MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com- Syracuse, NY (December 12, 2008) – Even though Syracuse scored two goals in the final two minutes to come within a goal, it was not enough to overcome three third period markers from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, as the Crunch fell 4-3 in front of 4,752 fans at the War Memorial at Oncenter tonight.

The Crunch came out looking to end its three-game skid and feed off the home crowd after more than two weeks away from the War Memorial at Oncenter.

That goal got off to a rough start, when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton opened the scoring just 2:37 into the opening frame.

T.J. Kemp corralled the puck in the left corner in his own offensive zone and made a move to the net on Crunch defenseman Kyle Wharton. Kemp’s got a shot away that created a rebound where Jon D’Aversa was able to slip the puck by Crunch starter Sebastian Dahm for the 1-0 lead.

Despite being outshot 11-7 in the period, Syracuse tied the game about with about seven minutes remaining.
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An errant pass along the boards by the Penguins popped out in the slot to Mike York. York quickly moved the puck over the waiting stick of Derek MacKenzie, who slammed it into the open cage to tie the game at 1-1.

Syracuse started the stanza down two men as Tom Sestito was called for hooking and Aaron Rome for cross-checking at the 19:16 and 19:20 marks of the first, respectively.

The Crunch were able to ward off the Penguins power play and the game remained deadlocked.

The Crunch had a golden opportunity to grab the lead when Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Tommy Goebel received a double-minor for high-sticking Steve Kelly at the 12:35 mark of the second stanza. Just 40 seconds later, Goebel’s teammate Nick Johnson was called for tripping, setting up a two-minute five-on-three advantage for the Crunch, but they could not take advantage.

Janne Pesonen gave the Penguins back the lead when he put home a chance in the slot on a feed from Adam Henrich that hit off Alexandre Picard and past Dahm.

Mark Letestu and Luca Caputi registered two quick strikes at the 9:05 and 9:50 marks of the third to stretch the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton lead to 4-1.

With things looking bleak, Mike York tipped an Aaron Rome point shot past Berkhoel to cut the deficit to 4-2.

Craig MacDonald notched his eighth of the year to pull within one goal with 26 seconds left, but it wasn’t enough.

CRUNCHABLES: Crunch left wing Steve Kelly returned to the lineup after missing 13 games with an injury...Left wing Tom Sestito returned to the lineup after missing 12 games with an injury...Sebastian Dahm made his first start at home this season and first since November 21 @ Albany...The Crunch lost its season-high fourth straight game tonight.

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