CRUNCH TUSSLE WITH COMETS
 
The Syracuse Crunch host the Utica Comets tonight at Upstate Medical University Arena in their final game of November.
 
It's the second match in four days between the clubs, and it's the fifth game of the 12-game season series. Syracuse holds a 4-0-0-0 head-to-head record versus Utica this season.
 
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 lost a heartbreaker, 4-3, to the Rochester Americans last night at Blue Cross Arena.
 
Isak Rosen struck first for the Amerks in the first period, but goals by Wojciech Stachowiak and Jakob Pelletier in the second frame gave Syracuse a 2-1 lead. Those tallies were answered by Rochester late in the middle period, and the clubs went into the third period tied at two.
 
Pelletier broke the tie at 10:29 of the third period to make it 3-2 Crunch. That held until under four minutes left to play when the Amerks tied the game on a redirect in the low slot. They then scored the game-winning goal with 13.5 seconds remaining to earn a regulation win over the Crunch.
 
HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER
 
Tonight is the Crunch's annual Hockey Fights Cancer™ Night benefiting Upstate Cancer Center.
 
The Crunch will support the Hockey Fights Cancer™ initiative by wearing lavender specialty jerseys during the game that will be auctioned off on the ice to raise money for the Upstate Cancer Center. The live auction will take place immediately following the game.
 
SCOUTING THE COMETS
 
The Comets play their second straight game against the Crunch tonight. Utica suffered a 5-3 loss at home on Wednesday and had the night off yesterday. The Comets are 2-11-2-1 this season and rank last in the AHL with seven points. They are winless in six road games this season (0-5-1-0), including a pair of losses in Syracuse.
 
Utica has scored three goals in each of its last two games. The Comets have scored at least three goals in six games this season, going 2-3-0-1 in those contests. They rank 31st in the AHL with 1.81 goals for per game.
 
Nico Daws has started six straight games in net for Utica. He is 0-4-2 with a 3.60 goals-against average and a .866 save percentage in that span, giving him a 2-6-2 mark this season.
 
PELLETIER CLIMBING THE RANKS
 
Crunch forward Jakob Pelletier recorded his second multi-goal game of the season last night in Rochester. It extended his scoring streak to five straight games, which comes on the heels of a three-game pointless spell. 
 
Pelletier has three straight multi-point games with seven points (3g, 4a) in that span. The 24-year-old is now tied for second in the AHL in scoring with 22 points. He leads the Crunch in goals (8), assists (14) and points.
 
MILLER MAKING HIS MARK
 
Defenseman Tommy Miller has stepped up for the Crunch in the wake of the club's numerous recalls to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Syracuse has seen recalls of Steven Santini, Declan Carlile, Max Groshev and Simon Lundmark over the last two week.
 
Since Santini and Carlile were summoned to the Lightning on Nov. 17, Miller has picked up points in three of four games. He has played to a plus-6 rating, which tied for the best on the team in that span. The 26-year-old recorded his third career multi-point game last night; it was his first since March 1, 2023. Miller has skated in 16 games this season, tallying two goals and six points.