Around The AHL: Groulx leading another crop of Tampa Bay hopefuls in Syracuse

The Syracuse Crunch are up to their old tricks.

After an uneven 2019-20 season and a 3-5-1 start to their current campaign, the Crunch look much more like the AHL powerhouse that has churned out prospect after prospect for the Tampa Bay Lightning, posted back-to-back 100-plus point seasons in 2017-18 and 2018-19, and went to the Calder Cup Final in 2017.

Since that slow start that dragged into March, the Crunch have gone on a 9-3-0 tear despite having their schedule disrupted by COVID-19 protocols affecting opposing teams on their schedule. They are also succeeding even with offensive force Alex Barré-Boulet on recall to Tampa Bay, attempting to integrate Florida Panthers prospects into their lineup, and having a 24th-ranked penalty kill.