Perhaps next season the Syracuse Crunch will make sure not to open their home schedule with the Charlotte Checkers. After dropping a 4-1 decision a year ago, the Crunch played even worse this year as they lost 6-3 to a team that had been throttled the night before by the Utica Comets. Four first period goals silenced a raucous Syracuse crowd that was hoping for a much better outcome in the Crunch’s 26th home opener.
Charlotte, who lost 8-2 on Friday to Utica, scored two short handed goals and two power play goals in the victory. Syracuse’s supposed strength, it’s defense and goaltending, has been a major deficiency over the last two games as they’ve surrendered thirteen goals.