Lots Of Changes For The Crunch
The Crunch only had two games this weekend with a home and home against the Binghamton Senators. Friday I was out of town so did not get to watch or listen to the game in Binghamton but with a 5-0 drubbing it did not seam like I missed much.
Kevin Harvey elbowed Paul Baier and has once again been suspended by the AHL. This time for only two games and served his first game Saturday. On a side note Jon Mirasty and Jeremy Yablonski faught and these two are a joy to watch. Here is Fridays fight:
Saturday the game started very defensive for both teams and not much action except the Mirasty - Yablonski fight where the two squared off on the opening face off. Yablonski did not return to the game. Here is the clip for Saturday:
Dan Fritsche started the scoring with helpers from Pelletier and Liffiton. After the goal Dan pointed to Lalande as to say that was for you and skated down and said something and tapped him on his pads. Not sure what it was all about but the Crunch seemed to be trying hard to get the win for Lalande. The Senators tied it up eight minutes later but Nick Holden got the lead back 1:48 later. Clitsome and Fritsche assisted on Holdens second of the season.
Jared Aulin', who was playing in his final game of his 25-game PTO scored the third goal from Picard and Clitsome. Picard was a game time decision as it was not sure if his plane would arrive in time after being sent back from Columbus. He did not skate in the pre game warm up. Bingo had a goal in the final two minutes with their goalie pulled for the extra skater but the Crunch held on for the 3-2 win.
News and Notes:
Tom Sestito will miss the next 2 to 3 months with hip surgery. This is his third season with a serious injury. His health is becoming a concern in my opinion as he needs to play a lot of minutes to get better and with these season-ending and 2 or so months out at a time injuries he is just not learning what he needs to make the next step.
Jared Aulin was resigned to another PTO contract for the Crunch. Not sure why he was not signed to at a minimum AHL-only deal as he has been a nice addition but there must be reasons. Not sure if it is for another 25 games or not as details were not released.
Bryan Lundbohm was released from his PTO but the Crunch signed former first round selection Daniel Tkaczuk to a PTO. Tkaczuk has been playing in Europe for the last 6 years but started this season in the ECHL for the Charlotte Checkers where he had 6 goals and 12 assists in 12 games. Looks like a Sestito replacement and is also another centerman.
Clitsome had a real nice game along with Holden on Saturday. The defense as a whole played really well with David Liffiton starting to get a lot better. He is becoming that shut-down physical type which this team sorely needs.
McBride was traded to to Peoria for future considerations and MIke has stated that Pelletier was traded for Bell and Kana.
Lines for Saturday were:
Battaglia Fritsche Pelletier
Mayorov Aulin Picard
Ferguson Frischmon Smotherman
Miller McBride Mirasty
Holden Clitsome
Sigalet Regner
Liffiton Reese
Lalande