BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton saw its point streak end at six games on Saturday with a 3-0 shutout loss to the Syracuse Crunch.
Wilkes-Barre had a 4-0-1-1 record in those six games.
Syracuse, which is the affiliate of both the Panthers and Lightning this season because the Panthers' regular affiliate opted out of the AHL season, had a big boost to its lineup entering the game with five skaters either returning from injury or the NHL before the game.
After an even, scoreless first period with both teams trading chances, the Crunch stuck first midway through the period when Daniel Walcott got a tip on a shot from the blue line:
Otto Somppi extended the Crunch's lead 4:40 later when Somppi got a breakaway. Emil Larmi made the initial save, then Somppi quickly tucked the rebound past Larmi:
Ben Thomas scored 1:08 later, beating Larmi with a laser of a shot from the right circle:
Wilkes-Barre pressed hard in the third period, taking 16 shots and holding the Crunch to just six, but they were unable to beat Crunch goaltender Samuel Montembeault, who spent extended time in the NHL with Florida in the past two seasons.
Wilkes-Barre's power play, which entered the game operating at a 21.95 percent success rate, was uncharacteristically flat and went 0-for-6, including an extended 5-on-3 late in the third.
MORE FROM THE GAME
• Eight of Wilkes-Barre's 37 shots came from captain Josh Currie. Jan Drozg had the second-most with six.
• Larmi stopped 19 of 22 shots. He had a couple of big saves earlier in the game, including this sliding pad save in the second period:
Larmi had another big save later in the game on a Crunch breakaway, kicking the puck away with his skate as he dove to his side:
• Here's something you don't see every day: Drozg just flattening an opponent with a hit:
Drozg is never going to be a heavy hitter, but he did speak before about working on his strength this season. I've noticed in earlier games that he does seem to be handling physicality better this season and doesn't get knocked off the puck himself as easily anymore.
• Before the game, Wilkes-Barre assigned backup goaltender Shane Starrett to the Nailers. He went 1-0-1 in two starts for Wilkes-Barre, posting a 3.89 goals-against average and an .860 save percentage. Starrett started for the Nailers on Saturday, and made 45 saves on 48 shots (no, that's not a typo) in a 3-2 loss to Fort Wayne.
The Starrett re-assignment leaves Wilkes-Barre's goaltenders as Larmi and Brett Brochu. Brochu has yet to play in a game. The 18-year-old is eligible to play in Wilkes-Barre on an amateur tryout agreement despite the NHL-CHL transfer agreement because the OHL has yet to begin play. When the OHL restarts, he'll have to return to the London Knights. Last season Brochu posted a 32-6-0 record (no, that's not a typo), setting the OHL record for wins by a 16- or 17-year old rookie goaltender. He led the OHL with a 2.40 goals-against average and ranked No. 2 with a .919 save percentage.
Wilkes-Barre doesn't have another set of back-to-backs scheduled for another month, so it'll be interesting to see if Brochu gets in a game before he has to go back to juniors.
• Forward Luke Stevens is no longer on the injured list and was a healthy scratch.
• Forward Felix Robert returned to the lineup after being a late scratch last game with what J.D. Forrest called a "nagging" upper-body injury.
THE ESSENTIALS
• Boxscore
• Video highlights
• AHL scoreboard
• Standings
• Statistics
THE THREE STARS
As selected at Upstate Medical Arena at The Oncenter War Memorial:
1. Samuel Montembeault, Crunch
2. Ben Thomas, Crunch
3. Otto Somppi, Crunch
THE INJURIES
• Defenseman Zach Trotman underwent right knee surgery Jan. 14 to repair a torn meniscus and remains day-to-day.
• Defenseman Jesper Lindgren left the first preseason game after sliding into the boards and underwent successful shoulder surgery this week. He's out indefinitely for the rest of the season.
• Forward Justin Almeida was injured in a practice and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
THE LINEUPS
Forrest’s lines and pairings:
Tim Schaller-Josh Currie-Drew O'Connor
Felix Robert-Radim Zohorna-Jan Drozg
Sam Miletic-Jordy Bellerive-Nick Schilkey
Jonathan Gruden-Chase Berger-Zach Nastasiuk
P.O Joseph-Jon Lizotte
Kevin Czuczman-Will Reilly
Cam Lee-Billy Sweezey
And for Benoit Groulx's Crunch:
Scott Wilson-Gemel Smith-Jimmy Huntington
Daniel Walcott-Otto Somppi-Serron Noel
Gabe Fortier-Nikita Pavlychev-Peter Abbandonato
Dmitry Smykin-Greg Meireles
Devante Stephens-Ben Thomas
Sean Day-Brady Keeper
John Ludvig-Luke Witkowski/Alex Green
THE SCHEDULE
The Penguins will host the Phantoms on Friday, the first game in which fans will be permitted at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza this season,
THE CONTENT
Visit our team page for everything.
