed goal of the season Saturday night vs. Rochester, setting the Crunch all-time individual single-season mark...Syracuse leads the AHL in short-handed goals with 18 and is one short-handed goal away from tying the franchise record in a season...The Crunch power play is 3 for its last 10...The penalty-killing unit has killed off 18 straight penalties...The Crunch last allowed a power play goal against in the first period in Wednesday's game in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton...Newcomer Nate DiCasmirro notched his first point as a member of the Crunch with an assist on Pineault's short-handed goal Saturday...Duvie Westcott scored his first goal of the season, an overtime game-winner Friday night vs. Toronto...Westcott has recorded an even or better +/- rating in 13 straight games.

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