AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week Six - Sizzlin' Sexton

Published on November 7, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Right wing Dan Sexton broke out in a big way this past weekend, registering two goals and seven assists, helping to earn the Crunch three out of a possible four points in a home-and-home series against Rochester. The Apple Valley, Minnesota native contributed to nine of the ten goals scored in the two games, jettisoning him to a tie for first on the team with 13 points with Patrick Maroon and tied for first with nine assists with Nick Bonino. Sexton out-paced all AHL skaters this weekend with his nine points. Sexton began the weekend with a five point (1g, 4a) night in a 5-2 win at home against Rochester. The five points were the most by a Crunch player in a game since they became affiliated with the Anaheim Ducks last season. Sexton's four assists and five points are tied for the most by an AHL player in a single game this season. He followed up his five-point game with a four-point effort on Saturday with a goal and three assists in a 6-5 overtime loss in Rochester. Sexton is tied for second in the league with nine power-play points and is also tied for second in the league with 50 shots. Since October 26, Sexton has produced more points than any player in the AHL with 12 (3g, 9a) in five games.

OFFENSIVE DEFENSEMEN: Entering the weekend series against Rochester, only two Crunch defensemen had registered goals this season. That changed quickly, with four of the ten goals being potted by blueliners. Bryan Rodney scored twice, while Kyle Cumiskey and Mat Clark each contributed one. In the two games, defensemen registered eight points (4g, 4a). Rodney leads all Crunch defensemen with seven points (2g, 5a).

POWER PLAY EXPLODES: The Crunch owe much of their success this weekend to their man-advantage. Of the ten goals, six of them were scored on the power play, including four of the five goals on Friday. The Crunch have improved to third on the man-advantage in the league, converting at a rate of 28.8%. Only the Texas Stars have scored more than the Crunch's 15 power-play goals on the season. Over the past five games, the Crunch have totaled 11 power-play goals on 27 chances, an efficiency rate of 40.7%.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

ADIRONDACK (PHILADELPHIA FLYERS): The Crunch meet the Adirondack Phantoms for the first time since the Mirabito Home Opener, a 6-2 win for the home team. In the game, the Crunch were led by Kyle Palmieri (3g), Nick Bonino (4a) and Patrick Maroon (1g, 2a). Since then, the Phantoms have gone 5-2-1-0, and sit in second place in the Northeast Division. The Phantoms have won their last two games, topping Hershey and Springfield by the same score, 2-1. Adirondack is led by cagey veteran Denis Hamel, who has 12 points (8g, 4a). Three of the Phantoms' top players from the start of the season are currently on recall with Philadelphia (Brayden Schenn, Harry Zolnierczyk, Eric Wellwood and Erik Gustafsson). Michael Leighton has played a majority of games in goal for the Phantoms, going 6-2-0.

ALBANY (NEW JERSEY DEVILS): The Crunch take on the Albany Devils in the first of ten meetings this Saturday at the War Memorial Arena. The Crunch went 4-3-0-1 against Albany last season. Of the current team, Dan Sexton led the Crunch in scoring last season against the Devils with seven points (2g, 5a). Albany is currently tied for third in the Northeast Division with a record of 6-6-0-1. The Devils are led offensively by a pair of rookies. Joe Whitney ranks first on the team with ten points and Mike Sislo is tied for second with seven. Rookie netminder Keith Kinkaid is first on the team in wins (3) and goals-against average (1.98).

CRUNCHABLES: Peter Holland made his NHL debut on Tuesday in Detroit, registering 11:06 of ice time and two hits...The Crunch are ranked third in the league with a goals-per-game average of 3.73...In the 11 games this season, the Crunch have recorded at least 30 shots in ten games and are ranked third in the league in shots per game with 34.18.

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American Hockey League Stories from November 7, 2011


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