AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week 10 - Palmieri Powering Offense

Published on December 5, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


There has been no sophomore slump for Kyle Palmieri, who tied for the league-lead in goals among rookies last season. In 2011-12, Palmieri leads the Crunch with 13 goals, ranking him tied for second in the AHL. The Smithtown, New York native has seven points (3g, 4a) over his last seven games. On Saturday, Palmieri followed in Patrick Maroon and J.F. Jacques' footsteps this season by registering a goal, an assist and a fight, also known as a "Gordie Howe" hat trick. Palmieri's tally late in the second period proved to be the game-winner, giving him three on the season, which is tied for third in the league. He now has eight game-winning goals for the Crunch in his young career, ranking him tied for ninth in Crunch history with Alexandre Picard and Reggie Savage.

FIRST GOAL RECIPE FOR SUCCESS: It's no secret this year that the Crunch win more often than not when they score first. The Crunch are an impressive 9-1-0-1 when scoring the first goal of the game. Their winning percentage in those games is .864, fifth best in the league. Their only losses when scoring first have come against the Americans in Rochester. On the flip side, the Crunch are 1-7-2-0 when allowing the first goal. Kyle Palmieri leads the Crunch with four first-goals. He produced three in consecutive games between October 15 and October 21.

TRANSACTION: On Saturday, J.F. Jacques was recalled by the Anaheim Ducks. The Montreal, Quebec native suited up for Anaheim in the Ducks' 5-3 loss on Sunday to Minnesota. It was Jacques' second game playing for Anaheim in 2011-12. In 16 games with the Crunch this season, Jacques has 12 points (6g, 6a). Additionally, the Crunch have signed defenseman Derrick LaPoint to a professional tryout contract. LaPoint has appeared in two games with Syracuse this season and 16 games with the Reading Royals of the ECHL.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

ST. JOHN'S (WINNIPEG JETS): The Crunch take on a team from St. John's, Newfoundland for the first time since the 2004-05 season. Back then, they were the St. John's Maple Leafs, who then moved to Toronto to become the Marlies. This season, AHL hockey returned to The Rock, with the St. John's IceCaps becoming the AHL affiliate of the re-formed Winnipeg Jets, who were originally the Atlanta Thrashers. The IceCaps are enjoying a nice start to their franchise, leading the Eastern Conference with 32 points. They've lost just four games in regulation, tied for the fewest in the league with the Houston Aeros. St. John's is coming off back-to-back road wins in Toronto and Hamilton. St. John's ranks first in the AHL with a goals-per-game average of 3.68. Offensively, the IceCaps are led by center Marco Rosa, who is tied for 13th in the league with 22 points. The goaltending duties have been split between former Islanders prospect Peter Mannino, former Colorado Avalanche netminder David Aebischer and rookie Edward Pasquale.

HAMILTON (MONTREAL CANADIENS): The Crunch host the Hamilton Bulldogs for the only time this season on Saturday. Last season, the Crunch went 1-2-0-1 against their neighbors North of the Border. Last season, the Bulldogs reached the Western Conference Finals, but fell in Game 7 to the Houston Aeros. This season, Hamilton has struggled out of the gate, sitting in last place in the North Division. They've won just once in their last seven games, and that came on Saturday against the Rochester Americans, 3-2, at home. The Bulldogs have struggled offensively, ranking last in the league with a goals-per-game average of 2.14. Their leading point-getter, Brian Willsie, has just 13 points. But the Bulldogs recently had Aaron Pulashaj, who has eight points in seven games, returned after a stint with Montreal. Former New York Islanders prospect Nathan Lawson leads the Bulldogs in wins with six.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Stanley Steemer Tired Teddy Toss: The Crunch and Stanley Steemer are teaming up this holiday season to collect new and gently used stuffed animals to be donated to The Salvation Army. Fans can bring the new and gently used stuffed animals into the Crunch office beginning Wednesday, November 30 through the Saturday December 10 game. For each stuffed animal fans donate they will be entered into a drawing for a $500 gift card to Carousel Center.

At the club's December 10 game against the Hamilton Bulldogs, when the Crunch score their first goal fans are asked to toss the stuffed animals onto the ice, where they will then be collected and refurbished by Stanley Steemer. All the refurbished stuffed animals will then be donated to The Salvation Army.

Morrisville State College High School Night: The Crunch have announced that Morrisville State College high school night. Any high school student who shows valid ID can purchase a $14 ticket to the club's December 10 game against the Hamilton Bulldogs courtesy of Morrisville State College.

CRUNCHABLES: Nicolas Deschamps and Mat Clark each played in their 100thgames as members of the Crunch on December 2 versus Hershey...The Crunch are 10-4-2-0 when they score a power-play goal...Nick Bonino and Mathieu Carle had their season-long four-game assist streaks snapped...Patrick Maroon leads the Crunch with seven multi-point games.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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