AHL Syracuse Crunch

Motzko Extends Point Streak

January 3, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Right wing Joe Motzko extended his team-high point streak to six games (December 19 – January 2) on Sunday night, scoring in the third period of the Crunch's 3-2 victory over Hamilton. Motzko has three goals and four assists during his streak. A native of Bemidji, Minnesota, Motzko leads the Crunch with 14 assists and 24 points this season. He was signed as a free agent by Columbus on May 15, 2003.

CRUNCH SNAP SLIDE WITH SHOOTOUT WIN: Syracuse ended a four-game losing streak on Sunday night in Hamilton, defeating the Bulldogs 3-2 in a shootout. It was the seventh shootout of the season for the Crunch but first in 14 games. The club participated in 4 shootouts during their first 9 games and 6 in their first 18 games. Sunday night was the second shootout appearance for Karl Goehring. Goehring has stopped 11 of the 12 shots he has faced in the shootout en route to two victories. Left wing Matthias Trattnig leads the Crunch in shootout percentage (.571, 4-for-7) and is tied with center Mark Hartigan for the club lead in shootout goals with 4.

SHOOTING GALLERY: The Crunch rewrote a portion of their record book on December 30, by recording 66 shots in a 5-3 defeat to St. John's. The 66 shots broke the previous mark of 54 (vs. Rochester December 27, 1995). The club also broke the mark for shots in a period, taking 29 second period shots (26 vs. Hamilton in the second period December 21, 1996). Syracuse enters the week tops in the American Hockey League in shots, averaging 34.85 per game, over a shot greater than the second ranked team (Houston – 33.42). The AHL average is 30.31 shots per game. The Crunch are 17th in shots allowed (31.00).

PENALTY MINUTES: After 33 games Syracuse is second in the AHL in penalty minutes per game, averaging 29.97 a game. Norfolk leads the AHL with an average of 30.16 penalty minutes a contest.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

PHILADELPHIA (PHILADELPHIA FLYERS): Syracuse continues their six-game road trip in Philadelphia on Friday, January 7 for the second and final regular season meeting. Syracuse leads the series 1-0, after defeating Philadelphia 2-1 at the War Memorial at Oncenter on November 28. Several players are tied in head-to-head scoring with one point. Karl Goehring posted the victory for Syracuse, recording 28 saves. Antero Niittymaki was in net for the Phantoms, recording 29 saves. Lifetime, the Crunch are 11-16-8 against the Phantoms.

BINGHAMTON (OTTAWA SENATORS): On Saturday, January 8, Syracuse visits Binghamton for the fifth of eight regular season meetings. Binghamton leads the series 4-0, after defeating Syracuse 4-2 on December 27 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Right wing Joe Motzko (1g, 5a) leads all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with six points. Center Jason Spezza (1g, 5a) leads all Senators players in head-to-head scoring with six points. Karl Goehring has appeared in two games for Syracuse, recording a 3.41 goals against average and a .891 save percentage. Ray Emery has appeared in net three times for Binghamton, recording a 1.96 goals against average and a .944 save percentage. Lifetime Syracuse is 11-7-2 against Binghamton.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON (PITTSBURGH): The Crunch conclude their six-game road trip on Sunday, January 9 in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the fourth of eight regular season meetings. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton leads the series 2-1, after defeating Syracuse 5-4 on December 17 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Right wing Michel Ouellet (2g, 4a) leads all players in head-to-head scoring with six points. Center Alexander Svitov (1g, 3a) leads all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with four points. Karl Goehring appeared in one game for Syracuse, recording 24 saves. Marc-Andre Fleury has appeared in two games for the Penguins posting a 2-0-0 record, a 3.00 goals against average and .909 save percentage. Lifetime Syracuse is 26-17-6 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

January:

Coleman's ‘Dinner and a Game': The Syracuse Crunch announced the details of the Coleman's ‘Dinner and a Game' program.

During the month of January any party that orders two (2) dinner entrees will receive a Crunch ticket voucher valid for two (2) tickets to a future Crunch home game, of the customer's choice.

Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant is located on the corner of Tompkins Street and Lowell Avenue on Syracuse's Tipperary Hill. For directions call 476- 1933. At this Irish Pub, atmosphere is just as important as flavor. Here you'll find custom crafted stained glass windows with intricate designs from the Book of Kells, paintings from the Irish National Gallery, and a dark oak bar patterned after the original Jury's in Dublin.

Tuesday, January 4

Crunch Players to Sign Autographs at Advance Auto Parts: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Crunch players Steven Goertzen and Andrew Penner will be at Advance Auto Parts on West Genesee St. in Auburn on Tuesday, January 4 from 4-5 p.m. to sign autographs. For directions call 255-3053.

Throughout the years, Advance Auto Parts has led the industry in parts availability, price, and customer service. The company has valued the hard work, dedication, and commitment of its Team Members since their founding in 1932.

Crunch Players to Sign Autographs at Tully's: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Crunch players Joe Motzko, Jeremy Reich and Brandon Sugden will be at Tully's on Erie Blvd. on January 4 from 6-7 p.m. to sign autographs. Tully's is located at 2943 Erie Blvd. Call 449-1614 for directions.

Saturday, January 15

Fred Flintstone Visits the War Memorial at Oncenter: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Time Warner, announced that Fred Flintstone will visit the War Memorial at Oncenter during their Saturday, January 15 game vs. Cleveland.

Fred Flintstone will be available between the first and second intermissions to take pictures and sign autographs in Memorial Hall. During the Crunch's January 14, fans will be able to register at the Advance Auto Parts Guest Service Center to win four (4) tickets and a special family VIP Pass for a meet and greet with Fred Flintstone on January 15.

INJURY UPDATE: Goaltender Pascal Leclaire is expected to miss two to three weeks with a groin injury. He has missed 12 games with the injury. Defenseman Francois Beauchemin is listed as day-to-day with a hand injury that he suffered on December 18. He has missed six games with injury... Through 33 games this season, Syracuse has lost 45 man-games due to injuries. Pascal Leclaire – 12, Jeff Panzer – 8, Francois Beauchemin – 7, Greg Mauldin - 6, Mark Hartigan – 3, Zenith Komarniski – 3, Raffaele Sannitz – 2, Brandon Sugden – 2, Jamie Pushor – 1, and Aaron Johnson - 1, represent the Crunch's injury list this season.

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

Tuesday, January 4 10:00 a.m. practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Wednesday, January 5 10:00 a.m. practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Thursday, January 6 10:00 a.m. skate @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

1:30 p.m. Bus to Philadelphia

Friday, January 7 11:15 a.m. skate @ Philadelphia

7:05 p.m. game @ Philadelphia

Saturday, January 8 7:05 p.m. game @ Binghamton

Sunday, January 9 5:05 p.m. game @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Goaltender Karl Goehring broke a personal six-game losing streak with his victory on Sunday night in Hamilton... Right wing Joe Motzko and center Brad Moran are the only Crunch players to appear in all 33 games this season... Center Mark Hartigan is one game shy of 100 in a Crunch uniform... Left wing Jeremy Reich is three games short of becoming the second player in team history to appear in 300 games.

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, January 7 @ Philadelphia (22-7-2-3), 49 points, first place, East Division

Saturday, January 8 @ Binghamton (18-14-3-2), 41 points, third place, East Division

Sunday, January 9 @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (18-8-4-3), 43 points, second place, East Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Wednesday, December 29 ST. JOHN'S 4 Crunch 1

Thursday, December 30 ST. JOHN'S 5 Crunch 3

Sunday, January 2 Crunch 3 SO HAMILTON 2

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2005


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