Game 45: Syracuse Crunch (19-16-8-1) at Hershey Bears (23-13-3-6)7 p.m., Giant Center, Hershey, Pa.
After a 5-3 loss against the Bears at the War Memorial Friday, Syracuse visits Hershey Saturday for the sixth and final game of the season series and the last game before the
Toyota AHL All-Star Classic.
The Crunch had points in five consecutive games until Friday's regulation loss. At 19-16-8-1 (.534), the Crunch are third in the North Division and eighth in the Eastern Conference. Eight Eastern Conference clubs (slots 6 to 13) are separated by five points with a points percentage range of .557 to .500.
Broadcast Coverage | Countdown to Crunch Time at 6:45 p.m.Radio: ESPN | 97.7FM & 1200AM Syracuse | 100.1FM & 1440AM Oswego |
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AHL Live AppSocial: @SyracuseCrunch for in-game updates and @Dan_DUva for insights from the broadcast booth. | #BelieveInBlueLast Time OutDespite scoring on its first two shots, the Crunch lost to the Bears, 5-3, Friday at the War Memorial Arena. Hershey had not won at Syracuse since Jan. 24, 2014. The Crunch have lost to Hershey
in regulation three times in 17 meetings over the last three seasons (12-3-1-1).
Yanni Gourde and
Tanner Richard registered a goal and an assist each, and
Mike Blunden notched two assits. No Bear had multiple points, but 11 Hershey players had single points. Travis Boyd, Liam O'Brien and and Garrett Mitchell markers put the Bears ahead, 3-2. Dustin Gazley provided the eventual game winner and Sean Collin scored a shorthanded empty-net goal in the closing seconds.
Justin Peters earned first-star honors with 34 saves, as the Crunch posted a home-best 37 shots on goal.
Adam Wilcox, who had won three straight, made 21 saves on 25 shots in defeat.
Ryan Martindale and
Kevin Lynch made their Crunch season debuts, having signed PTOs Thursday. Martindale assisted on Gourde's shorthanded goal in the second but was on the ice for two Hershey scores. Lynch was not, and did not factor on any Crunch goals but did help the Crunch penalty kill stop three of four Hershey power plays. Syracuse was 1-for-6 with a man up with
Adam Erne's eighth goal and fifth power-play score.
Scouting the BearsAfter their win Friday, the Bears remain third in the Atlantic Division and fifth in the Eastern Conference at 23-13-3-6 (.611). They have points in eight consecutive games (5-0-2-1). Hershey's eight shootouts lead the AHL (2-6).
Chris Bourque was scoreless Friday and slipped to third in the AHL at 43 points, behind Seth Griffith (Providence) and T.J. Brennan (Toronto). NHL veteran Scott Gomez has joined the Bears and has posted seven points (1g, 6a) in his first six career AHL games including an assist Friday in Syracuse. Sean Collins leads the Bears vs. Syracuse with three goals and four points.
Dan Ellis (13-6-4, 2.60) and Justin Peters (10-6-5, 2.99) both have wins against the Crunch in splitting time this year.
Special TeamsAfter going 1-for-6 on the power play over four games, Syracuse was 1-for-6 Friday vs. Hershey. They retain 11th place in the league at 17.6%. Syracuse's penalty kill ranks 19th at 82.6%. Gourde's shorthanded goal Friday was the team's second of the year; last season the Crunch scored seven (15th in the AHL).
Hershey's power play improved from 25th to 24th (14.1%) with a 1-for-6 effort Friday. The penalty kill also improved a slot, 23rd to 22nd (80.9%), with a 5-for-6 effort Friday. Their special teams differential remains minus-11 (26 goals for, 37 goals against).
Lightning FlashTampa Bay has won eight of nine, including a 1-0 win Wednesday against Toronto at Amalie Arena.
Andrei Vasilevskiy made 30 saves in his second career NHL shutout. The Bolts next play Wednesday against Detroit, tied with the Red Wings for second in the Atlantic Division at 58 points.
