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Syracuse Crunch forward Mike Blunden, right, shown here fighting off Hershey's Tomas Kundratek earlier this season, scored seven goals in January, a career high for one month.

(Scott Schild | Sschild@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. — The Syracuse Crunch lost two of its hottest forwards on Saturday night, one out for at least a game and the other perhaps gone for the season.

The short-term loss is forward Jonathan Marchessault. Marchessault, the Crunch's leading scorer, suffered an unspecified ailment against the Bears but finished the game and tallied the shootout-winning goal.

Monday, Crunch coach Rob Zettler ruled him out at least for Wednesday's contest against visiting Hartford and said he is doubtful for two games this weekend.

The much bigger concern is forward Mike Blunden. He incurred what looked like a knee injury when he collided with Hershey's Chandler Stephenson.

Zettler said the final diagnosis has yet to be confirmed, but indicated that Blunden could need surgery and might be out the rest of the regular season.

"It's going to be awhile,'' Zettler said.

Blunden has 13 goals and nine assists for the Crunch, but is coming off a January in which he posted a career high for most goals (seven) scored in a month.

Forward Danick Gauthier has been recalled from Wichita of the ECHL as a fill-in.

"We have a fairly balanced attack, I've thought. If we can get our D a little bit more active in our offense like we have in the last few games I think we'll be fine,'' Zettler said.

"I see a lot of depth,'' said Crunch forward Tanner Richard. "I think the good thing about our team is we don't rely on one forward or one line. Every night it's a different line chipping in. The weight is going to be distributed. It's not going to be on one guy.''

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