AHL News

Game 37 Preview: Crunch vs. Comets

Game 37 Preview: Crunch vs. Comets


CRUNCH AND COMETS CONTINUE SERIES 
 
The Crunch finish off a home-and-home series with the Utica Comets tonight at Upstate Medical University Arena.
 
It’s the third meeting between the clubs in six days and the fifth overall this season in the battle for the Galaxy Cup. After their 2-0 win in Utica last night, the Crunch have won the first four games, outscoring the Comets, 20-5.
 
LAST TIME OUT
 
Max Lagace made 25 saves to lead the Crunch past the Utica Comets, 2-0, at the Adirondack Bank Center last night.
 
Gabriel Dumont provided all the offense the Crunch needed. The game was deadlocked in a 0-0 tie deep into the second period before the captain scored off a pass from Alex Barré-Boulet at 17:02 to give the Crunch a 1-0 lead. 
 
That score stood until the 12:52 mark of the third when Jaydon Dureau-brought up from Orlando earlier in the day and celebrating his 22nd birthday-ripped his first goal of the season to make it 2-0.
 
Lagace made 10 third period saves to preserve the win and earn his first shutout of the season. 
 
SCOUTING THE CRUNCH
 
The Crunch have earned five straight wins to match their longest win streak of the season (also Nov. 11-23). The Crunch have outscored their opponents 22-8 during the winning streak. They are 18-13-2-3 this season and remain in fourth place in the North Division with 41 points.
 
Gabriel Dumont (10g, 6a) scored his 10th goal of the season last night. The 32-year-old has scored a goal in three straight games and in five of the last six overall. He carries a seven-game scoring streak into the weekend finale. That only trails Alex Barré-Boulet (eight games) for the longest active streak on the team. He leads the Crunch with 44 points (10g, 34a), which is tied for third in the AHL.
 
The Crunch begin the second half of the season tonight. Their 3.69 goals per game average is pacing for the second-highest scoring season in team history (3.75 goals per game, 2020-21). 
 
BACKSTOPPING THE WAY TO VICTORY
 
The Crunch have allowed just eight goals during their five game winning streak, and that has been fueled with strong goaltending. Hugo Alnefelt (three wins) and Max Lagace (two) have both collected multiple victories in the last week.
 
The two have combined for 137 saves on 145 shots during the streak, good for a 0.945 save percentage. 
 
Lagace’s shutout last…

Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Syracuse Crunch…