As Blog Auntie Alex pointed out on her latest Syracuse Speaks podcast, Crunch fans are a bit perplexed at not having to wait a month or so for the Groulx Effect to kick in for their team. Under coach Ben Groulx it seemed that Syracuse would need about 10-15 games to figure things out before going on a run that would rocket them up the standings.
This year, under new coach Joel Bouchard, the Crunch have the second-best points percentage in the North Division at .688 with a 5-2-2 record. Special teams have been a big help as they have the league’s third best power play at 27% and the third best penalty kill at 90.6%. They’ve scored 33 goals overall and only allowed 20 through 9 games, pretty solid numbers for a team adjusting to a new coaching staff.
The offense has been led by Felix Robert, who has 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) and Gage Goncalves (1 goal, 7 assists). Pytor Kochetkov has been solid on loan from Carolina with 3 wins, a 1.63 GAA, and .932 SV%. His services are needed in the NHL right now leaving the Crunch in the hands of Hugo Alnefelt, who is 2-1 with a 2.45 GAA and .900 SV%. Evan Fitzpatick is currently injured so they have signed Brandon Halverson to a PTO.
They take on the Belleville Senators tonight at 7:00 PM and then go on a run against North Division teams before heading into a ton of games against divisional foes. That stretch will go a long way to deciding on if this start is a one-off, or an indication of how this team will play over the course of the season.
Lightning / NHL News
Lightning win to end road trip [Raw Charge]
Kucherov hit the 750 point mark and Tomkins won his first NHL game. The Bolts also chased the starting goaltender for the third second time in two nights. Only difference is that they won this one.
Conor Sheary leaves game with upper-body injury [Daily Faceoff]
The veteran forward played just 34 seconds on Tuesdy night before leaving. It’s been a rough start for some of JBB’s free agent signings. Logan Brown has yet to suit up, Tyler Motte missed a few games, and now Sheary.
Tomkins long journey to the NHL [The Athletic]
It wasn’t just a long journey physically, but also mentally.
Roman Schmidt re-assigned to Kitchener Rangers [Syracuse Crunch]
The defenseman, who started the season with an injury, appeared in one game with the Crunch. As a 20-year-old he is eligible to still play in junior hockey.
The past is the future as hockey return to the antenna [For Hockey Fans]
Arizona hockey fans are living in the past after Bally Sports dropped their coverage of Coyotes’ games. The team and Scripps Sports announced that games would be broadcast over Antenna TV and COX. For $20 bucks fans could have access to all of the games, depending on weather.
Jack Campbell placed on waivers [Edmonton Journal]
Edmonton made their first move to figure out their problems as they put goaltender Jack Campbell on waivers just 16 months after signing him to a five-year extension.
How NHL Edge tracking data made it to fans [ESPN]
Folks are still trying to figure out how to process the player tracking data, but it is fun to look at.
