Amerks Defeat Crunch for the 8th Time this Season

After a rough stretch of games the Amerks are now riding a three game winning streak into the All-Star break after defeating the Syracuse Crunch for the 8th time this season.  That’s the best way to look at things right now, two points is two points in the standings and a three game winning streak is better than a three game losing streak.

Michal Repik got the Amerks on the scoreboard after only 31 seconds had counted down off the scoreboard.  He scored streaking into the Crunch end off a great pass from Dadonov.

Jimmy Bonneau dropped his gloves and was all set to take on agitator Kevin Harvey in the first but Harvey backed off and went to the bench.  It would have been nice to see Harvey put in his place but it worked out in the Amerks favor as moments later Jeff Taffe scored an awesome goal with a backhand shot.

The Crunch had scored a goal of their own in the first and another in the second to make it a 2-2 game going into the third period.

Jeff Taffe scored his second of the game and 13th of the season at 4:07 of the third period to give the Amerks a 3-2 lead but it wouldn’t last for long.  A few minutes later Derek MacKenzie scored for the Crunch to tie the game at 3-3.

Clay Wilson scored the game winning goal at 12:42 of the third and the Amerks found a way to hold on winning 4-3.

Alexander Salak was the number one star of the game and if it wasn’t for him the Amerks probably would have lost by a score of 8-3.  The Crunch pretty much dominated the second period but Salak was the difference.

That’s all from me about the game, I’ll be up early Sunday morning and checking out the Albany River Rats at Providence Bruins game on Sunday afternoon on my way to the All-Star game in Portland.

The Amerks have three home games again next weekend and if they can find a way to get six points they’ll be back in the North division race with the Hamilton Bulldogs.  Let’s hope a week off helps them all clear their minds and ready to play.

Here’s a couple of links with a lot more about the game:

Rochester frustrates Syracuse again, 4-3
– Lindsay Kramer, Syracuse.com

Here’s Kevin O’s blog from the game:

Late goal by Wilson, cross bar propel Amerks
– Kevin Oklobzija, D&C

Stay tuned for more from the All-Star game in Portland!