AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week Twenty Five: Saved By The Bell

Published on March 16, 2010 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Crunch defenseman Brendan Bell was acquired by the Columbus Blue Jackets and assigned to the Crunch on December 8, 2009. He came with a reputation as being one of the best offensive defensemen in the American Hockey League. He has proven that to be true 42 games into his tenure with the club.

Bell appeared in all three games for the Crunch this past weekend and led the team in scoring with four points (1g, 3a). He notched an assist on the Crunch's only goal and recorded four shots in a 3-1 loss to Lowell on Friday night at the War Memorial at Oncenter and registered two points (1g, 1a), including a power play goal as the Crunch dropped a 5-3 decision to Rochester on Saturday.

The Ottawa, Ontario native picked up another assist, again on Syracuse's only goal of the contest, in a 3-1 loss to Albany Sunday afternoon at the Times Union Center. Bell now has at least a point in each of his last seven contests, recording nine points (5g, 4a) over that span.

In 64 combined games with the Crunch and Peoria this season, Bell ranks third among all AHL defensemen with 48 points (14g, 34a). In addition, he ranks first among all league blueliners in power play scoring with 12 goals and 19 assists.

CRUNCH ANNOUNCE ROSTER MOVES: The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have assigned right wing Maksim Mayorov to the Crunch. In addition, The Crunch have recalled left wing Tim Miller and goaltender Dan Taylor from Gwinnett (ECHL) and released right wing Simon Ferguson.

Mayorov, 20, has appeared in 61 games with the Crunch this season, tallying 11 goals, 12 assists and 18 penalty minutes. In addition, he has skated in four games with Columbus this year. A native of Andizhan, Russia, Mayorov was selected by Columbus in the fourth round, 94th overall, in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.

Miller, 23, has appeared in 12 games with the Crunch season, recording one goal, one assist and 11 penalty minutes. In addition, Miller has skated in 44 games with Gwinnett this year, totaling 15 goals, 20 assist and 103 penalty minutes. A native of Davisburg, Michigan, Miller was signed by the Crunch to an AHL contract on October 1, 2009.

Taylor, 23, has appeared in four games with the Crunch this season, going 1-1-0 with a 3.66 goals against average and.870 save percentage. In addition, Taylor has skated in 36 games for Gwinnett this year, going 17-13-5 with a 3.45 goals against average and.903 save percentage. A native of Plymouth, England, Taylor was signed by the Crunch to an AHL contract on October 1, 2009.

Ferguson, 26, has appeared in 42 games with the Crunch this season, notching six assists and 102 penalty minutes. Ferguson was on his third 25-game professional tryout contract of the season with the Crunch after originally being signed by the club on November 6, 2009.

UPCOMING GAMES:

MANCHESTER MONARCHS (LOS ANGELES KINGS): The Crunch welcome the Manchester Monarchs to the War Memorial at Oncenter for the first time ever and second of two meetings between these two clubs this season. Manchester won the previous contest played at Verizon Wireless Arena back on February 13, a 2-0 decision on the strength of goals from Corey Elkins and Dwight King and a 34-save shutout performance from all-star goaltender Jonathan Bernier. Kevin Lalande stopped 22 of 23 Monarchs shots in the losing effort. Manchester shows a balanced scoring attack, with nine players recording 20 points or more. Bernier is among the AHL goaltending leaders in a number of categories, including wins (26 - fifth), goals against average (2.08 - third), save percentage (.937 - first) and shutouts (8 - first).

BRIDGEPORT SOUND TIGERS (NEW YORK ISLANDERS): The Bridgeport Sound Tigers make their first visit to the War Memorial at Oncenter since November 25, 2005 for the first contest between these two clubs since they last met at the Arena at Harbor Yard on January 29, 2006. Former Crunch right wing Greg Mauldin leads Bridgeport in scoring with 48 points (21g, 27a) in 65 games and the goaltending tandem of Nathan Lawson and Scott Munroe, who have combined to go 29-26-3 with a 2.52 goals against average,.922 save percentage and three shutouts. This will be Greg Moore's first game against his former team since being acquired by Columbus from the NY Islanders in exchange for Dylan Reese on March 1, 2010. Bridgeport currently has six (6) former Crunch players on its active roster (Mark Flood, Greg Mauldin, Mike Radja, Brett Motherwell, Jeremy Reich and Mark Wotton).

