CRUNCH MATCH UP WITH MARLIES
 
The Syracuse Crunch begin their first three-game week of the season tonight when they face off against the Toronto Marlies at the Coca-Cola Coliseum.
 
It's the first of four head-to-head meetings between the Crunch and Marlies this season. Syracuse has gone 10-1-1-2 versus the Marlies over the last two seasons.
 
BROADCAST COVERAGE
 
Countdown to Crunch Time at 6:45 p.m.
Streaming: Pay-to-watch video via AHLTV on FloHockey | www.syracusecrunch.com/watch
Radio: ESPN Radio Syracuse | www.espncny.com
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
The Crunch earned a 3-0 shutout over the Utica Comets Friday at Upstate Medical University Arena. They have earned two shutout wins in two home games this season.
 
Lucas Mercuri opened the scoring in the second period. Boris Katchouk put a puck on net and Mercuri muscled home a rebound to make it 1-0 at 4:02. 
 
Syracuse stretched the lead in the third period with a power-play goal from Jakob Pelletier at 5:50. Katchouk sealed the deal with an empty-net tally late in the third.
 
Brandon Halverson stopped 19 shots for his second shutout — and third win — of the season.
 
TORONTO REUNION
 
The Crunch arrive in Toronto with four former Marlies on their roster. Nick Abruzzese (2022-25), Tommy Miller (2022-25), Matteo Pietroniro (2021-25) and Scott Sabourin (2020-21) all spent a portion of their careers with the Marlies. 
 
Abruzzese, who just recorded his 100^th career AHL assist last week, ranks 12^th in Marlies history with 143 points (47g, 96a) in 211 games. He, Miller and Pietroniro helped the Marlies capture a division title in 2022-23.
 
Assistant coach AJ MacLean also spent time with the Marlies. He helped the club capture the Calder Cup in 2018, and he spent eight seasons with the Marlies. 
 
KEEPING IT CLEAN
 
In their 3-0 win over the Utica Comets on Friday, the Crunch weren't dinged for a single penalty. It marked only the second game in franchise history they posted zero penalty minutes. The other instance was Nov. 19, 2000 vs. the Springfield Falcons. 
 
Syracuse is averaging 13.00 penalty minutes per game, but the team has only committed 21 minor penalties in six games. The Crunch have been shorthanded 17 times, but six instances came in one game (Oct. 22 at Rochester).
 
SABOURIN CLEARED FOR NHL DUTY
 
Forward Scott Sabourin was recalled prior to the Tampa Bay Lightning prior to their game last night in Nashville. It served as the final game of his four-game NHL suspension that resulted from a preseason game against the Florida Panthers. 
 
Sabourin was assigned back to the Crunch today. He has two points (1g, 1a) in five Crunch games this season. He missed one AHL game while on recall in the NHL to serve his suspension.
 
SCOUTING THE MARLIES
 
The Marlies went 0-1-0-1 in two home games against Belleville last week. The result of the AHL's Battle of Ontario left the Marlies with a 3-2-0-1 record this season. Following tonight's home game, the Marlies will play eight straight on the road; their next home game is Nov. 22.
 
Jacob Quillan leads the Marlies in scoring with six points (1g, 5a) in six games. As a rookie last season he finished with 18 goals and 37 points in 67 games. Rookie Borya Valis leads the Marlies and ranks fourth in the league with four goals. 
 
Dennis Hildeby is 2-0-1 with a 1.92 goals-against average and a .926 save percentage in three starts.
 
CHAFFEE ASSIGNED TO SYRACUSE
 
The Lightning assigned Mitchell Chaffee to the Crunch yesterday after the forward cleared NHL waivers. It's the first time Chaffee is on an AHL roster since splitting time with Syracuse and Tampa Bay in 2023-24.
 
The Rockford, Michigan native has skated in seven games for the Lightning this season. He appeared in 66 games for the Bolts last season, adding 12 goals and 18 points. In his first stint with the Crunch in 2023-24, the winger tallied 12 goals and 26 points in 36 games before becoming a regular with the Lightning in February of that season.