By Michael Wax
In their first three-game week of the season, the Crunch put up a 1-1-0-1 this week. After a mid-week 3-2 shootout loss to the Bellville Senators on Nov. 8, the Crunch faced the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins for a home-and-home on Nov. 10 and 11, losing 4-0 at home in the first game and winning 6-3 on the road in the latter game.
Before we get into what we saw this weekend, here is some admin:
The Crunch's goaltending situation has gotten way more complicated. With Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen out indefinitely due to blood clotting, the Hurricanes called up goalie Pyotr Kochetkov to serve as the backup. With no backup behind Hugo Alnefelt, the Crunch signed goaltender Brandon Halverson to an AHL amateur tryout (ATO). Halverson had spent the season with the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, putting together a 3-2-0 record with a .925 save percentage and a 2.36 goals-against average. With goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy scheduled to return in the next few weeks, the crunch should be getting some significant reinforcements back in the form of Matt Tomkins.
On Tuesday, the Lightning reassigned defenseman Roman Schmidt from the Crunch to the Ontario Hockey League's Kitchener Rangers. Schmidt played in one game for the Crunch, putting up one assist.
Forward Waltteri Merelä never appeared in a game with the Crunch, being recalled on Wednesday.
Defender Philippe Myers was recalled to the Lightning on Thursday after the trade of Zach Bogosian to Minnesota.
Here are three things we noticed over this week's games from the Crunch:
Big Max
The more into the season we get, the more comfortable Max Groshev has become. This week provided a glimpse into the superstar power that Groshev can eventually offer to the big club, putting up three goals and five points in the three games; extra impressive when you consider the Crunch were shut out in one of those games. His passing was on high display in the game against Belleville, as his quick hands and outstanding vision found defenseman Emlie Lilleberg for his first career AHL goal.
Groshev also showed outstanding goal-scoring ability in all facets of the game. His first goal of the weekend was shorthanded, and his second one saw a neutral zone steal and breakaway goal that once again showed off his hands and above-average speed to get into the perfect position.
Groshev still has a lot to learn, this being his first season in North America. But it's evident he's adapting quickly and could be one of the better Lightning draft picks over the past five years.
Gone, Gone, Gone
2020 2nd-round pick Gage Goncalves has had an under-the-radar season so far for Syracuse, but his third season with the AHL club looks to be another step forward. After putting up a very impressive 41 assists and 54 points in his second season with Syracuse, Goncalves is currently at a point-per-game pace while also putting up nine assists so far. His playmaking has reached a new level compared to previous seasons, as his hockey sense has gotten more complex.
Goncalves had assists on both of Mitchell Chaffee's goals against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, but his second one was far more impressive. Goncalves put up extremely impressive puck protection near the goal line and used power skating to drive toward the net for a shot opportunity. Though the shot was stopped, Chaffee was right there for the rebound to give the Crunch a four-goal lead.
It would be great if Goncalves ramped up his goal-scoring to accompany his increased playmaking. However, becoming the primary facilitator on this team gives the Lightning an option for a potential call-up later in the season.
Response
Sometimes, it's not about how you start but how you finish. After the Crunch suffered back-to-back losses, ending their week strong with a decisive 6-3 is just what the doctor ordered. The Crunch were clicking in all facets of the game, looking like the better team at 5-on-5 and even getting on the board on the power play.
The usual suspects were Gage Goncalves, Fèlix Robert, and the previously mentioned Groshev. There were some key offensive plays from players who haven't contributed, like Joe Carroll and Devante Stephens. A solid, all-around performance, coupled with a solid game in net from Halverson, gave the Lightning farm team a confidence boost heading into the tough part of their schedule.
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