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Game Notes: 1/13/08 v. Albany River Rats
Crunch Run Streak Versus Rats to Four
Syracuse, NY (January 13, 2008) - Alexandre Picard hasn't been able to put the puck in the net a whole lot so far this season, but he was able to bury his own rebound with 11 minutes left in the third period to give the Crunch the go-ahead tally That goal helped the Syracuse Crunch earn a hard fought 2-1 win over the Albany River Rats Sunday at the Onondaga County War Memorial.
Syracuse, NY (January 13, 2008) - Alexandre Picard hasn't been able to put the puck in the net a whole lot so far this season, but he was able to bury his own rebound with 11 minutes left in the third period to give the Crunch the go-ahead tally That goal helped the Syracuse Crunch earn a hard fought 2-1 win over the Albany River Rats Sunday at the Onondaga County War Memorial.
Gilbert Brule feathered a pass to Clay Wilson streaking down the left wing. Wilson then delivered a strike to Picard. Albany goalie John Grahame made the first stop but Picard walked around Rats defenseman Brett Carson who had slipped to one knee and fired the rebound past an out-of-position Grahame.
Syracuse has had its way with the River Rats for the most part this season, winning four of the five meetings. The frustration reached a boiling point early and the fight card was full. Jon Mirasty and Joel Rechlicz, Derek Dorsett and Nicolas Blanchard and Jeffery Szwez and Joey Mormina all battled before the game was two minutes old. Tom Sestito and Tim Conboy added their names to the dance card as the pair waltzed around the Albany zone five minutes later.
Steven Goertzen was able to catch Grahame napping as the first period drew to a close. A pass intended for Picard instead went through Grahame's pads with just eight seconds left in the period.
Picard and Pat Dwyer closed out the period and the night's fight card with a battle at center ice with two seconds remaining.
Albany tied the game at 1-1 in the second period when the Rats were buzzing around the Syracuse net five minutes into the frame. Brandon Nolan found the back of the Crunch net through a flurry of legs, sticks and arms.
Adam Munro made a successful return to the Syracuse starting lineup making 32 saves, while the Crunch kept Grahame busy at the other end pouring 40 shots on goal including 18 in the second period and 16 in the third.
3 Stars--No. 1, Picard, No. 2, Munro, No. 3, Grahame.