AHL Syracuse Crunch

Conklin and Novak Recalled By Columbus

Published on December 11, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


COLUMBUS RECALLS CONKLIN AND NOVAK -- LaCOSTA JOINS CRUNCH: The Syracuse announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled goaltender Ty Conklin and defenseman Filip Novak. In addition the Blue Jackets have reassigned goaltender Dan LaCosta to Syracuse from Dayton (ECHL).

Conklin, 30, has appeared in 14 games with Syracuse this season, posting a 2-10-1 record, a 3.33 goals against average and a .905 save percentage. He registered his first win in a Crunch uniform on November 15 @ Philadelphia, recording 22 saves. In 60 NHL games, all with Edmonton, Conklin has posted a 27-19-5 record and a 2.49 goals against average. In 97 career AHL games with Hamilton, Hartford and Syracuse, Conklin has posted a 35-37-12 record and a 2.74 goals against average. A native of Anchorage, Alaska, Conklin signed as a free agent with Columbus on July 6, 2006.

Novak, 24, was has appeared in 21 games with Syracuse this season, tallying 1 goal, 12 assists and 41 penalty minutes. He made his Blue Jackets debut at Colorado on Tuesday, November 28 where he earned a +1 plus/minus rating in Columbus' 3-0 win. He has registered four penalty minutes in 12 career NHL games, including 11 with the Ottawa Senators in 2005-06. The Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic, native was signed as a free agent by Columbus on August 9, 2006.

LaCosta, 20, has appeared in four games with Dayton this season, posting a 1-2-1 record, a 4.16 goals against average and a .841 save percentage. A native of Labrador City, New Foundland, LaCosta was selected by Columbus in third round, 93rd overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft.

MURRAY RECORDS BACK-TO-BACK MULITPLE POINT GAMES: Center Andrew Murray appeared in all three games for Syracuse last week recording three goals and three assists. Murray tallied back-to-back multiple point games recording one goal and one assist Friday night at Rochester and then tallied four points (2g, 2a) in Syracuse's 6-1defeat over Philadelphia on Saturday night, to bring his season total to ten. His ten points have come courtesy of four multiple-point games. The Crunch are 4-0-0-0 when Murray records a multiple point game. A native of Selkirk, Manitoba, Murray is the only player to appear in all 25 games this season, recording 10 points (5g, 5a) and 14 penalty minutes.

PATRICIA KARA, DEAL OR NO DEAL'S CASE #9, TO APPEAR AT CRUNCH GAME ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 16, COMPLIMENTS OF KRAFT SOUTH BEACH DIET BAR -- WIN A CHANCE TO SIT WITH PATRICIA KARA, DEAL OR NO DEAL'S CASE #9: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Kraft South Beach Diet Bar, announced that actress and model Patricia Kara, most recently of the hit show Deal or No Deal, will be on hand at the Crunch's Saturday, December 16 game against Hamilton. In addition the Crunch announced the details of an enter to win contest for the chance to sit with actress and model Patricia Kara, Deal or No Deal's Case #9 during the first period of the Crunch's December 16 game against the Hamilton Bulldogs, compliments of Quickway and Kraft South Beach Diet Bar.

The winner of the enter to win contest will receive four (4) tickets to the December 16 game and the chance to sit with Kara during the first period of the game. Kara will participate in the ceremonial puck drop at the December 16 game and host a special on-ice contest during the first intermission. She will be available to sign autographs during the second intermission in Memorial Hall.

Kara (widely recognized as Trisha Kara) is currently working alongside star host Howie Mandel, on the hit NBC show Deal or No Deal as case #9.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

SPRINGFIELD (TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING): Syracuse travels to Springfield on Friday, December 15 for the first of two regular season meetings. Left wing Eric Healey leads the Falcons in scoring with 24 points (9g, 15a) in 26 games. Goaltender Karri Ramo has appeared between the pipes 16 times for Springfield, posting an 8-5-0 record, a 3.13 goals against and a .903 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch are 8-13-5 against the Falcons.