HERSHEY BEARS (WASHINGTON CAPITALS): The Crunch welcome the AHL-leading Hershey Bears to town on Saturday night for the third of six meetings between the two teams this year. Starting Saturday, the Crunch face Hershey four times in their last 11 regular season games. The Bears roll into the War Memorial at Oncenter having already clinched a Calder Cup playoff berth and owning the league's best record. The Crunch dropped the previous two meetings back on December 26 and January 17. Mathieu Perreault (2g, 2a) and Chris Bourque (1g, 3a) lead Hershey in scoring against the Crunch this season. Overall, the Bears boast the AHL's top two scorers in Keith Aucoin (32g, 54a) and Alexandre Giroux (36g, 49a).

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

ALE 'N' ANGUS GREEN COWBELL GIVEAWAY WEDNESDAY: the first 1,500 fans at this Wednesday's March 17 game vs. Manchester will receive a green cowbell in recognition of St. Patrick's Day, courtesy of Ale 'n' Angus Pub. Ale 'n' Angus Pub is located at 238 Harrison St., kitty-corner to the War Memorial in downtown Syracuse. Ale 'n' Angus Pub offers a full bar, a variety of American cuisine and hosts private parties. Reservations on game nights can be made by calling (315) 426-9672.

CRUNCH FOUNDATION TO HOLD LUCK O' THE PUCK FUNDRAISER: The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Crunch Foundation, the club's charitable arm, will hold a Luck O' the Puck fundraiser at the club's game this Wednesday, March 17 vs. Manchester at 7 p.m.

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the Crunch Foundation will sell 75 Luck O' the Puck 'mystery pucks', including Mirabito Outdoor Classic souvenir pucks autographed by Crunch players and pucks donated from other teams around the American Hockey League.

For $10 fans will have the opportunity to purchase Luck O' the Puck bags that contains a 'mystery puck.' The bags will be sold by the Crunch Foundation at the merchandise stand located on the State Street side of War Memorial at Oncenter beginning at 6 p.m.

In addition to the Crunch autographed Mirabito Outdoor Classic souvenir pucks, Luck O' the Puck 'mystery pucks' will include:

Abbotsford Heat 2009 inaugural game puck signed by Leland Irving

Adirondack Phantoms official game puck signed by David Laliberte

Albany River Rats official practice puck signed by Bryan Rodney

Chicago Wolves Calder Cup Champion souvenir puck (2)

Hartford Wolf Pack practice puck signed by Donald Brashear

Lowell Devils souvenir puck signed by Mike McKenna

Manchester Monarchs commemorative puck

Manchester Monarchs official game puck signed by Tom Cavanaugh

Milwaukee Admirals official game puck signed by Patrick Hornqvist

Norfolk Admirals souvenir puck signed by Ryan Craig

Portland Pirates souvenir puck signed by Dennis Persson,

Rockford IceHogs souvenir puck signed by Matt Keith

Springfield Falcons official game puck signed by Ryan O'Marra

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton St. Patrick's Day souvenir puck signed by Keven Veilleux

Worcester Sharks 2009 AHL All-Star Classic puck signed by Mike Iggulden.

The Crunch Foundation strives to strengthen and broaden the impact of the Syracuse Crunch in the Central New York region by providing funds to non-profit groups and by supporting educational and community programs.

CRUNCHABLES: Chad Kolarik was kept off the score sheet Sunday for the first time in six games with the Crunch.Kevin Lalande has started 18 of the Crunch's last 21 games.Syracuse has allowed at least one power play goal in each of the last five games.The Crunch have scored first in just 26 of their 67 games this season.The Crunch had their four-game road win streak snapped with Sunday's 3-1 loss to Albany at the Times Union Center.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from March 16, 2010


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