AHL Syracuse Crunch

Shootout Success

Published on October 21, 2008 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Last year's Syracuse Crunch team compiled a 46-26-2-6 record and did not have many weaknesses. One area that the Crunch were not very strong in was shootout success.

The Crunch went 2-6 in eight shootouts last season, converting on just 11 of 44 attempts, a 25% success rate. Conversely, Crunch goaltenders stopped just 29 of 45 shootout attempts against them, a 65% success rate. The league average for goaltenders in shootouts last season was 68.2 %.

So far this season, the Crunch are 1-0 in shootouts, as they beat Binghamton in a 3-2 come-from-behind victory Friday night. The club seems to have a lot of firepower, as Syracuse converted on four of its five shootout attempts, an 80% success rate. Craig MacDonald, Maksim Mayorov, John Vigilante and Mike York all cashed in on their opportunities.

The league average for shooter success in shootouts last season was 31.8 percent. Bridgeport ranked first (44.4%), while Lowell ranked last (19.5%) in the league. The Crunch were 23rd out of 29 teams.

I'M LOVING IT - MACDONALD BREAKS THROUGH: It was a little bit of a rough start to the season for AHL veteran Craig MacDonald. As someone known for putting up big points in this league, being held scoreless in his first two games was not exactly what he had in mind.

That all changed this past weekend, when he nabbed his first two points as a member of the Crunch. MacDonald scored the game-tying goal 8:24 into the third period and also scored in the shootout to ice a 3-2 come-from-behind victory for Syracuse over Binghamton on Friday night

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

BINGHAMTON SENATORS (OTTAWA SENATORS): The Crunch battle the B-Sens for the second time this year and first game between the two at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Syracuse took the first meeting on October 17, a 3-2 come-from-behind shootout win. Maksim Mayorov tallied two assists, as well as a goal in the shootout to help the Crunch to the victory. Dan LaCosta had a season-high 36 saves. Binghamton's Ilya Zubov leads the way in scoring for his club in the series with two points (1g, 1a).

ROCHESTER AMERICANS (FLORIDA PANTHERS): Syracuse welcomes the Rochester Americans on Saturday night for their third meeting of the season and second match-up at the War Memorial at Oncenter. The Crunch are 2-0-0-0 against Rochester this season, after sweeping a home-and-home series on October 10 and 11 by a combined 10-4 score. Adam Pineault, Tom Sestito and Mike York all have four points (1g, 3a) each and Dan LaCosta is 2-0-0-0 with a 2.40 goals-against average and .911 save percentage.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Crunch and MVP Health Care Announce Details of SECOND ANNUAL'Pink Out'--Fans Encouraged to Wear Pink in Support of Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month: The Syracuse Crunch and MVP Health Care announced that in support of Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the first 2,000 fans in attendance for their October 25 game against the Rochester Americans will receive a special pink t-shirt, compliments of MVP Health Care.

In support of the night select Crunch players will use pink tape on their sticks and local breast cancer survivors will be on hand to drop the ceremonial opening face-off puck. In addition special raffles and Chuck-A-Puck sales will benefit the Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund.

The Carol M. Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund, Inc., supports both new and established researchers investigating the causes, prevention and treatment of breast cancer. This research will include-but not be limited to-studies of the genetic, molecular, cellular and environmental factors involved in the development and progression of breast cancer; application of the knowledge thus gained to educate medical professionals and increase public awareness for the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer; and studies of the outcomes of breast cancer detection and treatment on the patient, their families and society.

The National Breast Cancer Awareness Month program is dedicated to increasing public knowledge about the importance of early detection of breast cancer. Fifteen national public service organizations, professional associations, and government agencies comprise the Board of Sponsors, who work together to ensure that the NBCAM message is heard by thousands of women and their families.

MVP Health Plan, Inc. and Preferred Care's commercial and Medicare HMO plans have all earned Excellent accreditation status from the National Committee for Quality

MVP Health Care Inc. provides fully-insured and self-funded employer health benefits plans, dental insurance and ancillary products, such as flexible spending accounts in New York, Vermont and New Hampshire through its operating subsidiaries, MVP Health Plan Inc., MVP Select Care Inc., MVP Health Insurance Company, MVP Health Services Corp., MVP Health Plan of New Hampshire Inc. MVP Health Insurance Company of New Hampshire Inc., Rochester Area Health Maintenance Organization, Inc., Preferred Assurance Company Inc., and Preferred Administrative Services Inc., N.Y., Preferred Care, MVP Health Care/Preferred Care refers to the various operating subsidiaries of MVP Health Care Inc. Products and services are provided by these operating subsidiaries and not by MVP Health Care, Inc.

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

Wednesday, October 22 11:00 a.m. Practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Thursday, October 23 10:30 a.m. Practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Friday, October 24 10:00 a.m. Skate @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Game vs. Binghamton 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 25 10:00 a.m. Skate @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Game vs. Rochester 7:30

Sunday, October 26 OFF

CRUNCHABLES: MacDonald, Jonathan Sigalet and John Vigilante all tallied their first points as a member of the Crunch this weekend...Dan Smith played his first two games after being named captain...After playing in two more home openers this weekend, the Crunch have now played in four (4) home openers this year (Syracuse, Binhamton, Hershey, Rochester)...Maksim Mayorov recorded his first professional multi-point game with two assists Friday night in Binghamton...With his win Friday night, Dan LaCosta moved into a tie for tenth on the Crunch's all-time franchise wins list (17)...The Crunch currently lead the American Hockey League in shootout percentage (80%).

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



American Hockey League Stories from October 21, 2008


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central