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Game Notes: 12/29/07 v. Manitoba Moose
Crunch Hunt Down Moose
Syracuse, NY (December 29, 2007) - The Syracuse Crunch New Year's resolution, continue to climb up the North Division standings. They made a big stride in the that direction Saturday at the Onondaga County War Memorial with a 3-2 win over the Manitoba Moose.
Syracuse, NY (December 29, 2007) - The Syracuse Crunch New Year's resolution, continue to climb up the North Division standings. They made a big stride in the that direction Saturday at the Onondaga County War Memorial with a 3-2 win over the Manitoba Moose.
Syracuse now has 35 points and pulled to within two points of the second place Moose. It was all about the special team's play that led the Crunch to the win.
Derick Brassard made his return to the lineup after missing 19 games with a broken jaw. It didn't take long to feel Brassard's presence as he assisted on the first Syracuse goal by Tom Sestio on the power play early in the first period.
Derek MacKenzie started a 2-on-1 break while the Crunch were shorthanded with Adam Pineault finishing the play at the four-minute mark of the first that gave Syracuse a 2-0 lead.
Manitoba ruined goalie Craig Kowalski's bid for a shutout with a 4-on-4 goal at 15:32 of the second, but with Syracuse on the power play Brassard found captain Zenon Konopka on the Manitoba doorstep two minutes later as Konopka buried the game-winner.
Kowalski made 29 saves for his first win with the Crunch. Manitoba made the ending interesting when Michael Grabner found the back of the Syracuse net with less than three-minutes left in the third.
3-stars--No. 1, Kowalski, No. 2, Sestito, No. 3, Dan Smith
They said it--
"We have faith in our goalies. Kowalski stepped in and we played hard for him. Before Christmas we were giving up more goals then we wanted. Tonight Kowalski made some key saves. He made four or five saves that he that he wasn't even supposed to make." Dan Smith on Kowalski's play.
"The timing of Brassard's return couldn't have been any better. He has such patience and that's why he's such a high draft pick. To have that kind of poise coming into the league is what makes him a great player. It's great to have him back and I'm excited that we are starting to get some pieces back with (David) Cullen's return soon will be a real big boost to our blueline. Were starting to go in the right direction." Syracuse Captain Zenon Konopka.
"The first period was tough for me. My legs were hurting. After that I just tried to play like I played before. I took a bad penalty and I was just mad...I went on the ice after and I find him in the slot." Derick Brassard on his game.
"It didn't hurt that we jumped out to a 2-0 lead. That was a big confidence booster. We played well. Guys were blocking shots. We played a smart game and thank God we held them off at the end. It's been a long time since I had a win in this league and it was nice to get it." Syracuse goalie Craig Kowalski on the win over the Moose.