CRUNCH FACE OFF AGAINST MARLIES
 
The Syracuse Crunch wrap up their three-game homestand this afternoon against the Toronto Marlies at Upstate Medical University Arena.
 
It's the final match of the four-game season series. Toronto has won two of the previous three meetings and bested the Crunch, 5-1, on March 11 in Syracuse.
 
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
 
Lucas Mercuri's second-career two-goal game led the Crunch to a decisive, 5-1 victory over the Utica Comets last night at Upstate Medical University Arena.
 
The Comets drew first blood 4:53 into the game but never scored again. Nick Abruzzese tied it with a power-play goal at 15:05, and Mercuri scored 2:14 later to give the Crunch a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes.

Mercuri capitalized on the power play for his second tally of the night 2:45 into period two. Gabriel Szturc then gave Syracuse a three-goal advantage with under three minutes left in the middle frame.
 
Noah Steen deflected in a Matteo Pietroniro shot for his first AHL goal midway through the third to put an exclamation point on the victory.
 
PELLETIER STANDS ALONE
 
Jakob Pelletier registered an assist in the first period last night to extend his point streak to a franchise-record 19 games. He breaks Mark Hartigan's 18-game record that had stood since 2006. The last AHL point streak of at least 20 games was in 2006-07 (Darren Haydar [39 games] and Jason Krog [26 games]).
 
Pelletier leads the race for the John B. Sollenberger Trophy, awarded to the AHL's points leader during the regular season. He has a six-point edge on Colorado's Alex Barré-Boulet, and both players have three games remaining. The only Crunch player to win the scoring title is Carter Verhaeghe in 2018-19.
 
MERCS BREAKS THROUGH
 
Lucas Mercuri netted a pair of goals last night, including the game-winner, to snap a 13-game goal drought. He hadn't scored since notching the overtime winner on March 6 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He has three game-winning goals this season.
 
Last night was Mercuri's second-career two-goal game (Feb. 20 vs. Charlotte). The 24-year-old leads all Crunch rookies in goals (14) and points (26).
 
SCOUTING THE MARLIES
 
Toronto has hit a rough patch, registering just one victory in its last six contests. The Marlies were idle yesterday but lost, 6-3, in Utica on Friday night. They rank fourth in the North Division standings — two points behind third-place Cleveland.
 
The Marlies have had five players recalled to the NHL this week, however their top scorers — Logan Shaw, Bo Groulx and Alex Nylander — are on the roster. Nylander has scored in all three games against the Crunch this season and racked up four points (2g, 2a) in the most recent meeting on March 11.
 
Dennis Hildeby (8-8-5/2.78/.893) is 1-4-0 in his last five starts since March 22. He made 30 saves in Toronto's win against the Crunch on March 11. 
 
STEEN POTS FIRST GOAL
 
Forward Noah Steen scored his first AHL goal last night against the Comets. The strike came in his third career AHL appearance, and he added a fight to his ledger at the end of the game.
 
The 21-year-old was selected by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the seventh round, 199th overall, in the 2024 NHL Draft. He spent this season with Orebro HK in Sweden, adding 22 points (12g, 10a) in 52 games. He signed a PTO with the Crunch on March 31 and made his North American pro debut on April 3.