Latest Stats for the Syracuse Crunch:
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Regular season record (wins-losses-OT losses-SO losses): 16-14-5-1
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This past week’s results: A 6-4 regulation loss at Albany (1/8); a 4-2 victory over Hershey (1/9); a 2-1 victory at Rochester (1/10)
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Place in Eastern Conference: 8th
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Place in North Division: 4th
- Top scorer: Jeff Tambellini (16-10-26)
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Top scoring defenseman: Matt Taormina (7-13-20)
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Top defenseman, +/-: Matt Taormina (+5)
- Top scoring rookie: Matthew Peca (4-16-20)
A rundown of the AHL’s new standings system can be found over at Syracuse.com.
That’s a wrap!
This week’s observation:
This team needs to start talking to each other on the ice. One of the things that was noted from this past weekend was that Jonathan Drouin, who saw his first AHL action since last season’s conditioning stint, had no problem stepping onto the ice and immediately assuming a leadership role. He spent a lot of time communicating with his new teammates, and it made the team better as a whole. It also probably assisted him with getting used to playing with new people.
Very few players appear to talk during the games, and those that do are mostly defensemen – Luke Witkowski and Matt Taormina, for instance, spend a lot of time communicating. Tanner Richard also does a fair amount of talking. But very few other players seem interested in communicating with their teammates while on the ice.
One of the Crunch’s bigger problems last season was this very thing. It’s frustrating to see it becoming a problem again. This team is better when its members are communicating with each other. It needs to be happening more, and leaders like captain Mike Angelidis need to be modeling for those who are reluctant to start speaking up.
This week’s compliment(s):
Three Syracuse Crunch players got noticed for all the right reasons this past week:
- Angelidis was named one of the playing captains for the 2016 Toyota AHL All-Star Classic, which will take place in Syracuse at the end of January. From the official release: “Captains for the American Hockey League All-Star teams are selected by the league president in recognition of their outstanding leadership and service.” Angelidis is in his fourth season with the Crunch, and has been the team’s captain for all of those four seasons. He also served as captain in Norfolk with the Lightning organization, and as an alternate captain in Albany under the Carolina organization. He has played in 608 total AHL regular season games.
- Taormina was named as one of the player representatives for Syracuse to the AHL All-Star Classic. Taormina, who is on his second stint with the Lightning organization after being traded in 2014, has skated in 29 contests with Syracuse this season, tallying 20 points. He is ranked first among Crunch defenseman in points. This will be Taormina’s second consecutive AHL All-Star Classic; he represented the Worcester Sharks last season.
- Goalie Kristers Gudlevskis was also picked to represent Syracuse at the Classic. Gudlevskis, who turned in a stellar performance this past Sunday at Rochester, has appeared in 14 games with the Crunch this season, recording a 2.48 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage.
Other transactions, player, and organizational news:
-Drouin ended the weekend with two goals (both scored Friday night) in three games played.
-The Crunch are again participating in a Change for Change initiative this season, and are hoping to raise even more than last season with an extended campaign. Change for Change is an initiative created by Crunch Captain Mike Angelidis and his teammates that aims to raise money for pediatric cancer research at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and help improve the odds for children with cancer. All TampaCuse fans can help out by donating through their Go Fund Me page.
-The AHL All-Star Classic is coming up quick. Tickets are still available. Here’s a complete list of the players headed to Syracuse for the weekend.
-Forward Brian Hart was reassigned to the Syracuse Crunch by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Syracuse Crunch media highlights:
- The Crunch’s SoundCloud has been updated with broadcasts and player interviews from the past week.
- A rundown of the Crunch’s promotional schedule so far can be found on their website.
- Be sure to use the hashtags #SyrCrunch, #BelieveInBlue, and #TampaCuse when tweeting about the team.
- Video highlights from the Crunch’s win over Hershey from Saturday, January 9th:
