Game 44: Syracuse Crunch (25-12-2-4) vs. Adirondack Phantoms (18-23-2-1)
7:30 p.m. at War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, N.Y.

The Crunch play the first game of a three-in-three weekend Friday night against the Adirondack Phantoms, Syracuse's sixth three-in-three of the season and first since mid November. Saturday is the seventh of eight meetings between the Crunch and Phantoms, with the final pairing slated for Sunday in Glens Falls.  Both teams have three wins in head-to-head meetings this season, but the Crunch have earned points in all six games (3-0-1-2). Friday will be the first time the teams squared off since a 4-3 shootout victory for the Phantoms Dec. 21.

Coverage
Listen to live play-by-play on The Score 1260 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. For post-game recap, visit SyracuseCrunch.com and join the conversation on Facebook.

Where they Stand
Adirondack has been shut out in its last two games, losing 3-0 Saturday in Wilkes-Barre and 3-0 Wednesday vs. Binghamton. The Phantoms have three wins in their last ten games (3-6-1-0) and are 18-23-2-1 overall. Their 39 points are last in the North Division and tied with Norfolk for the smallest point total in the Eastern Conference; only the Western Conference's Hamilton Bulldogs have fewer points (36). 

The Crunch remain in fourth place in the Eastern Conference at 25-12-2-4, 56 points, four points behind Binghamton and Springfield for the conference lead. The Crunch have three points in their last seven games and lost both games in Week 17: 5-3 in Springfield and 5-3 vs. Rochester, the first time the team has allowed five goals in consecutive games. Syracuse has nine home wins (9-7-2-2), with only three AHL teams totaling fewer victories on home ice (Worcester, Albany and Hamilton).

Scouting Report
The Phantoms lost their two top scorers, Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier (who combined for 61 points), to the NHL and are now led by defenseman Danny Syvret (3g-19a-22pts), forward Jason Akeson (7g-14a-21pts) and left wing Harry Zolnierczyk (9g-8a-17pts). Goaltender Scott Munroe has played in 23 games with a 9-11-0 record, 2.65 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and one shutout. Veteran Brian Boucher has started four of the last six games since joining the team and is 2-3-0 with a 2.41 goals-against average.

Alex Killorn's four goals and two assists in six games against the Phantoms leads all Crunch players. The rookie has a three game scoring streak with three goals and three assists since Jan. 26 vs. St. John's. Also registering points in the last three games are Mark Barberio (6a), Richard Panik (2g, 3a) and J.T. Wyman (2g, 1a).