Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse loses a tight one.

NOR-2
SYR-1

Kristers Gudlevskis allowed 2 goals on 24 shots for the loss. It's his first AHL loss and it comes in his 7th AHL decision.

First Period
NOR Rakell, (8) (Blacker, Gagne), 15:14 (PP)

Second Period
SYR Neilson, (1) (Langelier-Parent, Korobov), 4:47

Third Period
NOR Blacker, (4) (Friberg, Yonkman), 11:48

Eric Neilson was the game's second star.

There are no moral victories in professional sports, but it's interesting to note that as depleted as Syracuse is they played pretty much even with a decent Norfolk team. That speaks to the character and coaching of the team, in my opinion. Syracuse faces St. John's next on Tuesday.

Box score from TheAHL.com.

By Jeremy Houghtaling

The Norfolk Admirals took advantage of a penalty-filled game with a pair of power play goals, as they topped the Syracuse Crunch in a shootout, 4-3, at the Onondaga County War Memorial Friday.

The Admirals began their rally in the second period amidst multiple post-whistle altercations, five misconducts and a combined 106 penalty minutes.

"Having those guys in the box for 10 minutes really hurt us at the end of the second and beginning of the third," said Syracuse coach Rob Zettler. "It hurt our energy. They are some of our best players sitting in the box for 10 or 12 minutes, so that hurt."

Crunch fail to protect an early 3 goal lead.

NOR-4
SYR-3 (SO)

Cedrick Desjardins allowed 3 goals on 24 shots before allowing 2 of 4 to convert in the penalty shot session for the shootout loss.

First Period
SYR Olson, (1) (Paquette), 3:23
SYR Angelidis, (1) (Paquette), 14:56

Second Period
SYR Connolly, (1) (Witkowski, Korobov), 7:13
NOR Rakell, (7) (Sarault, Gagne), 9:52 (PP)

Third Period
NOR Whitney, (7) (Wagner, Gagne), 2:21 (PP)
NOR Painchaud, (1) (Rakell, Exelby), 6:19

Overtime
NO SCORING

Shootout
NOR- Rakell, Sarault
SYR- Connolly

Drew Olson was the game's second star.

It's awesome that, depleted as they are, Syracuse managed to build an early 3 goal lead. That's what it's equally as heartbreaking they couldn't hold on to get the 2 points. Cedric Paquette (Dump Truck!) continued his strong play and now has 2 goals and 5 points in the last 3 games. Brett Connolly also has a modest 3 game point streak now with 1 goal and 3 points over that span. It's fairly shocking that tonight's goal was just the first of Connolly's AHL season, but you hope that opens the flood gates for him moving forward. He did wash down his regulation goal with a conversion on his shootout attempt, so that's a positive sign, too.

These two teams square off again tomorrow. As it stands, Syracuse is 1 point behind Norfolk for the 8th and final playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

Box score from TheAHL.com.

By Jeremy Houghtaling

Dmitry Korobov got the call he had been waiting for -- from teammate Vlad Namestnikov.

Korobov, the hard-hitting Belarusian on the Syracuse Crunch blueline, was having phone troubles, so the message from Crunch coach Rob Zettler about Korobov's first National Hockey League call-up arrived through Namestnikov.

"I was a little shocked, happy, and nervous at the same time," Korobov said through Namestnikov, who helped translate. "Mostly happy."

After playing one game with the Tampa Bay Lightning, being sent back to the Crunch, and making the round trip again, Korobov got a taste of what he came to North America for. Now he’s working to earn more of those calls -- no matter who they’re from -- and eventually a permanent role in the NHL.

By Jeremy Houghtaling

For Rob Zettler, it all comes down to being in the right position.

With the offensive lines lacking their normal scoring punch, the Syracuse Crunch coach knows the margin for error is slim. But his defense has keyed in on limiting the opposition’s offensive opportunities, and Syracuse grinded out wins last weekend by holding St. John’s to a pair of goals Friday and shutting out Adirondack Saturday.

"We really limited both teams' chances because we were in good position," said Crunch coach Rob Zettler. "We didn't have the high-end skill we've had in the past, but we made up for it in position and hard work."