AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week 14: Crunch Pick up Five of Six Points to End 2011

Published on January 2, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


CRUNCH PICK UP FIVE OF SIX POINTS TO END 2011: After losing three straight games for the first time this season, from December 16-21, the Crunch rebounded with points in three straight games to end the 2011 calendar year on a high note. On Wednesday, the Crunch, powered by the Patrick Maroon-Peter Holland-Brandon McMillan line, topped the Springfield Falcons, 5-2, at the War Memorial Arena. Holland registered his first four-point (2g, 2a) game of his career, while Maroon and McMillan each registered a goal and two assists. The Crunch salvaged a point on Friday against Binghamton with the help of John Mitchell, who tallied two goals for the first time this season in a 4-3 overtime loss. The next night, the Crunch dismantled the Senators in Binghamton, 6-2. The offense was led by Kyle Cumiskey, Kyle Palmieri, Maroon and Holland, who all recorded multi-point games. Maroon completed his third "Gordie Howe" Hat Trick of the season, with a goal, two assists and a fight. The win pushed the Crunch back over .500 and within four points of a playoff spot.

A HOMECOMING THIS WEEK FOR MANY: When the Crunch visit the Toronto Marlies and Hamilton Bulldogs this week, you can expect there to be plenty of Crunch fans in attendance. Besides those traveling from the Syracuse area, the Crunch will be supported by dozens of friends and family. Nine Crunch players are from the province of Ontario: Peter Holland (Toronto), Bryan Rodney (London), Mark Bell (St. Paul's), Matt Kennedy (Richmond Hill), Mark Fraser (Ottawa), Josh Brittain (Milton), John Kurtz (Oakville), Mat Clark (Campbellville) and Rick Schofield (Pickering). Nick Schaus did not grow up far from Toronto, on the other side of the border, in Orchard Park, NY, just outside of Buffalo. UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

TORONTO (TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS): It's the first regular season meeting of the year between the Crunch and the North Division-leading Toronto Marlies. The Crunch topped the Marlies in a pair of exhibition games at the beginning of the season. Despite being in first place in the division, Toronto has won just one of their previous four games, a 3-1 decision against St. John's on Sunday. The Marlies offense is fueled by leading scorer Mike Zigomanis (29) and leading goal-scorer Ryan Hamilton (15). A trio of goalies has split time between the pipes: rookie Mark Owuya, Cornell product Ben Scrivens and Finland native Jussi Rynnas.

HAMILTON (MONTREAL CANADIENS): The Crunch take on the Hamilton Bulldogs for the final time this season on Friday. Their first meeting saw Hamilton win 4-1 at the War Memorial Arena on December 10. Aaron Palushaj led the way with a goal and an assist. Hamilton has gone 4-1-3 since then. Palushaj is tied for the team in lead in points with 16 along with Frederic St-Denis and Brian Wilsie. Nathan Lawson has been the workhorse in goal, playing in 23 of the team's games this season.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON (PITTSBURGH PENGUINS): Saturday marks the fifth meeting of the season between the Crunch and the Penguins. Each team has won two of the first four games. The latest contest was a 3-2 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton win on December 16 at the War Memorial Arena. The Penguins have gone 2-3-0 since then and sit in third place in the East Division. Right wing Colin McDonald leads the Penguins with 28 points, while Eric Tangradi paces the team with 13 goals. Brad Thiessen leads the Penguins with 11 wins on the season.

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch finished the 2011 calendar year 36-33-5-2...Patrick Maroon led the Crunch in the month of December with 17 points in 12 games...Mathieu Carle has take over the team lead in points among defensemen with 17...The Crunch and Senators combined for 169 penalty minutes on Saturday, including five game misconducts.

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