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Syracuse Crunch

Week One: Crunch Open Preseason with a Win

October 3, 2011 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


The Syracuse Crunch picked up right where they left off to end the 2010-11 regular season, going a perfect 3-for-3 on the power play en route to a 4-1 victory over the Toronto Marlies in their preseason opener last night at Trisan Centre in Schomberg, Ontario. Dan Sexton led the way with three points (1g, 2a), while Nick Bonino, Patrick Maroon and Kyle Palmieri scored the Crunch's other three goals on the evening. Iiro Tarkki and Timo Pielmeier split the game in between the pipes for Syracuse.

After a scoreless first frame, Bonino opened the offense, pushing the puck in on a jam play to give Syracuse the 1-0 lead. Maroon, who racked up 21 goals in 57 games for the Crunch last season, put the Crunch up 2-0 with assists on the tally going to Nicolas Deschamps and Peter Holland. After Toronto's Will Acton cut the Crunch's lead to 2-1, Sexton put Syracuse back up by two, making it a 3-1 contest. Palmieri, the Crunch's leading scorer from last season, capped the scoring with a breakaway tally in the third period, making it a 4-1 final.

The Crunch wrap up their preseason schedule with the second of a home-and-home with Toronto on Tuesday, October 4 at 7 p.m. at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Syracuse opens up its regular season schedule at Binghamton on October 14, and hosts Adirondack in its home opener on Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 p.m.

LOCKED AND LOADED: After missing the postseason each of the last three years, the Syracuse Crunch appear primed for a run at the Calder Cup Playoffs in 2011-12. The Crunch already have a number of their top players from last season in camp, including leading scorer Kyle Palmieri (29g, 22a), Patrick Maroon (21g, 27a), Nick Bonino (12g, 33a) and Nicolas Deschamps (15g, 31a). Add in the dangerous Dan Sexton (8g, 9a in 17 games last year), and the Crunch's most improved player from a year ago, John Mitchell, and Syracuse should boast a very potent offense.

A few rookies should also factor into the mix, including Anaheim's 2009 first round pick (15th overall), Peter Holland, and free agent acquisition and Lake Superior State product, Rick Schofield. Both players saw their first pro action late last season and contributed to the Crunch's solid finish. Holland was impressive in the three games he played in, recording six points (3g, 3a), while Schofield chipped in seven points (3g, 4a) in 11 contests.

The Crunch should also have more of a veteran presence this season with the addition of free agents forwards Mark Bell, J.F. Jacques and Nathan Smith, as well as seasoned defensemen, former AHL All-Star Bryan Rodney and Mathieu Carle, who was acquired by the Ducks from Montreal in exchange for Mark Mitera on July 16. In addition, veteran netminder Jeff Deslauriers was also signed over the summer, and is expected to provide stability in goal for the Crunch.

UPCOMING GAMES:

TORONTO MARLIES (TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS): The Syracuse Crunch welcome the Toronto Marlies to the War Memorial at Oncenter on Tuesday, October 3 to finish off a preseason home-and-home series. The Marlies roster continues to take shape, as 14 players were sent down from the Maple Leafs last week. Joe Colborne, one of the eight forwards sent down, recorded a goal during a preseason game with the Maple Leafs. Jerry D'Amigo, a teammate of the Crunch's Kyle Palmieri on last year's U.S. Junior National Team, is also in camp with the Marlies.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

MIRABITO OPENING NIGHT, SATURDAY OCTOBER 15: The Biggest Loser season 11 winner Olivia Ward, and her sister, runner-up Hannah Curlee, will appear at the Crunch's Mirabito Opening Night on Saturday, October 15 vs. Adirondack.

Ward, 35, won the 11th season of NBC's The Biggest Loser after dropping an astounding 129 pounds after starting the season at 261 pounds. A native of Pascagoula, Mississippi, Ward grew up in Houston, Texas and was motivated to go on the show after being diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and being told she would likely never have children if she didn't lose weight. In addition, she is an opera singer and felt like she lost roles to people who looked healthier.

Curlee, 32, was the runner-up on the 11th season of NBC's The Biggest Loser after falling just short to her sister, Olivia. Curlee lost 120 pounds after starting the season at 248 pounds. A native of Houston, Texas, Curlee was raised in Mobile, Alabama and went on the show after becoming tired of her weight controlling her life. Curlee gained weight after becoming depressed when emergency back surgery ended her collegiate sports career at the age of 20.

In addition to Ward and Curlee, the Crunch's very own Mark "Big Sexy" Hayes transformed from "Big Sexy" into "Slim Sexy" this summer, dropping 87 pounds with the help of Aspen Athletic Clubs. The Crunch and Aspen Athletic Clubs will be announcing a special contest later this week in conjunction with Ward and Curlee's guest appearance.

Season and single-game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444, or by stopping by the Crunch office in the War Memorial at Oncenter, located at 800 South State Street in downtown Syracuse. For the latest Crunch information, fans can visit the team's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com), or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/syracusecrunch).

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch finished off last season with a 15-5 record in their final 20 games.The Crunch are entering the second year of their affiliation with the Anaheim Ducks.Brad Lauer and Marty Wilford were hired as new Crunch assistant coaches during the offseason.

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