AHL Syracuse Crunch

Dan the Man

Published on December 20, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Crunch right wing Dan Sexton has logged quite a few miles so far this season. He has been either assigned or recalled by the Anaheim Ducks seven different times since November 10.

In his eight games with the Crunch this year, Sexton has been extremely productive, recording 10 points (6g, 4a). He was especially dynamic in two games this past weekend. Sexton was assigned by Anaheim on Saturday, and scored a goal in a 3-1 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton after arriving just four hours before game time. In addition, he tied a Crunch season-high with eight shots on goal registered a plus-2 rating.

The Apple Valley, Minnesota native exploded for three points (2g, 1a) and was the best player on the ice in Sunday's 5-0 shutout win over Connecticut, including scoring twice in less than a three minute span late in the third period, with one coming on a shorthanded breakaway. He also recorded four shots on goal and a plus-3 rating en route to being named the game's first star. Sexton appeared in 76 games in two seasons with Bowling Green (CCHA) from 2007-09, recording 60 points (24g, 36a) and 34 penalty minutes. He was signed by the Ducks as a free agent on April 7, 2009.

J.P. LEVASSEUR NAMED REEBOK/AHL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: The American Hockey League announced today that Syracuse Crunch goaltender J.P. Levasseur has been named the Reebok/AHL Player of the Week for the period ending December 19, 2010.

Levasseur compiled a 2-0-0 record with a 1.50 goals against average and stopped 96 of 100 shots in three appearances. Levasseur started the week with a relief appearance on Friday night at Binghamton, stopping 22 of 25 shot in 40 minutes of work.

Levasseur earned the start on Saturday vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and was named the game's second star, securing his first home win of the season after denying 42 of 43 shots in a 3-1 triumph over the AHL-leading Penguins. The Victoriaville, Quebec native then slammed the door on Connecticut on Sunday, stopping all 32 shots he faced to lift the Crunch to a 5-0 shutout of the Whale. The shutout was Levasseur's second of the season and fourth of his AHL career and he was named the game's third star for his effort.

In 17 total games for the Crunch this season, Levasseur is 5-6-2 with a 2.81 goals against average and .918 save percentage. He was selected by Anaheim in the seventh round, 197th overall, in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft.

PENALTY KILL BACK ON THE RISE: The Syracuse Crunch started the 2010-11 season with one of the AHL's best penalty killing units, killing off 30 of the club's first 31 penalties in the first six games of the season. After a rough stretch from November 20 to December 17 that saw Syracuse post just a 66.6% success rate on the penalty kill in 12 games, the Crunch have picked up that area of their special teams lately, killing off 13 straight penalties dating back to Friday night's contest at Binghamton.

UPCOMING GAMES:

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (FLORIDA PANTHERS): The Crunch travel to Rochester in the first game back from their holiday break to face the Americans for the third time this season and third at the Blue Cross Arena. This will also be the third of 10 overall games between these two teams. The Crunch have dropped both games against Rochester this year by just one goal, a 5-4 loss on November 21 and a 6-5 defeat back on December 3. Nathan Paetsch and Trevor Smith pace the Crunch in scoring against Rochester this season, with three points (2g, 1a) each. For Rochester, veteran Chris Taylor leads his club and all players in the season series with six points (1g, 5a), while Evgeny Dadonov has five points (3g, 2a) against the Crunch so far this year.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

MORRISVILLE STATE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL NIGHT SET FOR DECEMBER 28: The Syracuse Crunch announced today the details of Morrisville State College High School Night, to be held on Tuesday, December 28 vs. Adirondack. Students can show their valid school ID at the Crunch office prior to the game or at the Oncenter Box Office on the night of the game to receive a $14 ticket (up to a $5 savings), compliments of Morrisville State College. Representatives from Morrisville State College will be on hand with information and to answer questions about their programs.

SYRACUSE CRUNCH HOLIDAY PACKS ON SALE NOW: The Syracuse Crunch Holiday Pack includes two (2) ticket vouchers (valid for any 2010-11 regular season home game), one (1) exclusive autographed Crunch holiday puck and a $5 coupon for Crunch merchandise (expires 4/15/11), for just $36. Syracuse Crunch Holiday Packs are on sale now and are available for pick-up at the Crunch offices at The Oncenter War Memorial Arena. Limited quantities will be available; subject to availability. To order the Syracuse Crunch Holiday Pack, call (315) 473-4444.

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

Tuesday, December 21 OFF

Wednesday, December 22 OFF

Thursday, December 23 OFF

Friday, December 24 OFF

Saturday, December 25 6:00 p.m. practice @ The Oncenter War Memorial Arena

Sunday, December 26 Game @ Rochester - 5:05 p.m.

CRUNCHABLES: Dan Sexton became the fifth Crunch player to record three points in a game this season with his two goals and one assist on Sunday vs. Connecticut.Before scoring two goals in Sunday's game vs. Connecticut, Brett Festerling had four goals in 164 AHL games.The Crunch won back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday for the first time since winning three in a row from October 16 - 23.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 20, 2010


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