Game 9: Syracuse Crunch at Hamilton Bulldogs
7:30 p.m. at Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ont.
Syracuse makes its first regular season trip to Canada Wednesday, beginning a two-game series with the Hamilton Bulldogs of the Western Conference. Hamilton begins Week 5 at 4-2-1-1, but its 10 points are only good for fourth place in the North Division, behind Abbotsford (6-1-0-2), Lake Erie (7-4-0-0) and Rochester (6-3-1-0). The Bulldogs split a weekend series with Rochester, losing on the road 3-2 in a shootout Friday and winning 4-3 at home Saturday. The Bulldogs are led offensively by Blake Geoffrion and rookie Brendan Gallagher who both lead the team with six points. Robert Mayer is Hamilton's lead goalie at 4-1-1-0 while rookie Peter Delmas is 0-2. The Crunch will face the Bulldogs four times this season, including Friday at Montreal's Bell Centre.
Coverage
Listen to live play-by-play on TheScore1260 with pregame coverage starting at 7:15 p.m. Pay-to-watch video is available on AHL Live. For in-game updates on Twitter, follow @SyracuseCrunch and broadcaster @Dan_Duva. Check SyracuseCrunch.com for post-game recap.
Conacher Streaking
Cory Conacher is the only American Hockey League player to record at least one point in each of his team's games (8) this season. The 22-year-old has 12 points (6g, 6a), most in the Eastern Conference and tied for third most in the league. If Conacher can register another point Wednesday, he would equal his career-long point streak of nine games, set last season with Norfolk.
Familiar Faces
Defenseman J.P. Cote, winger Cory Conacher and general manager Julien BriseBois are among those with Syracuse who have connections to Hamilton. Cote played for the Bulldogs from 2003 to 2008, winning the Calder Cup in 2007. Conacher grew up in neighboring Burlington, Ont. and skated for the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Junior Hockey League before heading to Canisius College. BriseBois worked for the Montreal Canadiens organization for nine seasons, including three as Hamilton's general manager, leading the Bulldogs to a 137-78-25 record. Eric Neilson and J.T. Wyman are also former Bulldogs.
Multi-point Efforts
Defenseman Matt Taormina had a goal and an assist in Syracuse's last game, Friday at Adirondack. That multi-point performance was the 12th of Taormina's AHL career in 127 regular season games played. Crunch players have totaled 13 multi-point games so far in 2012-13, two by defensemen (Mark Barberio and Taormina). Cory Conacher has two three-point games, Ondrej Palat and Brett Connolly have two two-point games, and Tyler Johnson has one three-point game and two two-point games.
Free Tickets for Military Saturday
As a sign of appreciation and thanks, the Syracuse Crunch welcome all active and retired members of the United States Military to the team's November 10 game vs. Rochester free of charge. To redeem a complimentary ticket, members of the military may visit the Crunch Office or War Memorial Box Office with valid identification. Call (315) 473-4444 for more information.
