AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week 15 - Deslauriers Finding His Stride

Published on January 9, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


DESLAURIERS FINDING HIS STRIDE: Crunch goaltender Jeff Deslauriers has been making the most of his recent opportunities. After starting the season 3-0, Deslauriers struggled to pick up wins, but has now won two out of his last three starts. Deslauriers earned a 6-2 victory in a feisty contest on New Year's Eve in Binghamton. The Quebec native stopped 37 of 39 shots to earn the victory. In Toronto, last Tuesday, Deslauriers was the unlucky loser as the Crunch failed to produce any goals in a 2-0 defeat, giving Deslauriers the loss on 26 saves. On Saturday, with the Crunch in need of snapping their two game losing streak, Deslauriers was superb in goal, stopping 32 shots en route to a 4-3 win over East Division rivals, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. In his past three starts, Deslauriers has a 2.36 goals-against average with a .931 save percentage.

A NEW FACE JOINS THE CRUNCH: After beginning the season with the Anaheim Ducks, right Andrew Gordon has been loaned to the Crunch. Gordon has five points (2g, 3a) in five games with Anaheim this season. In 49 career NHL games, Gordon has collected seven points (3g, 4a). Crunch fans may recognize Gordon from seasons' past as a member of the Hershey Bears. In 14 games as a member of the Bears, Gordon produced 17 points (8g, 9a) against the Crunch from 2008-11.The Halifax, Nova Scotia, native has been very productive at the AHL throughout his career with 221 points (102g, 119a) in 266 games.

TARRKI AN NHL WINNER: Just minutes after the Crunch defeated the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on Saturday in Pennsylvania, Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki was informed he had been recalled by the Anaheim Ducks for the first time in his short North American professional career. Joined by Kyle Palmieri and J.F. Jacques, the three players drove to the Philadelphia airport straight from the arena to head to Anaheim. Less than 24 hours later, Tarkki was on the bench for his first regular season NHL game. During the game, Ducks starting goaltender Jonas Hiller suffered an injury, 4:14 into the second period, with Anaheim up 4-1, giving Tarkki his first regular season NHL appearance. Tarkki stopped six of nine shots in just over 35 minutes of work and earned his first NHL victory.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

BINGHAMTON (OTTAWA SENATORS): The Binghamton Senators and Crunch renew their rivalry on Friday in Binghamton, the site of the 169-penaly minute fight fest on New Year's Eve. The Crunch look to extend their point streak against the Senators to five games (3-0-1-0) this season and six games overall. On New Year's Eve, the Crunch cruised to a 6-2 win over the Senators. Kyle Palmieri (2g, 1a), Patrick Maroon (1g, 2a) and Kyle Cumiskey (3a) each pitched in with three points. Peter Holland registered two goals and Jeff Deslauriers earned the win with 37 saves. After being suspended for three games due to the scrum in the previous contest, Binghamton goaltender Robin Lehner is eligible to return to the lineup when the teams meet on Friday. Left wing Rob Klinkhammer leads the Senators with 12 goals and 23 points. Reigning AHL MVP Corey Locke, who was recently named to the AHL All-Star Classic, has 20 points in 18 games. The Crunch and Senators are currently tied with 34 points, but the Crunch have played in five fewer games.

ALBANY (NEW JERSEY DEVILS): The Crunch and Albany Devils meet for the third time this season on Saturday. The Crunch are 1-1-0-0 against Albany this season. The most recent meeting on December 14, saw a wild 3-2 overtime with for the Crunch, capped off by a Nick Bonino goal with less than a second remaining in the extra session. Since then, Albany has gone 4-3-2-1, including back-to-back wins in Norfolk over the weekend. Steve Zalewski is first on Albany with nine goals and is tied for the team lead with Matt Anderson with 21 points. Rookie Keith Kincaid leads the Devils with nine wins.

WORCESTER (SAN JOSE SHARKS): Sunday is the first of two meetings between the Crunch and the Worcester Sharks. The teams have only faced twice in their history, both times in 2009-10, with Worcester winning both matchups. The Sharks have won just once in their last five games, but still sit in third place in the Atlantic Division. Left wing John McCarthy leads Worcester with 26 points, while San Jose call-up Tommy Wingels is first with 13 goals. Tyson Sexsmith and rookie Harri Sateri lead Worcester with eight wins each.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

RIUNITE WINE SAMPLING: Riunite Wine Sampling Night, to be held on Friday, January 20 when the Crunch take on the Norfolk Admirals.

Fans 21 and over will have the opportunity to sample Riunite Lambrusco and Riunite D'Oro, America's all-time favorite wine.Sampling will take place beginning at 6:30 p.m. when doors open through the second intermission, outside of Memorial Hall located on the first floor of The Oncenter War Memorial Arena

Riunite, America's #1 and best-loved Italian wine for over four decades, is the leading source of classic wines from Central Italy's Emilia Romagna Region, home of Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar.

Riunite is most closely identified with the Lambrusco grape, a variety native to central Italy.Lambrusco is said to be one of the oldest grapes in history, one that was first verified by the Etruscans, dating back to before the first century, B.C.When you are drinking Riunite, you are drinking history.

NY LOTTO NIGHT: The Friday, January 20 game against the Norfolk Admirals will be New York Lottery Nights at the Crunch.The first 500 fans 18 and over in attendance will receive a lottery coupon, courtesy of the New York Lottery.

HOCKEY N HEELS: Hockey N Heels is the perfect opportunity to learn the game of hockey and enjoy a fun ladies night out! Evening includes: Admission to the club's January 20 game vs Norfolk, Entrance to exclusive pregame gathering with hors d' Oeuvres and drinks (package includes one complimentary drink ticket), Hockey 101 session taught by a Crunch player and Janet Holick, wife of Head Coach Mark Holick. January 20, 2012 - pregame gathering at 6:30 in assembly hall (third floor of War Memorial), puck drops at 7:30 p.m. Call Maggie at 473-4444 ex. 30 to order the Hockey n Heels package for just $25.

UPCOMING APPEARANCES:

January 10 - Miller/Molson Celebrity Bartending at Smokey Bones (5-7 p.m.)

January 11 - Miller/Molson Celebrity Bartending at Hafners (7-5 p.m.)

January 12 - Autograph Signing at Tully's North Syracuse (5-7 p.m.)

CRUNCHABLES: Kyle Palmieri, J.F. Jacques and Iiro Tarkki were recalled to the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday...On Saturday, defensemen Matt Smaby, who made his Crunch debut, and Kyle Cumiskey scored. It was the first time since November 5 at least two Crunch defensemen registered a goal in a game (Mat Clark, Kyle Cumiskey, Bryan Rodney)...The Crunch improved to 3-2 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton this season.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 9, 2012


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