WHAT'S IT GOING TO LaCOSTA

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Grand Rapids will look to a different night to strengthen their position in the race for playoff contention, as the Syracuse Crunch delivered a 3-1 blow Wednesday night at the Onondaga County War Memorial.

The loss stretches the Griffins’ road losing streak to seven, but despite the skid they have claimed points in three of those games (0-4-1-2) and will look continue their success at home this Friday when they host the Toronto Marlies at 7 p.m.

The Crunch scored the lone goal of the opening period at 10:25 with a two-man advantage. Andy Canzanello fed a pass from the left corner to Curtis Glencross, who fired a shot from the top of the circles that Philippe Dupuis tipped past Jimmy Howard.

The goal light remained dark at each end in the second as both Howard and Dan LaCosta racked up 14 saves during the period, and the Griffins went into the final 20:00 facing a 1-0 deficit.

Syracuse claimed a two-goal lead when Canzanello sent a wrist shot to the cage from the blue line that found the back of the net at 13:05 during a power play as Howard was screened.

Scott Parse was able to spark some life back into the Griffins exactly one minute later after he launched a rocket over the right shoulder of the goaltender from the point off an assist from Kip Miller.

But the Crunch were able to seal the deal on an empty netter at 18:42 when Ryan Caldwell cleared the puck the length of the ice and watched it cross the goal line at the other end.

Both goalies had very strong nights as Howard stopped 36 shots while LaCosta put up 31.