Syracuse, NY (January 22, 2012) – Despite two goals from Kyle Palmieri and one from Bryan Rodney the Crunch were unable to produce a win in today’s rematch against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, falling 4-3, at the War Memorial Arena.
Colin McDonald put the Penguins out to an early 1-0 lead scoring from the left corner off of a pass from Joey Mormina and Alex Grant. McDonald’s shot escaped Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki for the first of two Penguin power-play goals.
With 3:51 left in the first period Rodney tied the game with his fourth goal of the season. Penguins netminder Brad Thiessen was being screened when Rodney’s slap shot found its way through traffic to the back of the net. Rodney’s goal was assisted by Luca Caputi and Peter Holland.
With less than a minute remaining in the opening frame, the Penguins Ben Street was sent to the box to serve two minutes for holding the stick, giving the Crunch their first power-play opportunity. While shorthanded, Penguins center Zach Sill snuck one past Iiro Tarkki with 4.3 seconds remaining in the first to break the tie and send the Penguins into the first intermission with a 2-1 lead.
About halfway through the middle frame Palmieri tied the game with his 22nd goal of the season. Palmieri beat Thiessen with a shot off a John Mitchell feed. Rick Schofield picked up the second assist.
Under three minutes later the Penguins Jason Williams, assisted by Alex Grant and Bryan Lerg, put the Penguins up 3-2 with a power-play tally.
Looking for the opportunity to regain the lead, the Crunch went on the power play at the 12:25 mark of the second stanza after Brian Strait was called for cross checking. The Crunch power play was extended at the 13:26 when Joey Mormina was sent to the box for interference. The Crunch were unable to capitalize on the 5-on-3. Strait took advantage of a Ryan Craig feed that left him all alone against Tarkki, he buried the shot to extend the Penguins lead to 4-2.
Palmieri cut the Crunch deficit to one with his second goal of the game at the 4:27 mark of the final frame. Palmieri put a Patrick Maroon rebound past Thiessen making it a 4-3 game.
After a barrage of shots on goaltender Brad Thiessen, the Crunch failed to produce another tally.
The next Crunch game will take place in the War Memorial Arena at 7:30 p.m. against the Rochester Americans.
Crunchables: Brandon McMillian, Patrick Maroon and Mark Fraser wore A’s…Bryan Rodney’s goal was his first since Nov. 30th…Kyle Palmeri was returned to the Crunch today from Anaheim and now has seven multi-scoring games in the season…Peter Holland has 10 points against the Penguins this season.
Courtesy: Syracuse Crunch
