Crunch Extend Winning Streak in Rockford
Syracuse, NY, (Saturday, November 1, 2008)
Rockford, IL (November 1, 2008) – The Syracuse Crunch defeated the Rockford Ice Hogs by a 3-2 count tonight in front of 4,551 fans at the MetroCentre. The win extended the club’s winning streak to a season-high four games and increased its record to 7-1-0-0, the best start in franchise history.
The Crunch came out looking to get on the board early and did just that 2:46 into the opening frame. Jonathan Sigalet came down the right side and took a sharp-angle shot on goal. Tom Sestito barreled his way to the front of the net, found the rebound and swatted a backhand past Rockford starter Antii Niemi for the 1-0 advantage.
Good penalty killing from Rockford held Syracuse from extending its lead, as the Crunch went 0-for-3 on the power play, including a 5-on-3 for 1:03 near the end of the first.
Rockford’s momentum carried over into the second period and Evan Brophey tied the game at 2-2 nine and a half minutes in. Brophey snuck behind the defense, skated in and beat Crunch starter Steve Mason low to the glove side.
The Ice Hogs took a 2-1 lead on the power play just under four minutes later. Niklas Hjalmarsson sent a slapper from the right point that found its way through a screened Mason to put Rockford ahead.
The score stayed that way until late in the third period. The Crunch took over the game late, as Sigalet scored twice in a 4:14 span, including the game-winner with 1:09 remaining in regulation.
Sigalet made it 2-2 with a shorthanded goal at the 14:37 mark when he was left all alone in front of the Rockford net, took a feed from Mike York and beat Niemi to the blocker side.
Sigalet put the Crunch ahead for good at the 18:51 mark when he streaked in down the left wing and sniped a wrister to the top corner from a sharp angle over the shoulder of Niemi.
Mason made a point-blank save in the final minute to seal the win. He stopped 22 of 24 shots on the night to earn his second straight victory.
CRUNCHABLES: Jonathan Sigalet now has seven points (3g, 4a) over his last four games…Sigalet extended his point-scoring streak to four games tonight…Two defensemen (Sigalet, Wilson) currently lead the Crunch in scoring with eight points each…Nikita Filatov was held scoreless for the first time in four career AHL games tonight…Sigalet’s first goal was the Crunch’s first of the shorthanded variety this season…The Crunch were tied for second in the AHL last season with 19 shorthanded goals.
Photo Credit: Greg Hamil
Photo Credit: Greg Hamil