The Syracuse Crunch started their three-in-three weekend with a 2-1 win over the Utica Comets on Friday night. Second period goals from Joe Carroll (his 11th) and Declan Carlile (his 6th) provided all of the offense Matt Tomkins needed for the win. Tomkins picked up his 11th win of the season with 24 saves on 25 shots.
It was a nice bounce back performance for the veteran netminder who surrendered six goals against Belleville his last time on the ice. The Crunch are home tonight against the Senators (Hugo Alnefelt will likely be in net) and then finish off the weekend at home against Utica on Sunday.
Without Cole Koepke, who is with the Lightning, or Alex Barré-Boulet, who hasn’t arrived with the team yet, the Crunch were missing some key offensive players. A staunch defense and solid penalty kill (2-for-2) helped Tomkins pick up the win.
Joe Carroll (Gabriel Fortier, Declan Carlile) Power Play
Declan Carlile (Philippe Myers, Ilya Usau)
Other Hockey News:
Alex Barré-Boulet cleared waivers [Elliotte Friedman’s Twitter]
ABB is on the way to Syracuse after he cleared waivers Friday afternoon. With two of their top scorers (Chaffee and Koepke) in Tampa, the Crunch will need his expertise in AHL offense.
Crunch sign Austin Magera to PTO [Syracuse Crunch]
With three games in three days the Crunch added to their forward depth as they signed Austin Magera to a PTO. The center has been plying his trade in the ECHL with the South Carolina Stingrays this season and has put up 54 points (21 goals, 33 assists) in 52 games in his first full professional season.
You can count out the Lightning, but no tear down needed [The Hockey News]
Ken Campbell is counting the Lightning out for this season. However, that doesn’t mean it’s time to hold a fire sale on their players.
Steve Griggs adds Vice Chairman title to his role as CEO [The Tampa Bay Lightning]
One of Mr. Vinik’s trusted associates in the organization, Griggs has been with the team since 2010 and has served as the CEO since 2015. The Hockey News had him ranked 71st in their annual 100 People of Power and Influence in Hockey.
The comeback has begun. Mikhail Sergachev is on his feet as he works his way back from a broken leg.
Coyotes seek to terminate Adam Ruzicka’s contract after social media video surfaces [AP News]
A video of Coyotes’ forward Adam Ruzicka with a line of white powder next to a credit card surfaced on social media yesterday leading the team to put him on waivers for the purpose terminating his contract. Ruzicka has played three games without a point for Arizona after they claimed him on waivers last month from the Calgary Flames.
Five under-the-radar additions to watch [Daily Faceoff]
Arthur Kaliyev just seems like the type of player Julien BriseBois likes to target at the deadline. A young forward with skills and years of control left before becoming an unrestricted free agent. Could he add some offensive punch to the Lighting’s third or fourth line?
NHL Deadline Buzz [ESPN]
Emily Kaplan has heard that the Bolts are in the market for a forward along with their obvious need for defense.
