Photo by Alexis Boucher

With all signs pointing towards today’s trade deadline being uneventful, there were more than a few surprising moves leading up to 3 pm. The Lightning joined in as well, making headlines with a shocking trade. Their quest for a number one goaltender sent them to Ottawa and a goalie they expressed interest in last year, 6’8″ Ben Bishop. In return, the Senators acquired forward Cory Conacher and a fourth round draft pick. This was a head scratcher for many fans, the jury here remains out until we see exactly what we’re working with.

There have been some other moves so far this week as well. Defenseman Marc-Andre Bergeron was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Bolts picked up a seventh round draft pick and forward Adam Hall. Yes, the very same Adam Hall that the ‘Canes claimed off of waivers on March 16th. To make things even more confusing, the Philadelphia Flyers claimed Hall off of waivers today. No one would have been surprised to hear he was dealt back to the Bolts yet again, but it looks like he’s sticking on Broad Street for now.

Today also saw a number of roster shifts between Tampa and Syracuse. Brett Connolly and Dana Tyrell were called up from the Crunch. Cedrick Desjardins, Andrej Sustr, Mike Angelidis, and Ondrej Palat are on their way back to the ‘Cuse. Moves done most likely to bolster the Crunch ahead of the AHL playoffs.

Tyler Johnson Photo by Alexis Boucher

As the third period was about to get underway at the Tampa Bay Times Forum last night, the scoring summary was shown on the video board as per usual. What was a but of a change was the names showing up on that list. Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat, Alex Killorn, and Cory Conacher. All recently played for the Syracuse Crunch. All have joined the parent club and have been impossible to ignore on the ice.

Johnson scored his first NHL goal last night and also registered an assist. Sadly there were no fisticuffs to complete the Gordie Howe Hat Trick, but the W is more important. Ondrej Palat also scored his first NHL goal last night as well. The “green” players lead the Bolts to a 4-1 victory over the division rival Carolina Hurricanes.

Take a look at Johnson’s goal. The hard work of that line helped the Lightning to open the scoring. The magic these guys were creating in the AHL has definitely translated to the bigger stage of the NHL. It couldn’t come at a better time for Tampa Bay.

» Continue reading “Luck O’ The Crunch: Rookies Lead Lightning to 4-1 Win”

Nate Thompson Photo By Linda Hamilton

Tonight saw the Lightning defeat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in what has been their most complete effort in recent memory. No exaggeration there. A lot of the mistakes that plagued them through the first three games of their road trip were addressed. Fewer turn overs, they were dominant in the face off circle, and were throwing hits. Add on scoring from the grinders and this was a very entertaining game to watch.

Here are some of the things that stood out this evening:

» Continue reading “Shout At The Devil: Lightning Snap Losing Streak In New Jersey”

Tyler Johnson gets low for faceoffs…so low that no one saw him on draft day. Picture from the Syracuse Crunch FB page

This Syracuse Crunch team sure is special, isn’t it?   The NHL lockout drags on, but one benefit for the Tampa Bay Lightning is the ability to see its young guns play together and grow as a dominant team.  The Crunch played three games this weekend (2-1 loss vs. Binghamton, 4-1 win at Albany, 6-1 win at Worcester) and are now 12-3-1-1 through 17 games.  This puts them in first in the East Division as well as the entire Eastern Conference.

Take some time to absorb all of these bullet points and try not to get giddy (I couldn’t resist) thinking about some of these guys contributing at the NHL level. » Continue reading “Number Crunch: Syracuse Dominating As A Team”

J.T. Wyman Photo by Linda Hamilton

Tonight’s Crunch/Senators game had pretty much everything. Old time hockey toughness, tons of goals, a dramatic late game comeback. Oh, and a goalie fight. A European goalie fight no less. Don Cherry would lose his shit.

This game was pretty ugly from the outset. Bingamton held a 5-0 lead through the first half of the game. That’s when Sens goalie Robin Lehner and Crunch goalie Riku Helenius met at center ice and, well… see for yourself.

Update: Clearer fight footage.

» Continue reading “Crunch Battle To 6-5 Win Against Binghamton”

Cory Conacher Photo by Linda Hamilton

Lightning prospect Cory Conacher did okay for himself in his first year of professional hockey. AHL rookie of the year, MVP, and a Calder Cup Championship.  If the new season is any indication, a sophomore slump is the last thing he needs to worry about.

The left winger was named the first AHL player of the week for the 2012-13 season.  So far he has had a three point third period last Friday night . His efforts helped the Syracuse Crunch overcome a 4-1 deficit and earn a point in the eventual shootout loss to the Rochester Americans.

He didn’t stop there. In Saturday’s game against the Hershey Bears, Conacher scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and pitched in an assist as well. The Crunch finished the night with a 4-3 victory.

Cory credited a lot of his success to his linemates, Tyler Johnson and Ondrej Palat.

“It’s fun to play with those guys. We know where each other are all the time, and that’s a big help for my success,” Conacher said. “Me and Tyler play very similar roles. We’re smaller guys and like to play in the dirty areas. Palat, he’s a player we expect to go hard. He’s a guy who can make big hits.” (Quote Source: New York Hockey Journal)

Cory will be presented with a crystal award before an upcoming home game in recognition of this honor. He might want to make some more room on the shelf.

Riku Helenius (Syracuse Crunch Facebook)

They may have a new name, new city, and new jersey but the Lightning’s AHL affiliate picked up exactly where they left off last season. Shortly after winning the Calder Cup earlier this year as the Norfolk Admirals, the Bolts moved their minor league team to New York. The Syracuse Crunch have started their preseason on the road this week and so far the song remains the same.

The Crunch faced off against the St. Johns Icecaps on Thursday and Friday night. Thursday night’s game saw the Crunch win 4-1. Cory Conacher, Philip-Michael Devos, Richard Panik and Alex Killorn scored for Syracuse. Both Dustin Tokarski and Riku Helenius saw time in net.

Friday night’s game saw the Crunch saw goals from Brett Connolly and Matt Taormina in regulation. The game was tied after three periods and a scoreless overtime sent the proceedings to a shootout. Ondrej Palat, Brett Connolly and Tyler Johnson all had shootout goals. Riku Helenius turned aside all three St. Johns shooters to secure the victory.

The final game of the series is set for 12:30 pm tomorrow. That is probably 11:30 EST since Newfoundland has their own time zone. Just go with it.

» Continue reading “Syracuse Crunch Open Preseason With 2 Victories”

Brett Connolly Photo by Linda Hamilton

Need another sign that the NHL lockout is looming without hope of being stopped? Teams were assigning players to the AHL in droves this morning, the Lightning included.

The following players were assigned to the Syracuse Crunch of the AHL:

Forwards: J.T. Brown, Cory Conacher, Brett Connolly, Danick Gauthier, Alex Hutchings, Tyler Johnson, Alex Killorn, Vladislav Namestnikov, Ondrej Palat and Richard Panik.

Defensemen: Mark Barberio, Radko Gudas, Dmitry Korobov, Charles Landry and Dan Milan.

Goaltenders: Dustin Tokarsaki, Riku Helenius and Pat Nagle.

As if that weren’t enough, JT Wyman was placed on waivers as well. He will be assigned to Syracuse on Saturday if he clears waivers at noon on Saturday.

Yup. This sucks. We should be prepping for training camps right now.