CRUNCH-COMETS RIVALRY INTENSIFIES
The Crunch square off against the Utica Comets for the second time in three days tonight at Upstate Medical University Arena.
Utica has won the last two meetings head-to-head, including a 4-1 win at the Adirondack Bank Center two days ago.
LAST TIME OUT
The Comets scored three times in a five-minute span in the second period to defeat the Crunch, 4-1, Wednesday in Utica.
Utica cashed in late during a first period power play to snag a 1-0 lead. Timur Ibragimov blasted a one-timer from the right circle at 8:20 to put the Comets in front.
The Crunch had a few cracks at tying the game in the second period with multiple power plays, but it was the Comets who built a 2-0 lead when Shane Bowers scored on a shorthanded breakaway at 6:26. Xavier Parent made it 3-0 when he scored on a 2-on-0 rush with Cal Foote. Kyle Criscuolo capped the scoring spree by potting a rebound at 11:25.
Syracuse swapped goaltenders after Utica’s fourth marker, and limited the Comets to six shots over the final 29 minutes of the game. Ilya Usau, however, was the lone player to score for the Crunch late in the third period, making it a 4-1 final score.
SCOUTING THE CRUNCH
The Crunch have lost back-to-back games in regulation for only the second time all season (also Oct. 21-27). The previous instance also included a loss versus the Comets. The Crunch had gone on a 5-1-0-2 run following those consecutive losses, so the team is now 8-5-0-2 this season. With 18 points, the Crunch are tied for third place in the North Division.
Forward Ilya Usau is the only player on the Crunch to pick up a point in each of the last two games. He has scored a goal in both contests, making it the first time since April 5-7 that he has scored a goal in consecutive games. The 22-year-old has six points (4g, 2a) in 14 games this season and two of his four goals have been scored against the Comets.
HOME COOKING
Tonight begins a three-game homestand for the Crunch, and also starts the second of nine home back-to-backs this season. The Crunch split the first instance Oct. 27-28, which also featured home matches against Utica (loss) and Laval (win).
Syracuse won its most recent home game last Friday versus Hartford to improve to 3-2-0-1 on home ice this season. The Crunch have not won two straight home games…
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