Game Four-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (4-0-0) vs. Syracuse Crunch (2-1-0)- 7:30 P.M. Friday, October 21, 2005. War Memorial
Game Five-Rochester Americans vs. Syracuse Crunch- 7:30 P.M. Saturday, October 22, 2005. War Memorial.
The Crunch play back-to-back games for the first time this season as they welcome the baby Pens to the friendly confines on Friday and then the rival Amerks on Saturday. The weekend looks to be a real test for the Crunch as both the Penguins and the Amerks have been strong early on.
Undefeated after four games, the Penguins have scored 17 goals while surrendering only 7. Wilkes-Barre also is tops in the American League on the power play, clicking at close to a 27% success rate (7-26). On the penalty kill the Pens have given up 6 goals in 40 shorthanded situations landing them 12th in the league with an 85% kill rate.
Players to Watch:
The Penguins return plenty of familiar faces at the forward position. Michel Ouellet (1g, 5a), Tomas Surovy (2 goals),Matt Hussey (1 goal) and Colby Armstrong (2 assists) all are back in Wilkes-Barre once again.
Also returning is potential break-out candidate Erik Christensen. The second-year forward is tied with Ouellet for the team lead in scoring with six points after potting four goals in the Pens 8-1 win over Bridgeport in their season opener.
Newcomer Daniel Carcillo also has the potential to be something special for the Pens. The former Sarnia Sting standout is fearless on the ice and he also brings a decent set of hands. Proof of that is his team leading 18 penalty minutes, one more than resident tough guy Dennis Bonvie, and his four points (1g, 3a) in four games.
Defensively Wilkes-Barre boasts maybe the best overall defender in the AHL in Ryan Whitney. Pittsburgh’s first selection, 5th overall in 2002, has kicked off his second full season in the AHL in fine fashion. The Boston University product leads all AHL defensemen with two goals and six assists in four games.
Joining Whitney on the Pens blueline are vets Alain Nasreddine, David Koci, and former Crunch defender Chris Kelleher. Wilkes-Barre also boasts rookie Noah Welch, who joins the Pens after four very successful seasons playing for the Harvard Crimson.
In goal Marc-Andre Fleury returns to the Wilkes-Barre lineup after
appearing in three games already this season with Pittsburgh. Backing up
Fleury is the more than capable Dany Sabourin, whose strong play forced the
Pens to dispatch playoff hero Andy Chiodo to Wheeling of the ECHL.
Americans at a Glance:
Rochester is 3-1 on the young season and they host the Cleveland Barons on Friday evening before making the trek to Syracuse for game one in arguably the biggest rivalry in the American League.
Heading into the weekend Rochester’s special teams have been exactly that, special. They have converted 8 of 30 power play attempts, placing them only percentage points behind Wilkes-Barre for the top spot. Their penalty kill has been equally impressive, surrendering only 3 goals in 33 shorthanded opportunities.
Players to Watch:
Scoring should not be a problem for the Amerks, not with the likes of Derek Roy (5g, 4a), Michael Ryan (3g, 2a), Chris Thorburn (1g, 3a), Jason Pominville (2g, 1a) and Chris Taylor (1g, 1a) all returning to the Rochester lineup.
The Amerks also sport some talented newcomers. Kamil Kreps joins Rochester via the Florida Panthers. Kreps split last season between San Antonio of the AHL and Texas of the ECHL and has recorded two goals and two assists in four games this season.
Clark MacArthur, Buffalo’s 3rd selection in the 2003 Entry Draft, makes the jump to the pro ranks after three very successful seasons with Medicine Hat of the WHL. This will be MacArthur’s first full season with Rochester after appearing in three games for the Amerks in last year’s Calder Cup Playoffs.
The Crunch may have caught a slight break when hulking forward Anthony Stewart was summoned to Florida earlier in the week. Stewart, a legitimate power forward prospect, recorded three goals and two assists prior to his recall.
The usual suspects also return on defense for the Amerks. Back is power play quarterback David Cullen (3 assists) along with veterans Doug Janik (2 assists), Nathan Paetsch (3 assists) and Brandon Smith (1g, 1a).
Defenseman Dan Focht adds a physical element to the Rochester blueline. The 6’6”, 234 pound Focht signed with Florida as a free-agent after appearing in 26 games last season with the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Rochester also received even more depth this past week when veteran Jeff Jillson was sent down from Buffalo. The former first rounder appeared in 78 games for the Amerks last season, recording 12 goals and 17 assists.
Gone is the tandem of Ryan Miller and Tom Askey, but Rochester shouldn’t see much of a drop off in net. Jean-Marc Pelletier joins the Amerks after splitting last season between Utah and Springfield. Rochester also received former AHL All-Rookie Team goaltender Michael Leighton via a trade. Leighton was acquired from Chicago for long time Amerk Milan Bartovic.
The Fight Card:
It may turn out to be a busy weekend for Crunch enforcer Brandon Sugden. On Friday Dennis Bonvie comes to town. It was around this time last season that Sugden dropped Bonvie with a vicious right hand. Despite that fact don’t expect Bonvie to shy away from any confrontation. Dennis is a gamer and a consummate professional along with being a great entertainer. Get there early for this one because the Sugden, Bonvie show usually starts as soon as warm-ups begin.
Wilkes-Barre also has a couple of other willing combatants. David Koci is healthy once again and rookie Daniel Carcillo may be one of the toughest middleweights in the league this season.
Saturday night brings the Rochester Americans and that means Sean McMorrow. Only problem is that McMorrow is having trouble cracking the Amerk lineup and has yet to dress for a game this season.
Forward Greg Jacina has been one of the Amerks taking over some of the
dirty work for McMorrow. Jacina piled up 150 penalty minutes with San
Antonio last season and already has 17 this year. Holdovers Chris Thorburn,
Doug Janik and Nathan Paetsch will also step up if warranted.
Crunch One-Timers:
Newcomer Jaroslav Balastik looks to make his Crunch debut on Friday. Balastik was sent down by the Jackets to try a find his scoring touch. If that happens, look for Balastik’s stay to be only temporary………….Tyler Kolarik may also make his Crunch debut this weekend. The former Harvard standout did everything within his power in the preseason to make the club, but was caught in a numbers game. Look for Kolarik to continue to do whatever it takes to prove he belongs…………Both Mark Hartigan and Steve Goertzen are slated to make their season debuts with Columbus when they take on San Jose Friday night at Nationwide. Thursday’s Columbus Dispatch had Hartigan playing left wing on a line with Jan Hrdina and David Vyborny and Goertzen playing center between Jody Shelley and Mike Rupp………..One of the more popular giveaways returns for Friday’s game versus the Penguins. Magnetic Schedule Night is back and everyone in attendance on Friday will receive a Syracuse Crunch magnetic schedule courtesy of SportsRadio 620 WHEN.