CRUNCH OPEN POST-CHRISTMAS SET IN LAVAL
 
The Syracuse Crunch return from the Christmas Break with the first game of a two-game set against the Laval Rocket this afternoon at Place Bell.
 
The Crunch entered the break with wins in four of the final five games, and they are 2-1-0-0 in the first three games of a season-high six straight road contests. Syracuse won the first game of the eight-game season series against the Rocket on Nov. 19.
 
BROADCAST COVERAGE
 
Countdown to Crunch Time at 2:45 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 had their four-game winning streak snapped in a 3-1 loss to the Providence Bruins last Saturday at Amica Mutual Pavilion.
 
The Crunch were playing their third game in four nights in three different cities, while the Bruins were contesting their first game of the week. Providence hopped out to a quick 1-0 lead just over one minute into the game on a right circle shot from Georgii Merkulov.
 
Merkulov finished with a hat trick in the game. He scored the eventual game-winning goal in the second period and added an empty-net goal in the third.
 
The Crunch's lone goal was scored by Conor Geekie in the first period. It was his first non empty-net goal since Nov. 26. Ryan Fanti made 26 saves on 28 shots in the loss.
 
A WELL-WORN PATH
 
The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled forward Scott Sabourin and defenseman Steven Santini as both the Crunch and Lightning return from the holiday break with games today. The Bolts are in Sunrise to face off against the Panthers tonight.
 
Sabourin has skated in seven games this season for the Lightning, adding one goal and two assists. He has also appeared in 20 games for the Crunch, collecting eight points (6g, 2a) and a team-leading four game-winning goals.
 
Santini has dressed in eight Lightning games, earning one assist, and 18 Crunch games, adding five assists. He is in his first season as Crunch captain. Combined the two players have missed 18 Crunch games while on recall to the Lightning.
 
SCOUTING THE ROCKET
 
The Rocket slumped into the Christmas Break on their first three-game losing streak of the season. They scored three total goals in their three losses to Bridgeport and Cleveland. The Rocket (17-10-0-1) are tied with the Crunch atop the North Division with 35 points. They are trying to become the first team since Toronto (2011-14) to finish in first place in the North Division in at least two straight seasons.
 
Laurent Dauphin enters the weekend tied for second in the AHL with 31 points (10g, 21a). He has points in 12 straight games since Nov. 15, giving him the longest run in the AHL this season.
 
Rookie Jacob Fowler leads the Rocket with 10 wins (10-5-0/2.09/.919), but he is on recall to Montreal where he is off to a 3-1-1 start to his NHL career. Former Crunch goaltender Samuel Montembeault is with Laval on a condition assignment; he lost two starts for the Rocket last weekend.
 
A HOLIDAY TRADITION
 
This weekend will mark the fourth straight year that the Crunch and Rocket play a two-game set at Place Bell between Christmas and New Year's Eve.
 
The three previous sets have ended in sweeps. The Rocket won both games in 2022 and in 2023, but the Crunch earned two wins in last year's series. All six games have finished in regulation.
 
RACKING UP THE MILES
 
The Crunch continue a stretch of six straight road games, which is the longest of the season for the team. The games will take place in five different cities with the lone two-game stay in one city taking place in Laval this weekend.
 
The Crunch have opened the stretch with a 2-1-0-0 record. They are 10-7-1-0 on the road this season, making them one of four AHL teams with at least 10 road wins.
 
PELLETIER BACK WITH CRUNCH
 
The Crunch received their leading scorer back from the Tampa Bay Lightning immediately before the NHL's Christmas Break. Jakob Pelletier missed the final two games of the weekend for the Crunch last week while on recall. He did not appear in a game with the Bolts during this stint in Tampa Bay.
 
Pelletier leads the Crunch in scoring with 31 points (15g, 16a) and was named the AHL's Player of the Week two weeks ago. The Crunch are 1-3-0-0 when Pelletier is not in the lineup.