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Game Notes: 4/04/08 v. Rochester Americans
Crunch Magic Continues with Tenth Straight Win
Syracuse, NY (April 4, 2008) - The Syracuse Crunch have a flare for the dramatic and it isn’t getting old. It was a hard-fought game that went down to the wire and they pulled it out again.
Syracuse, NY (April 4, 2008) - The Syracuse Crunch have a flare for the dramatic and it isn’t getting old. It was a hard-fought game that went down to the wire and they pulled it out again.
The Syracuse Crunch is currently starring in its version of “Groundhog Day”. Syracuse continues to replay the scenario, tweaking the plot to get to the perfect ending.
It’s like a broken record and speaking of broken records, Syracuse established yet another franchise mark with its 10th consecutive win.
Nate DiCasmirro fired home Andrei Plekhanov’s rebound from the right edge of the crease with only 52 seconds left in regulation to pull out an intense 4-3 win over the Rochester Americans Friday at the Onondaga County War Memorial in front of 6,092 fans.
DiCasmirro’s power-play goal help set a new AHL season mark for points in consecutive games at 18 and tied Manitoba for most consecutive wins this season at 10.
It was also the first time this season that Syracuse has scored four power-play goals in a game.
Rochester opened the scoring before the game was 10 minutes old but Syracuse tied the game late in the frame as Marc Methot pounced on Derick Brassard’s rebound.
Rochester’s Michael Funk was trying to clear the puck from in front of his own net early in the second but instead kicked it onto the blade of Kirill Starkov’s stick, putting Syracuse ahead 2-1.
The lead lasted less than two minutes before the Amerks knotted the score at 2-2 on a goal from David Whitmore.
David Cullen held the puck in at the left point and was able to skate to the top of the left circle before he blasted home a power-play goal early in the third but Rochester once again found a way to tie the game at 3-3 just 38 seconds later.
Syracuse remains four points back of Manitoba after the Moose scored a shorthanded goal with a little over a minute left to beat Toronto 2-1.
3-Stars—No. 1, Cullen (1 Goal, 2 assists), No. 2, DiCasmirro, (Game Winner), No. 3, Methot (goal).
They Said It-
“Let’s hope these close games are preparing us for the playoffs. You know it’s going to be tighter come playoff time. When Columbus sends the guys back, in about five days, there’s going to be a change but right now it’s a great locker room to be in. It is so exciting. Mike Radja was my centerman tonight in his first pro game steps in and plays great. All these young guys are coming in stepping up and playing well.” Mark Rycroft’s post-game thoughts.
“It felt great. I missed a couple of chances throughout the game and to have that one finally go in, it felt really good.” Nate DiCasmirro on his game-winning goal.
“It’s awesome. We come to the rink and we’re together. At the rink, away from the rink you just don’t want to let the guy down next to you. It’s just fun to come play here every day.” DiCasmirro on the 18-game point streak.