CRUNCH CARRY MOMENTUM INTO MARCH
The Syracuse Crunch conclude a four-game homestand against the Rochester Americans this afternoon at Upstate Medical University Arena.
It's game eight of the 12-game season series; the Amerks have won four of the first seven meetings, however, the Crunch grabbed a 3-2 shootout victory in the most recent match on Jan. 19 in Syracuse.
The Crunch play five of their final 20 games against the Amerks.
BROADCAST COVERAGE
Countdown to Crunch Time at 3:45 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
Dylan Duke scored twice and eleven different Crunch players recorded a point as Syracuse took down Laval, 6-4, last night at Upstate Medical University Arena. The Crunch are now 3-1-1-1 in the eight-game season series against the Rocket.
Three blistering wrist shots staked Syracuse out to a 3-1 lead after the first period. Duke opened the scoring at 3:25 and struck again at 11:49 for his team-leading 26th and 27th tallies of the season.
Mitchell Chaffee added the third goal of the first with 49 seconds remaining.
Laval connected 68 seconds into period two on the power play to make it 3-2, but
Brendan Furry restored the Crunch's two-goal advantage five minutes later on a shorthanded breakaway goal. An
Ethan Samson turnaround shot midway through the second put the Crunch up 5-2 after 40 minutes.
The Rocket scored twice and outshot the Crunch 17-3 in the third, but, thanks to an
Ethan Gauthier goal at 6:31, Syracuse never relinquished its two-goal advantage.
Brandon Halverson made 31 saves and has won six consecutive starts.
FEBRUARY IN REVIEW
The Crunch enjoyed their best month of the season in February, posting an 8-1-0-0 record in nine contests.
Syracuse outscored its opponents 37-18 last month and allowed just two goals per game on average.
Brandon Halverson recorded two shutouts and is tied for the AHL lead with five this season.
Dylan Duke notched seven goals and ended February on a seven-game point streak.
DUKE KEEPS DOMINATING
Dylan Duke scored his team-leading 26th and 27th goals of the campaign in last night's 6-4 win over Laval. He's now second in the AHL in goals, trailing only Belleville's Arthur Kaliyev (30).
Duke enters tonight's contest with points in seven straight games — his longest point streak this season. He racked up 12 points (7g, 5a) in February.
The University of Michigan product also leads the AHL with 16 power-play goals.
SCOUTING THE AMERICANS
Rochester sits in fifth place in the North Division standings with 56 points in 51 games. The Amerks have hit a rough patch, posting an 0-3-1-1 record in their last five games. They were battered by Laval, 9-3, at home on Friday.
Defenseman Zac Jones leads both the Amerks and all AHL defensemen in points (45). His 38 assists are tied for second overall in the league and trail only the Rocket's Laurent Dauphin (41).
Forward Isak Rosén is pacing Rochester in goals with 25 in 36 games played. He also averages 1.19 points per game — sixth-best among active AHL players.
Devon Levi (17-12-8/2.70/.908) has played more games (37) and minutes (2,177) than any goaltender in the league. He was pulled in Friday's 9-3 loss to Laval after allowing seven goals on 30 shots. Levi is 3-1-1 in five starts against the Crunch this season.
