Syracuse wins with home ice advantage
AHL American Hockey League

Syracuse wins with home ice advantage

by Ed Gonser
Published on October 17, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)


Syracuse -- It's no wonder why they call it home ice advantage. A controversial third period, power play goal by Aaron Johnson gave the Syracuse Crunch a 3-2 win over the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before 4,992 fans Friday at the Onondaga County War Memorial at Oncenter.

In the agate, the goal would be scored at 11:01 of the third period, but it took almost five minutes to sort it all out until referee Ryan Fraser pointed to center ice and awarded the goal.

"None of the referees saw the puck go in," Penguins head coach Michel Terrien said. "Fraser was in a good position at the side of the net but didn't make a call. The goal judge said the puck went in. It is sad to see a local guy decide the game."

Robbie Wells, the goal judge involved in the controversy, has had many questionable calls and non-calls in past Syracuse home games and it wasn't a surprise that he would once again have a game hinge on the outcome of his view or lack there of from behind the goal.

"When I saw the referee was going to have a meeting with the goal judge, come on, this guys a local," Terrien said. "I would understand if the referee was in a bad position. Sometimes you have to accept those things. It was his (the goal judge) word. It was unacceptable."

Jean-Sebastien Aubin saw his first game action of the season for the Penguins.

Johnson's one-timer from the slot hit Aubin and trickled (or didn't) pass the goal line.

"It was in by about 2 inches," Syracuse winger Joe Motzko said. Motzko had a good view, he was laying on top of Aubin when the play was ended. "I don't think the ref was in position to see it. There was a lot of chaos."

Aubin's account was just a bit different. "I knew the puck hit my glove and I thought it was on my leg." Aubin said. "When I looked behind me I saw it laying on the line halfway in and halfway on the line. I put my glove on it and I thought that's it. The ref never called anything. The guy behind (goal judge) is a Syracuse guy of course he's going to say it was in."

Brad Moran gave Aubin a rude welcome back to the old barn for the former Syracuse netminder.

Moran wristed a shot from the circle to the left of Aubin that caught the far top corner before the game was three minutes old.

It was not only Aubin's first action of the season but his first action in about a month and the rust showed.

"I don't want to blame it on that goal (third goal) was the reason for the loss," Aubin said.

Aubin looked back at the first period and realized he could have played better.

"I was surprised on how quick he (Moran) broke in and I didn't play the shot well. I should have stopped it. He caught me off guard. It's the kind of goal I don't give up when I have had more playing time.

Tom Kostopoulos' hard work during a penalty to Kris Beech three minutes later not only squashed the Syracuse power play before it could get started but forced the Crunch to haul Kostopoulos down on a partial breakaway. On the ensuing four-on-four the Penguins were able to draw even on a goal by Tomas Surovy at the 7:05 mark.

It was the third goal in the three games this season for Surovy.

The Pens wasted a big opportunity at the end of the first period when Syracuse forward Tim Jackman was sent off on a major high sticking penalty. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton only managed one shot at the Crunch net during the five-minute power play.

Jackman cut the lip of defenseman David Koci on the play.

The teams traded second period goals.

Jackman on the power play for Syracuse at the 5:45 mark ripped home a shot from five-feet in front of Aubin.

Eric Meloche notched his first of the year six minutes later. Meloche drove hard to the net and out-hustled Syracuse defenseman Anders Eriksson to the rebound and poked the puck past Syracuse goalie Pascal Leclaire.

Michal Sivek left the game early in the second period after getting slashed on his left hand and did not return. He now has a matching set of injured ring fingers. No penalty was called.

Colby Armstrong injured his right ankle in the third period and did not return. Armstrong and Sivek will be reevaluated today.

Goalie Martin Brochu and defenseman Darcy Fata were sent to Wheeling before the game.

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 17, 2003


The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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