CRUNCH LOOK TO SNAP SKID

The Syracuse Crunch try to end a three-game losing streak tonight when they host the Toronto Marlies at Upstate Medical University Arena.
 
It's the first game of the six game season series between the teams. Last season, the Marlies won three of four head-to-head meetings before going on to win the Calder Cup.
 
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 were shut out, 5-0, by the Laval Rocket Wednesday at Upstate Medical University Arena. It was the first time this season in which the Crunch were blanked.
 
The game was scoreless after the first period, despite a 13-9 Crunch shots advantage. It was still deadlocked nearly halfway through the second period until the Rocket scored twice an 88-second span to go up 2-0.
 
Syracuse continued to press into the third period, but Laval rattled off three goals in two and a half minutes to pull away for a 5-0 lead.
 
The Crunch outshot the Rocket, 31-23, but fell to 1-3-0-0 against the Rocket this season. 
 
SCOUTING THE CRUNCH 

The Crunch are on their second losing streak of at least three games this season. They are 0-2-1-0 in their last three games, and they sit at 5-6-2-0 this season. Syracuse is in sixth place in the North Division with 12 points.
 
The Crunch have been a solid first period team. They have outscored opponents 13-10 in the first 20 minutes, and they have scored the first goal in six of their 13 games this season. Wednesday's game was the first in which neither the Crunch nor their opponent scored a goal in the first period.
 
SCOUTING THE MARLIES

The 2026 Calder Cup Champions duel the Crunch for the first time this season. The Marlies (7-4-3-0) are third in the North Division with 17 points and carry a three-game point streak (1-0-2-0) into tonight's game. This marks their first trip into the United States since their season opener in Rochester on Oct. 2. 
 
Last weekend, Toronto fell in back-to-back overtime losses Manitoba. Defenseman Noah Chadwick had three points over the weekend, and he has logged points in three consecutive games. He has six points (2g, 4a) in 12 games this season. 
 
Veteran Vinni Lettieri returns to the Marlies after a stint with the Maple Leafs. Lettieri led all scorers during the 2026 Calder Cup Playoffs with 26 points (11g, 15a) in 23 games. He has nine points (3g, 6a) in five Marlies appearances this season.
 
SHAKE IT OFF

The Crunch were shut out for the first time this season two nights ago against Laval. The Crunch were held without a goal twice last season. They followed both shutout losses with wins, scoring three goals on Jan. 10 vs. Laval and five goals on Jan. 16 vs. Utica. Syracuse is averaging 2.69 goals per game this season, which ranks 23rd in the AHL.
 
Wednesday was their first home shutout loss in the regular season since Feb. 28, 2025, vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
 
SPECIAL TEAMS 

Neither the Crunch nor their opponent has scored a power-play goal in the last two games. Syracuse ranks 16th in the league on the power play (17.9%) and 23rd on the penalty kill (78.2%).
 
Toronto hasn't scored a power-play goal in the last three games, but they still operate at 23.1%, which is fourth in the AHL.