AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week Sixteen: Here's Johnny

Published on January 24, 2011 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Crunch left wing John Mitchell appeared in all four games for the Crunch last week, scoring twice with 10 shots on goal and a plus-1 rating. Mitchell has steadily improved his game all year after frequently being a healthy scratch and spending some time in Elmira earlier this season, and it is now paying dividends for the Crunch.

Although he was kept off the score sheet in the first three games this past week, Mitchell made himself a strong presence, using his 6-foot, 5-inch, 216-pound frame to win battles along the boards and plant himself in front of the net to make it harder on opposing defensemen and goaltenders. That kind of work that doesn't always show up on the stat sheet finally did reap rewards for Mitchell on Saturday vs. Norfolk.

Mitchell tallied two of the Crunch's three goals, both on deflections from point shots, to help his club to a 3-2 win. Both were fairly simple plays, but again, Mitchell used his size to his advantage, creating a screen and then using his hand-eye coordination to deflect each of the shots past Norfolk netminder Mike Smith. In addition, Mitchell registered five shots on goal and a plus-1 rating, earning first star of the game honors for his effort.

A native of Neenah, Wisconsin, Mitchell has appeared in 30 games for the Crunch this season, tallying six points (4g, 2a). Prior to turning pro, Mitchell spent four years at the University of Wisconsin from 2006-10, racking up 61 points (32g, 29a) in 139 contests. He was signed by the Crunch to an American Hockey League contract on July 22, 2010.

SAINT PATRICK: Crunch left wing Patrick Maroon has been an offensive bright spot for his club recently. Over his last six games, the St. Louis, Missouri native has recorded three points (2g, 1a), with both of his goals coming against Rochester. Over his last eight games dating back to December 31 at Hershey, Maroon has six points (2g, 4a). He had three assists in two games from December 31 - January 1 prior to missing the next four games with an injury.

Maroon was named the game's second star after scoring a goal, and registering a plus-1 rating and five shots on goal in Friday night's 2-1 loss to Rochester. He also picked up an assist on Stefan Chaput's second period goal on Saturday in an eventual 3-2 win over Norfolk. In 23 games with the Crunch this season, Maroon has recorded 13 points (5g, 8a).

UPCOMING GAMES:

HOUSTON AEROS (MINNESOTA WILD): The Crunch welcome in a rare opponent in Houston on Wednesday, January 26 at The Oncenter War Memorial Arena for the first of two contests against the Aeros this season. Syracuse travels to the Lone Star State to battle Houston on Friday, March 4. The Crunch went 1-0-1-0 against the Aeros last season and are 6-5-1 in 12 all-time meetings. Robbie Earl is having a solid year for Houston and leads the club in scoring with 31 points (14g, 17a) in 38 games. Goaltenders Matt Hackett and Anton Khudobin have split time in net this season, combining for a 24-20-3 record with a 2.49 goals against average and .913 save percentage.

TORONTO MARLIES (TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS): The Crunch welcome Toronto to The Oncenter War Memorial Arena on Friday, January 28 for the first of two games between the two in Syracuse and second of four overall meetings between the two clubs this season. Syracuse was edged by Toronto in the first meeting, when Christian Hanson notched the game-winning power play goal with 50 seconds left in regulation to give the Marlies a 2-1 win back on November 27. Nathan Paetsch scored the Crunch's only goal of the game and Timo Pielmeier stopped 36 of 38 shots despite taking the loss. The Crunch are 19-15-1 in 35 all-time meetings against Toronto.

ADIRONDACK PHANTOMS (PHILADELPHIA FLYERS): The Crunch get another crack at their first win of the season against Adirondack on Saturday, January 29 at The Oncenter War Memorial Arena. The last-place Phantoms have given the Crunch trouble so far this year, winning all four meetings between the two clubs in 2010-11. Four of Adirondack's 13 wins have come at the expense of the Crunch, with rookie Erik Gustafsson leading the way with seven points (1g, 6a) and veteran Denis Hamel racking up five points (1g, 4a) in three games vs. Syracuse. For the Crunch, Kyle Palmieri has picked up three points (2g, 1a), while Nicolas Deschamps (1g, 1a), Mat Clark (0g, 2a) and Mark Mitera (0g, 2a) have all notched two points against Adirondack in the season series.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

MIRABITO ICE GIRLS TO APPEAR AT EAST STREET YOGA - JANUARY 25: The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Mirabito Ice Girls are scheduled to appear at East Street Yoga in Solvay on Tuesday, January 25 from 6 - 7:30 p.m. East Street Yoga is hosting this event with the Mirabito Ice Girls in honor of National Yoga Day and as part of 'Syracuse Crunch Yoga Night presented by East Street Yoga,' which will be held on January 29 when the Crunch take on the Adirondack Phantoms at The Oncenter War Memorial Arena.

The Mirabito Ice Girls will be at East Street Yoga for a complimentary yoga class and reception. East Street Yoga is located at 315 Bridge Street in Solvay (above Camillus Chiropractic). To reserve a spot in the complimentary yoga class, please call the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The Crunch's weekly schedule is as follows (practice location and time subject to change):

Tuesday, January 25 Practice @ War Memorial - 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday, January 26 Morning Skate @ War Memorial - 10:00 a.m.

Game vs. Houston - 7:00 p.m.

Thursday, January 27 Practice @ War Memorial - 10:30 a.m.

Friday, January 28 Morning Skate @ War Memorial - 10:00 a.m.

Game vs. Toronto - 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 29 Morning Skate @ War Memorial - 10:00 a.m.

Game vs. Adirondack - 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, January 30 TBD

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch are to 13-7-1-1 when scoring three or more goals.Saturday marked Josh Green's 300th AHL game.Green's next point will be the 200th of his AHL career.With their win Saturday, Syracuse improved its record to 3-1-0-0 against Norfolk this season...Syracuse is 8-4-0-1 on Saturdays this year..Nine of the Crunch's 16 wins this season have been decided by one goal.Through 20 home games this season, the Crunch have seen a 4.35% increase in attendance, with an average of 4,990 fans per game, compared to 4,782 average attendance through 20 home games last season.

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American Hockey League Stories from January 24, 2011


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