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AHL Syracuse Crunch

War Memorial Woes

November 19, 2007 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


The Crunch continued to struggle at home this season, falling to 3-5-0-0 on home ice.

On Friday the undefeated Toronto Marlies came to town and edged the Crunch, 5-4. Andrew Murray fired home the game's first goal on the power play off a pass from behind the net from Philippe Dupuis. Murray let go a quick shot high to the short side before the game was two-minutes old. Murray netted his second on goalie Scott Clemmensen's giveaway as the game was nearly five-minutes old.

David Ling and Derrick Walser returned to torture their former team. Ling had a pair of goals and an assist while Walser had two helpers. Ling tipped home a shot by John Mitchell after Walser set-up Mitchell's blast with three minutes left in the first as the teams played with four skaters a side.

Syracuse dominated the first 15 minutes but Toronto didn't panic and added three goals in the second by Mitchell, Ling and Boyce. Toronto made it five straight goals nearly eight minutes into the third when Jay Harrison found the back of the Crunch net. Syracuse took advantage of Toronto penalties and pulled back to within a goal as Dupuis and Adam Pineault scored power play goals 27 seconds apart at the midpoint of the third but couldn't get the equalizer.

The Crunch dropped a 2-1 decision to the Rockford Ice Hogs at the Onondaga County War Memorial Saturday, their first-ever meeting against one another. Rockford scored the only goal of the first period on the power play as Syracuse played shorthanded for four of the game's first seven minutes. Syracuse was relentless in its effort to knot the score.

Adam Munro, in goal for the Crunch, did his part to keep Rockford from increasing the lead with a huge series of saves on Bryan Bickell while standing on the edge of the crease nearly four minutes into the second period. Munro continued to play an enormous roll in keeping the Ice Hogs off the board stopping Jake Dowell on a breakaway just three minutes later.

Munro's efforts gave Syracuse the momentum it needed heading into the third. Jeff Szwez and Steven Goertzen teamed up with Goertzen tipping home a Szwez pass to knot the game at 1-1 seven minutes into the third.

Then came the penalties. Aaron Rome was in the box when Marc Methot was called for tripping, creating a 5- on-3 for 70 seconds. Rockford needed only half of that to pull out the win on a goal from Martin St. Pierre.

THE 'UN'USUAL SUSPECTS: In the wake of injuries to leading-scorer Derick Brassard, Zenon Konopka and left wing Alexandre Picard, the Syracuse Crunch spread the scoring around this weekend. Center Andrew Murray stepped up his game, providing some much needed offense with 2 goals on Friday night.

Philippe Dupuis has been playing well since being inserted into the lineup on October 31 after being a healthy scratch in 7 of the team's first 11 games. He contributed another 2 points (1g, 1a) this weekend and has 8 points (5g, 3a) in 11 games this season. Adam Pineault notched his first of the year Friday and Steven Goertzen tallied his second goal of the season and first since opening night on Saturday. Newly acquired defensemen Aaron Rome and Clay Wilson each contributed one assist in two games this weekend.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

MANITOBA MOOSE (VANCOUVER CANUCKS): The Manitoba Moose visit Syracuse for the first time this season Friday night. This is the first of four meetings between these two clubs this year. The Crunch were 3-3-1-1 against the Moose last season. These two teams meet again in Manitoba on January 24 and again on January 25. Colby Genoway and former Crunch center Brad Moran are tied for the Manitoba lead in scoring with 13 points each.

TORONTO MARLIES (TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS): The Crunch travel to Toronto for the second time this season on Saturday to take on the Marlies at the Ricoh Coliseum for a matinee match-up. This is the third meeting of the season between these two teams. The Crunch are 0-2-0-0 against Toronto this season. David Ling and John Mitchell lead all players in scoring in the season series with 6 points each in the two contests.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

CRUNCH ANNOUNCE DETAILS OF NIKO'S PRE-GAME MEAL PROGRAM: The Syracuse Crunch announced today the details of the Niko's Pre-Game Meal Program.

The Niko's Pre-Game Meal Program is a season long program that offers Crunch fans a special dinner discount at Niko's. Any fan that shows his or her Crunch ticket to that night's game and buys one entrée will receive an entrée of equal or lesser value free. Tickets must be dated for that night's game.

Niko's Restaurant is located at 135 East Water Street in downtown Syracuse.

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

Tuesday, November 20 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Wednesday, November 21 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Thursday, November 22 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, November 23 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Game vs. Manitoba 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, November 17 TBD

Game @ Toronto 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 18 10:00 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch gave up five unanswered goals for the third time this season Friday night vs. Toronto...Syracuse experienced Déjà vu on Friday night when they were up 2-0 against an undefeated team and then gave up five unanswered goals; the same scenario occurred a week earlier against Chicago...Current Marlies and former Crunch members David Ling and Derrick Walser continue to torture their former team; Ling notched 3 points (2g, 1a) and Walser had 2 helpers on Friday...Despite his broken jaw, Derrick Brassard continues to lead the Crunch in scoring with 20 points (5g, 15a)...After a torrid start, Joakim Lindstrom has cooled off, being held without a goal for seven straight games.

2007-08 RECORD: 6-12-0-0, 12 points, (3-5-0-0 home, 3-7-0-0 road), fifth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, November 23 vs. Manitoba (11-5-1-0), second place, North Division

Saturday, November 24 @ Toronto (11-2-0-2), first place, North Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULT

Friday, November 16 Toronto 5 CRUNCH 4

Saturday, November 17 Rockford 2 CRUNCH 1

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

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