Syracuse Crunch Weekly Release
Presented by Penske Truck Rental
LAST WEEK
Fri., Nov. 30 – Crunch at Cleveland – OTL, 4-3
Sat., Dec. 1 – Crunch at Cleveland – W, 5-3
THIS WEEK
Fri., Dec. 7 – Crunch vs. Binghamton – 7 p.m.
Sat., Dec. 8 – Crunch vs. Rochester – 7 p.m.
CRUNCH PUSH POINTS STREAK TO 12 GAMES
The Crunch collected three of a possible four points by splitting a pair of games with the Cleveland Monsters in Week 9.
The overtime loss and win for the Crunch extends their AHL-high points streak to 12-straight games (10-0-2-0). It is tied for the third-longest streak in franchise history; the Crunch had a 23-game streak (20-0-0-3) Feb. 22-April 13, 2008, a 16-game run (9-0-3 with four ties) Feb. 28-April 6, 2001 and another 12-game stretch (9-0-2-1) Feb. 8-March 3, 2006. At the quarter pole of the season, the Crunch (12-5-2-0) are in second place in the North Division with 26 points, but lead the way with a 0.684 points percentage, which ranks fourth in the AHL.
The Crunch host Binghamton and Rochester in Week 10.
TOP PERFORMERS
Alex Barré-Boulet is the third Crunch player—and second rookie—this season to rattle of at least a nine-game points streak. He extended his current run to nine games by contributing three points (1g, 2a) in two games in Week 9. The rookie logged his fourth multi-point game with a power-play goal and power-play assist in Friday’s loss to Cleveland. He added a primary assist Saturday against the Monsters. Barré-Boulet has goals in six of the nine games during his scoring streak, including two separate three-game goal streaks.
He joins Cory Conacher, who’s currently on an 11-game scoring streak, and fellow rookie Taylor Raddysh, who notched a point in nine-straight games Oct. 26-Nov. 17. Since the 2005-06 season, only five Crunch rookies—including Barré-Boulet and Raddysh—have had a nine-game scoring streak. Nikita Kucherov (2013-14) is the only other Lightning prospect to pull it off. They are joined by Kyle Palmieri (2010-11) and Derick Brassard (2007-08).
The 21-year-old is tied for third on the Crunch and fourth among AHL rookies with 18 points (8g, 10a). His six power-play goals are already tied for the fifth-most in a single season by a Crunch rookie.
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Dennis Yan snapped a 10-game scoring drought by netting a pair of goals in Saturday’s win over the Monsters. The second-year pro opened the scoring at 1:49 of the first period then potted his second of the game at 13:26 of the opening frame.
The 21-year-old has four goals in 17 games this season after potting 13 in 43 games for the Crunch during an injury-filled rookie campaign. Saturday was his fourth career multi-goal game and first since March 14, 2018 vs. Binghamton.
NEAR PERFECT NOVEMBER
The Crunch collected 20 of a possible 22 points in November, posting a 9-0-2-0 record. Syracuse’s only two losses were in overtime—Nov. 9 at Rochester and Nov. 30 in Cleveland. Sandwiched between those losses was a league-high seven-game winning streak.
This is the fourth full calendar month in Crunch history without a regulation loss. It’s the first since April 2008 when Syracuse closed the regular season 7-0-0-0. That came on the heels of a 11-0-0-1 March in 2008. The only other instance of a regulation loss-free month was March 2001, when the Crunch posted an 8-0-2-0 record with three ties.
Nine wins is the most the Crunch have ever posted in November and their 0.909 points percentage also set a new franchise record for best percentage in November.
UPCOMING: BINGHAMTON, ROCHESTER
The Crunch play their only two home games over a 10-game stretch as they host Binghamton and Rochester in Week 10.
Friday is the fifth head-to-head meeting between the Crunch and Devils this season; Syracuse has won the first four games by a combined score of 18-6. This is the fourth meeting since Nov. 14. The Devils (10-11-3-0) enter the week in fourth place in the North Division with 23 points.
The Crunch host Rochester Saturday for the team’s Tired Teddy Toss presented by Stanley Steamer. It’s the third of 12 matches between the clubs this season and the first in Syracuse; the Amerks have won the first two, including an overtime game Nov. 9. Rochester (13-6-2-0) leads the North Division with 28 points, two ahead of the Crunch entering the week. The Amerks host Utica and Providence Wednesday and Friday before visiting the Crunch Saturday.
CONACHER TABBED AHL PLAYER OF THE MONTH
Cory Conacher was named CCM/AHL Player of the Month for November after recording 23 points (8g, 15a) in 11 games; he finished the month on a 10-game points streak and he had eight multi-point games.
The 28-year-old is the third Crunch player to win AHL Player of the Month honors since the 2007-08 season. He joins Yanni Gourde (Nov. 2014) and Brett Connolly (Feb. 2013). Conacher is currently second in the AHL with 27 points (10g, 17a).
