Game Notes: 1/05/08 v. Grand Rapids Griffins
Crunch Edged by Griffins
Syracuse NY (January 5, 2008) - The Syracuse Crunch have reached the halfway point of the 2008 schedule and were looking to turn the corner on a prosperus second half but the Grand Rapids Griffins put a hold on the Crunch plans, skating away with a hard fought 2-1 win Saturday at the Onondaga County War Memorial.
Syracuse sits in third place in the North Division and is being chased by Grand Rapids. Syracuse holds a three point lead over the Griffins with 38 points to Grand Rapids 35.
The only goal for Syracuse came early as Derek MacKenzie and Adam Pineault broke into the Grand Rapids zone 2-on-1. Pineault worked a give-and-go with MacKenzie and with a Griffin draped all over him, Pineault managed to get his stick on the return pass by MacKenzie and slide the puck past goalie Jimmy Howard. Howard had 31 saves in the game.
Karl Goehring had his hands full as the Griffins put 16 shots on the Syracuse goalie in the first period. Goehring made 35 saves in the game but the first one he missed allowed the Griffins to knot the score at 1-1.
Grand Rapids tied the score with a shorthanded goal by Ryan Oulahben at the 15:46 mark of the first.
Syracuse NY (January 5, 2008) - The Syracuse Crunch have reached the halfway point of the 2008 schedule and were looking to turn the corner on a prosperus second half but the Grand Rapids Griffins put a hold on the Crunch plans, skating away with a hard fought 2-1 win Saturday at the Onondaga County War Memorial.
Syracuse sits in third place in the North Division and is being chased by Grand Rapids. Syracuse holds a three point lead over the Griffins with 38 points to Grand Rapids 35.
The only goal for Syracuse came early as Derek MacKenzie and Adam Pineault broke into the Grand Rapids zone 2-on-1. Pineault worked a give-and-go with MacKenzie and with a Griffin draped all over him, Pineault managed to get his stick on the return pass by MacKenzie and slide the puck past goalie Jimmy Howard. Howard had 31 saves in the game.
Karl Goehring had his hands full as the Griffins put 16 shots on the Syracuse goalie in the first period. Goehring made 35 saves in the game but the first one he missed allowed the Griffins to knot the score at 1-1.
Grand Rapids tied the score with a shorthanded goal by Ryan Oulahben at the 15:46 mark of the first.
Mattias Ritola added the game winner at 12:49 of the second period just after he left the penalty box.
Syracuse had its chances in the third pouring 14 shots on Howard, but the Syracuse native was equal to the challenge.
3 Stars--No. 1, Howard, No. 2, Goehring, No. 3, Oulahen
Mark Hartigan made his return to the War Memorial as a member of the Griffins. Hartigan, who holds Syracuse records for most goals scored and most game-winning goals visited with several fans before the game.
Syracuse had its chances in the third pouring 14 shots on Howard, but the Syracuse native was equal to the challenge.
3 Stars--No. 1, Howard, No. 2, Goehring, No. 3, Oulahen
Mark Hartigan made his return to the War Memorial as a member of the Griffins. Hartigan, who holds Syracuse records for most goals scored and most game-winning goals visited with several fans before the game.