Toronto, ON (January 3, 2012) – The Crunch couldn't overcome the Toronto Marlies and were shut out 2-0 tonight at the Ricoh Coliseum.

The Marlies took a two-goal lead in the first period and never looked back as the Crunch couldn't crack Marlies goaltender Jussi Rynnas.

The Crunch penalty kill unit was perfect turning aside five Toronto power-play chances, but the Crunch were unable to capitalize on the three man-advantages they were given.

Toronto opened the scoring at the 13:35 mark of the first period when Jeff Finger fed the puck across the crease to Kelsey Wilson who tapped the puck past Crunch goaltender Jeff Deslauriers to give the Marlies a 1-0 lead.

Former Crunch left wing Nicolas Deschamps, who was traded to Toronto earlier Tuesday, made it 2-0 in the final minute of the opening frame. Center Joe Colborne skated with the puck in the Crunch defensive zone before finding Deschamps for the score. Deschamps was traded in exchange for left wing Luca Caputi, who made his Crunch debut tonight.

The Crunch continue a seven game road trip when they face the Hamilton Bulldogs on Friday, January 6.

Crunchables: Crunch left wing J.F. Jacques was returned to the Crunch earlier Tuesday afternoon…The Crunch fall to 1-12-2-0 when allowing the first goal…The Crunch are 0-2-0-1 on Tuesdays this season…The Crunch are 0-8-1-1 when they don't score a power-play goal