CRUNCH LOOK TO SNAP SKID AGAINST COMETS
 
The Syracuse Crunch play the Utica Comets for the final time this season tonight at Upstate Medical University Arena. Syracuse is winless in its last four games (0-2-0-2).
 
It's the final contest of the 12-game season series between the North Division rivals. The Crunch are 8-3-0-0 against the Comets and grabbed a 4-1 victory in the most recent meeting on March 10 in Utica. The Crunch have won all five home games against the Comets.
 
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
 
Syracuse lost, 3-2, to Rochester on Wednesday night in a tight-checking affair at Upstate Medical University Arena.
 
The teams traded goals in each of the first two periods. Matthew Peca scored less than four minutes into the game, but the Amerks responded with a power-play strike five minutes later.
Rochester took its first lead 7:52 into the second, but Jarred Tinordi squared the game at two just past the halfway point of regulation. It marked Tinordi's first goal in 32 games.
 
The Crunch outshot the Amerks in the third, 8-4, but the visitors broke through with the game-winner with 8:19 to play.
 
LEADING SCORER REJOINS CRUNCH
 
The Crunch's leading scorer Jakob Pelletier has been returned to the Crunch following a two-game stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Pelletier missed Wednesday's Crunch game but dressed for the Bolts in road contests at Ottawa and Montreal during the week. 
 
Pelletier has collected a point in 18 straight Crunch games, tied with Mark Hartigan for the franchise record (Dec. 14, 2005-Feb. 2, 2006). It is also the longest streak in the AHL since Paul Carey's 19-game run for the Hershey Bears during the 2016-17 season.
 
Syracuse is 2-5-0-0 in seven games without Pelletier in the lineup. The Crunch have scored 17 goals in those seven games, but 11 have come in the two wins.
 
A TALLY FOR TINORDI
 
In his 500th AHL game on Wednesday night, Jarred Tinordi tied the game at two with a wrist shot from the right circle in the second period. The 34-year-old hadn't scored since Jan. 3 — the night he recorded a Gordie Howe hat trick against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
 
Tinordi has eight points (2g, 6a) and a plus-8 rating in 41 games played this season. This is the first time since the 2018-19 season that he has more than one AHL goal. Tinordi has 109 career points (24g, 85a) and 678 penalty minutes in 500 AHL games.
 
SCOUTING THE COMETS
 
Utica enters tonight's game six points behind Rochester for the final playoff spot in the North Division. The Comets have recorded a point in seven consecutive matches (5-0-1-1) since March 25. They skated past the Marlies last night, 6-3, at home.
 
Defenseman Calen Addison has been on fire recently. His 23 assists lead the club, and he's been on the scoresheet in seven of his last eight games. He registered two points (1g, 1a) last night against Toronto and sits at 99 career AHL assists in 200 AHL games.
 
Rookie Jakub Málek (12-13-3/2.77/.893) stopped 19 of 22 to earn the victory last night for the Comets. He has only started games on back-to-back days once (Oct. 24-25).
 
SPECIALTY JERSEYS
 
The Crunch will wear special First Responders jerseys for tonight's game. Select jerseys will be available in a live auction on the ice following the game.