AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week 30 - Bell on Fire at Right Time

Published on April 23, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


CRUNCH EVEN UP FIRST ROUND SERIES WITH ST. JOHN'S: After falling in Game 1 to St. John's in disappointing fashion, 3-2, the Crunch bounced back on Saturday. After falling behind just 41 seconds into the contest, the Crunch responded midway through the opening frame. Mark Bell scored off a rebound with assists going to Mathieu Carle and Dan Sexton. The Crunch took advantage of a couple fortuitous bounces to gain a 3-1 edge in the second period. Mat Clark had his shot ricochet off of a few bodies in front before trickling over the goal line, 41 seconds into the period. Just 1:40 later, John Mitchell's shot from a sharp angle caromed off goalie Eddie Pasquale and then IceCaps defender Jason DeSantis into the net for a 3-1 score. St. John's cut it to a 3-2 lead 1:57 late on a goal by Patrice Cormier. Just 46 seconds into the period, Aaron Gagnon tied the game up on the power play. The Crunch took advantage of back-to-back power plays in the third period to regain the lead. Kyle Palmieri centered from behind the net that went off Brandon McMillan's skate and through Pasquale's legs. Iiro Tarkki shut the door the rest of the way for his first AHL playoff victory.

BELL ON FIRE AT RIGHT TIME: Veteran Mark Bell had a frustrating second half of the season. An injury in early February kept him out of 28 of the team's last 32 games. He returned to the lineup on April 7, scoring in his second game back in a 5-1 loss to Rochester the final weekend of the season. With his help, the Crunch clinched the postseason. The former first round draft pick has been a key contributor in the Crunch's first two games of the postseason. He chipped in the go-ahead goal in Game 1 in the third period, before the Crunch ultimately lost 3-2. In Game 2, he registered a goal and an assist in the Crunch's 4-3 victory, evening the best-of-five series at one apiece. In 17 career AHL playoff games, Bell has 11 points (7g, 4a).

UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

ST. JOHN'S (WINNIPEG JETS): The Crunch and IceCaps continue their best-of-five series on Wednesday. The Crunch went 1-1 in St. John's in early December. Kyle Palmieri contributed a hat trick on December 7 in the Crunch's 5-3 win. Mark Bell, Dan Sexton and Mathieu Carle are tied for the team lead with three points against St. John's in the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. Aaron Gagnon leads St. John's with three points (3g) in the series.

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch improved to 19-16 on home ice in the playoffs all-time...Saturday marked the Crunch's first postseason win since May 7, 2008...Kyle Palmieri, Mat Clark and Brandon McMillan recorded their first career AHL playoff goals this weekend.

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American Hockey League Stories from April 23, 2012


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