By Michael Wax
After starting the season with two weeks in the opening week, the Syracuse Crunch had a road trip to Cleveland to face the Monsters. They would split those games, winning 5-0 on Friday the 20th before falling 4-2 on the 21st. Before we get into what we saw this weekend, here is some admin:
After being loaned to the Crunch last week, Pyotr Kochetkov got called up by the Hurricanes on Wednesday. In his absence, the Crunch called up Evan Fitzpatrick and saw him start in Saturday's 4-2 loss. Kochetkov was reassigned to the minors on Sunday night and should be available next weekend.
Here are four things we noticed over this weekend's games from the Crunch:
Gross-hev
Many in the Lightning fan base were impressed with forward Maxim Groshev during both the rookie showcase and the preseason. After a summer training with Lightning forwards Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and defenseman Mikhail Sergachev, Groshev showed off different facets of his game. Some improvements include a better shot and some incredible playmaking abilities. His first North American ice served as a warning to the rest of the AHL, coming in strong on the left-hand side and sneaking a shot under the near-side post to put himself on the board.
Groshev still has a lot of learning to do, specifically regarding the game's defensive aspect. But if his summer training and early play on offense is any indication, the Lightning may have found another brilliant playmaker to add to their arsenal.
Do the Robert
After two goals in two games last week, forward Félix Robert decided he wanted to do it again. With a goal in each game against the Monsters, Robert currently has a goal in the first four games of the season, both of these goals different than the week prior.
In Friday's contest against Cleveland, Robert got the puck in the neutral zone off a breakout pass from forward Gage Goncalves and immediately darted toward the net from the right circle. With defender Sean Day coming down the left side to make it a two-on-two, Robert unleashed a picture-perfect wrist shot from just inside the right circle to the top left corner of the net.
On Saturday, Robert wasn't the one making the play but rather was the recipient of a great chance. After Lucas Edmonds dropped the pass to forward Joe Carroll, Carroll shouldered the puck off to his right side while charging the net and got off an initial shot that Monsters' goaltender Jet Greaves saved. With his keen awareness, Robert had already placed himself at the doorstep and deposited the rebound behind Greaves for his fourth goal in four games.
With all the early talk around the Lightning's defense, goal-scoring is the last thing they need now. However, should the bottom six need a spark at any point throughout the season, Robert's hot start has undoubtedly elevated his name into potential call-ups.
Shut 'Em Down
Goaltender Hugo Alnefelt is in a challenging position early in the season. Originally expected to be the starter or at least share the net with Matt Tompkins, Alnefelt quickly found himself in the backup role to Kochetkov. With the status of Kochetkov uncertain for the majority of the season and the potential for him to be going in and out of the AHL, Alnefelt certainly needs to be ready to step in at a moment's notice. As the unquestioned starter in the opening game this weekend, he showed everyone why he has been such a highly talented prospect, stopping all 35 Cleveland shots in his fourth shutout of his AHL career.
Alnefelt got off to an excellent start in 2022-23, holding a .927 save % through 19 games. That number cratered during the back half of the season, and while he dealt with many injuries, he also struggled at times with shots he normally handled fine. This year, it's about finding a consistency that he can carry from the season's opening game to any potential playoff starts he may make.
4 v. 5
The penalty kill has been very good for Syracuse recently. In the first 19 attempts, they've only given up one power-play goal and even scored a shorthanded goal against the Monsters on Friday. However, that's the big problem.
Nineteen minor penalties in four games isn't a sustainable way to win. The Crunch are currently relying on a very good penalty kill and their rotating cast of goaltenders to make up for any potential main advantages they may give up.
The Crunch were second among eastern conference teams last year in penalty minutes and ended up finishing with a below-average penalty kill. To avoid repeating that same mistake, the Crunch must adapt, learn how to play with each other and stay out of the box.
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