Game Notes: 4/02/08 v. Binghamton Senators
Syracuse, N.Y. (April 2, 2008)— - We’re in, let the playoffs begin.
The Syracuse Crunch secured a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs with a 4-1 win over the Binghamton Senators Wednesday at the Onondaga County War Memorial.
The win, a franchise record ninth straight, was solidified by a pair of goals by the Russian scoring machine, Andrei Plekhanov, and a goal each from Mark Rycroft and newcomer Brian McGuirk. It was McGuirk’s first professional goal and it couldn’t have been any easier as he ripped it into an empty net with 1:57 remaining to seal the victory.
The win was also the 17th straight game Syracuse has earned at least one point, an AHL season-high. Syracuse has now earned a point in 23 out of its last 24 games.
Plekhanov opened the scoring 96 seconds into the game with a blast from the right point and then added an insurance goal on the power play with yet another cannon from the top of the left faceoff circle just over eight minutes into the third period.
Plekhanov has five goals in his last three games after scoring only three in his first 32 games.
Rycroft benefited from one of three assists from Derick Brassard. Brassard stole a pass from behind the B-Sens net and found Rycroft alone in the slot.
Lost in the excitement of the win was the outstanding play in net by Dan LaCosta. LaCosta picked up where he and Karl Goehring left off by stopping 16 shots in the first period and 33 of 34 shots overall.
3 Stars—No. 1, Plekhanov, No. 2, LaCosta, No. 3, Brassard.
They Said It -
“He’s (Plekhanov) been in and out of the lineup but he has so much upside and a ton of skill. We’re a team that has a different hero every night. When you win this many games you have to have guys step up. It was a lot of fun to clinch. Binghamton is a big rivalry and they needed points so it gave the game a bit of a playoff atmosphere. These are the kind of games we need to get accustomed to going into the playoffs.” Duvie Westcott on Plekhanov and clinching the playoffs.
“On his (Plekhanov’s) first goal it’s an example of how things have been clicking lately for the team. All our hard work is actually paying off. It was a rocket of a shot and it was awesome to watch. It’s all about his shot. It doesn’t matter where he is on the point, he’s deadly. He’s got that short backswing and quick release. It comes off pretty fast and goalies have no idea where it’s going.” Marc Methot’s thoughts on Plekhanov.
“It’s something we’ve strived for all season. It’s nice to say that we’re in it. It’s nice to have that sense of pride. Everyone stepped up tonight partly because (Zenon) Konopka wasn’t in the lineup. Guys worked that much harder. Everyone is stepping up to the occasion. The fans we have and this barn are awesome so we won’t quit until we catch Manitoba, we’ll be scoreboard watching for sure.” Methot on clinching a playoff spot.
“We’re hoping every day that I find the form I had when I was with Worcester.” Mark Rycroft on scoring his second goal with the Crunch.
“It’s not as much a relief (making the playoffs) as it is excitement to see if we can catch Manitoba. We have a confident bunch in the locker room and we don’t want to get satisfied. We don’t want to lose that edge, lose that chip (on our shoulder). We’re excited that we clinched but we’re going to stay hungry and never look back. We’ll keep looking ahead for something more, something greater.”
“The key to our winning is our defensive corps and our goaltending. When I first got traded here it was the one thing I was most excited about, the defense. I knew we had the basics in place to have a chance at something and so far it’s been a great experience.” – Rycroft on his Crunch experience up to this point.
“It was amazing. The guys stepped up again. Andrei (Plekhanov) was great, unbelievable. Just give him the puck and get out of the way. There are too many characters on this team to let anyone down (it’s just not going to happen).” Crunch captain Zenon Konopka from his hotel room in Detroit where he will play for the Blue Jackets Thursday.
He watched parts of the game on the B2 network and when the signal failed he was kept up-to-date with text messages from friends in the crowd. “I felt like I was there,” Konopka said.
“You want to play at the highest level but it’s a better atmosphere being down here right now. We know we’re going to the post-season and we’ve been winning so all-in-all it wasn’t that disappointing to come back.” Goalie Dan LaCosta on returning to Syracuse.
“The style we’ve been playing lately isn’t flashy but it’s getting the job done. In the end that’s the most important thing.” LaCosta on clinching a playoff spot.