AHL Syracuse Crunch

LaCosta Shines in Back-to-Back Games

Published on February 6, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


LaCOSTA POSTS BACK-TO-BACK SHUTOUTS: Rookie goaltender Dan LaCosta appeared in two games for Syracuse last week with a 2-0-0 record, stopping all 53 shots faced, earning him CCM Vector/AHL Player Of The Week. LaCosta's shutout on Friday night was his first as a professional and he followed it Saturday night with his second shutout. LaCosta stepped in for Tomas Popperle, who was on recall to Columbus, after serving as back-up to Popperle since mid-December when Ty Conklin was recalled by the Blue Jackets. His first professional victory came on December 30 @ Manitoba as he stopped 28 of 32 shots faced. In 11 games with Syracuse this season, LaCosta has a 3-2-1 record, 2.29 goals against average and .912 save percentage. A native of Labrador City, New Foundland, LaCosta was drafted by Columbus in the third round, 93rd overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft.

PLATT CONTINUES SCORING STREAK: Center Geoff Platt tallied five points (3g, 2a) in two games last week, helping the Crunch to a 5-0 win over Springfield and 6-0 shutout over Rochester. His assist on the Crunch's third goal Friday night was his 100th AHL point. He leads the Crunch with 37 points (21g, 16a) in 41 games. Platt is currently tied for seventh with 24 power play goals all-time, tied for eighth with four shorthanded goals all-time and tied for ninth with seven game-winning goals all-time. A native of Toronto, Ontario, Platt has tallied 51 goals, 51 assists and 103 penalty minutes in 107 career AHL games, all with Syracuse.

FRANCK RELEASED FROM P.T.O.: The Syracuse announced that they have released goaltender Andy Franck from his professional try-out agreement.

Franck, 25, was signed by Syracuse on January 31 but did not see time in the net. He appeared in 39 games with Wheeling (ECHL) this season, posting a 18-19-2 record, a 3.54 goals against average and a .896 save percentage. A native of Lakewood, Ohio, Franck has appeared in 94 career ECHL games, all with Wheeling, posting a 51-34-7 record.

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COLUMBUS UPDATE: The Blue Jackets went 1-2-0 last week, defeating Vancouver 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday, January 29, then dropping a 5-2 decision to Edmonton a night later and losing to Calgary 6-2 on Friday, February 2. Former Crunch Dan Fritsche tallied a goal and two assists in the three games. Columbus boosted two former Crunch goaltenders, Ty Conklin and Tomas Popperle in the games. Conklin recorded 35 saves in the shootout win against the Canucks and 32 saves against the Oilers. Tomas Popperle made his NHL debut on Friday, February 2 against Calgary, relieving Conklin. Popperle saw 25:42 minutes of action, recording seven saves, while Conklin started the game for stopping 11 shots in 34:18 minutes of action.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

GRAND RAPIDS (DETROIT RED WINGS): The Crunch travel to Grand Rapids on Wednesday, February 7 for the first of two regular season meetings between the clubs. Center Kip Miller leads all Griffins players with 48 points (16g, 32a) in 47 games. Central New York native, goaltender Jimmy Howard has appeared in 28 games for Grand Rapids, posting a 12-12-1 record, a 2.89 goals against average and a .904 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch are 1-8-1 against the Griffins.

MANITOBA (VANCOUVER CANUCKS): On Friday, February 9 and Saturday, February 10, Syracuse visits Manitoba for the fifth and sixth of eight regular season meetings between the clubs. The Crunch are 2-2-0-0, after shutting out the Moose 1-0 in overtime on Friday, January 26 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Moose center Brad Moran leads all players in head-to-head scoring with six points (1g, 5a). Several Crunch players have two points each in head-to-head scoring. Goaltender Wade Flaherty has appeared in net twice for Manitoba, posting a 1-0-0 record, a 3.42 goals against average and .853 save percentage. Goaltender Tomas Popperle has appeared in net twice Syracuse posting a 1-1-0 record, a 1.97 goals against average and .933 save percentage. Lifetime, Syracuse is 8-7-1 against Manitoba.

CHICAGO (ATLANTA THRASHERS): Syracuse visits Chicago on Sunday, February 11, for the second and final regular season meetings between the clubs. Chicago defeated the Crunch 7-2 in their only other previous meeting on November 10 in Syracuse. Defenseman Filip Novak leads all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with 2 points (1g, 1a). Several Wolves players have two points each in head-to-head scoring. Goaltender Michael Garnett recorded 39 saves in the win. Tomas Popperle recorded 24 saves for Syracuse. Lifetime, Syracuse is 3-6-0 against Chicago.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Crunch Announce Details of Syracuse University - University College Part-Time Al Program: The Syracuse Crunch announced the details of the Syracuse University - University College Part-Time Al Program.

During the month of February, Syracuse University - University College and the Crunch are offering one (1) fan an opportunity to serve as a 'part-time' Al at an upcoming Syracuse Crunch game. Fans interested in serving as a 'part-time' Al can register at Crunch home games, by visiting the Crunch office or by emailing Sarah Scott at sscott@syracusecrunch.com. Fans will need to include their name, address, phone number and age when registering. One (1) winner will be selected to work parts of two (2) Crunch home games during the month of February.

CRUNCHABLES: Syracuse is on a four-game winning streak, their longest of the season... Left wing Curtis Glencross tallied his first points in a Crunch uniform this weekend with an assist on Friday night against Springfield and a goal on Saturday against Rochester... Syracuse's power play unit converted on five of their 14 chances (35.71%), while the penalty unit was a perfect 14 for 14 (100%) this past weekend.

2006-07 RECORD: 18-24-1-5, 42 points (10-11-1-2 home, 8-13-0-3 road), sixth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Wednesday, February 7 @ Grand Rapids (21-20-4-2), 48 points, fourth place, North Division

Friday, February 9 @ Manitoba (23-16-7-4), 57 points, third place, North Division

Saturday, February 10 @ Manitoba (23-16-7-4), 57 points, third place, North Division

Sunday, February 11 @ Chicago (31-15-1-4), 67 points, first place, West Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULT

Friday, February 2 CRUNCH 5 Springfield 0

Saturday, February 3 CRUNCH 6 Rochester 0

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 6, 2007


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