Last time out
William Karlsson scored twice for the Norfolk Admirals including the overtime game-winner during 3-on-3 action, to defeat the Syracuse Crunch, 2-1, Saturday at the Norfolk Scope, the last meeting between the Crunch and Admirals before the Anaheim Ducks move their AHL affiliate to San Diego. 

Artem Sergeev scored his first goal for the Crunch this season, starting the scoring in the first period when his centering pass deflected off of Mark Fistric's skate and slid into the back of the net, ending the Syracuse scoreless slump at 136:55. Carter Ashton recorded his first Crunch point with an assist on the goal and J.P. Cote got the secondary assist, his sixth of the season.

Karlsson scored his first goal to tie the game midway through the second period, and the game-winning tally on a right wing shot that beat Crunch goalie Kristers Gudlevskis.

Gudlevskis made 24 saves in the overtime loss, including a penalty shot by Max Friberg in the final seconds of the second period. The loss is his second in overtime this season and drops his record to 15-8-2. Jason LaBarbera stopped 20 of 21 Crunch shots for his seventh win of the season.

A year-by-year breakdown of the Crunch through 50 games
Syracuse has been affiliated with the Tampa Bay Lightning for three seasons, and in two of those three campaigns the team reached 66 points in its first 50 games. A point Saturday in Norfolk helped this year's Crunch tie the 2012-13 club which went on to an East Division title and Calder Cup Finals appearance.

2014-15:    29-13-8-0 overall (66pts)    15-4-4-0 home (34 points in 23 home games)
2013-14:    18-23-4-5 overall (45pts)    7-9-2-3 home (19 points in 21 home games)
2012-13:    30-14-2-4 overall (66pts)    10-8-2-2 home (24 points in 22 home games)

No team in the AHL has fewer home losses than the Crunch, four. Syracuse's total of 34 points at home this season ranks sixth in the AHL. Its .739 home points percentage ranks third in the AHL behind Manchester (.800) and Hershey (.750). Syracuse ended the 2013-14 season with a .566 home points percentage and a .592 mark in 2014-15.

Head to Head
Syracuse is 4-0 against Albany this season, with one goal deciding each game and extra time required in three of four. The Devils visited Syracuse twice in one December week; the Crunch won Dec. 20 and Dec. 26 by a 3-2 score. Syracuse's other two triumphs came in Albany on Nov. 12, 3-2, and Jan. 2, 2-1. The Devils and Crunch face off three more times after tonight: Feb. 27, March 14 and April 15. 

Jonathan Marchessault has five assists against the Devils and Vladislav Namestnikov has three goals and one assist. Joey Mormina, a former Albany River Rat who's played 599 AHL games, has one goal and one assist vs. Albany. Paul Thompson has three points against the Crunch (2g, 1a); Reid Boucher has two goals.

Scouting the Devils
The Devils enter Friday on their own five-game losing streak, losing every game in regulation during that stretch. Since the Jan. 2 loss against Syracuse, Albany has posted a 7-10-2-0 record.

Joe Whitney and Paul Thompson are among the AHL's top 20 scorers with 40 and 39 points, respectively. Thompson leads the Devils with 23 goals, which is second in the league, and leads the team with a plus-12. Whitney leads the Devils in helpers, posting 23 assists.

Scott Wedgewood and Scott Clemmensen have alternated starts during the five-game losing streak and have served as the top two goalies for Albany this season. Wedgewood posts a 2.88 goals-against average with a 7-11-5 record in 25 starts. Clemmensen has started between the posts 13 times and holds a 2.79 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage with a 4-7-1 record.

Getting the early advantage
In the six games Jonathan Marchessault has been out of the lineup, the Crunch have failed to the first goal in any contest. The Crunch rank third in the AHL in points percentage when scoring first, recording 40 out of a possible 48 points. Only Utica (46 out of a possible 52 points) and Chicago (42 points out of a possible 50) hold better points percentages.

In 50 games, Syracuse has tallied the first score in 24 contests, accruing a record of 18-2-4-0, ranking ninth in the league in wins, and 11th in the AHL in points when scoring the first goal. The Crunch are tied with Utica for fewest regulation losses when getting on the scoreboard before their opponent.

The Crunch have blown 1-0 leads and lost in regulation twice: Nov. 26 at Utica, and Dec. 31 at Rochester. In Syracuse's four matchups with Albany, all wins, the Crunch have scored the first goal twice. 

Special Teams
Syracuse comes into play 27th in the AHL on the power play (11.9 %). The Crunch score more frequently when up a man at the War Memorial, converting on 14.9% of their home power play opportunities (19th in the AHL).

Syracuse has scored on 25% of its power play chances in its last five home games (5 for 25). Albany is 13th in the AHL on the power play (17.2%). The Devils have scored just three power play goals in their last ten games.

The Crunch are 24th in the AHL on the penalty kill (81%). Syracuse has allowed just two power play goals in its last five home games. Albany is 25th in AHL on the penalty kill (80.9%).