HAMILTON (MONTREAL CANADIENS): The Bulldogs return to the War Memorial at Oncenter on Saturday, December 16 for the third of eight regular season meetings between the clubs. Hamilton leads the series 2-0-0-0, after shutting out Syracuse 2-0 on December 10. Right wing Matt D'Agostini (2g, 1a) and center Maxim Lapierre (1g, 2a) lead all players in head-to-head scoring. Several Crunch players have two points each in head-to-head scoring. Bulldogs goaltender Jaroslav Halak recorded 26 saves in the win on December 10. Crunch goaltender Ty Conklin stopped 28 shots in the loss on Sunday. Lifetime, Syracuse is 29-33-12 against Hamilton.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON (PITTSBURGH PENGUINS): On Sunday, December 16 Syracuse hosts Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for the third of eight regular season meeting between the two teams. The series is tied at one a piece after Syracuse defeated Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5-3 on November 29 at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. Right wing Joe Motzko leads all players in head-to-head scoring with three points (1g, 2a). Several Phantoms players have two points each in head-to-head scoring. Crunch goaltender Tomas Popperle recorded 25 saves in the win for Syracuse. Penguins goaltender Andrew Penner was credited with the loss in the teams' most recent meeting, after allowing four goals. Lifetime, Syracuse is 34-23-7 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

December 13

Celebrity Bartending Series Begins at Hafner's on December 13: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Labatt's, has announced that the Labatt's Celebrity Bartending series will begin on Wednesday, December 13 at Hafner's.

Crunch players Ryan Caldwell, Mark Hartigan and Joe Motzko will serve as celebrity bartenders at Hafner's from 5 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 13. Hafner's is located on 5226 W. Taft Road, North Syracuse. Call 458- 5108 for directions.

All tips generated by the players that night will be donated to the American Heart Association.

South Beach Diet Promotion: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Quickway, announced the details of the South Beach Diet Promotion.

Through the month of December, fans that purchase a South Beach Diet Bar at a Quickway location will be able to bring their Quickway register receipt to the Crunch box office to receive a $6 ticket off any $16 Friday night ticket.

Time Warner Cable Hockey Mom of the Year Program: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Time Warner Cable, introduced the Time Warner Cable Hockey Mom of the Year program to salute the hockey moms who dedicate their time and energy to taking their kids to hockey practices through all kinds of weather and at all hours.

During the 2006-07 season, youth hockey kids will be encouraged to nominate their mom as the Time Warner Cable Hockey Mom of the Year. The child must write an essay, up to 250 words, giving reason why their mom is Hockey Mom of the Year. The application can be mailed, emailed or dropped off at the Crunch office

A panel of judges, including Crunch/Time Warner Cable management and Crunch players will select one (1) winner each month. Each monthly winner will receive four (4) tickets to a Crunch game, the opportunity to participate in a ceremonial face-off, a prize pack from Time Warner Cable and a post game tour of the locker room for up to four (4) people.

All winners will be eligible to win the Grand Prize, which includes a one-year membership to Gold's Gym, a spa gift certificate and dinner for two (2) to an area restaurant. Applications are available on the Crunch's official website and at the Advance Auto Parts Guest Service Center at all Crunch home games.

Poland Spring 'Stick Child for a Game' Program: The Syracuse Crunch announced the details of the Poland Spring 'Stick Child for a Game' program.

During the 2006-07 season, Crunch fans between the ages of seven (7) and fifteen (15) will have the opportunity to sign up to become the Poland Spring 'Stick Child for a Game'.

Selected fans will win a special and unique look into what goes on 'behind the scenes' of a professional hockey game by serving as a stick child for a game. Interested fans can sign-up at the Advance Auto Parts Guest Service Center, located outside the Crunch's main office during games.

Winners will be selected and notified throughout the season. In addition to serving as a stick child, each participant will receive a Poland Spring and Crunch shirt.

CRUNCHABLES: Right wing Joe Motzko's eight game point streak (5g, 5a) came to an end on Sunday night... On Saturday night, both Syracuse and Philadelphia were not penalized in the first period. It is the first game Syracuse has played in that no penalties were called in a period this season... The six goals by Syracuse Saturday night was a season high... The Crunch have won four of their last six games... Syracuse's three-game winning streak, the longest of the season, was snapped on Sunday... Sunday night was the fifth time the Crunch have been shutout this season.

2006-07 RECORD: 8-16-0-1, 17 points (3-8-0-0 home, 5-8-0-1 road), sixth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, December 15 @ Springfield (14-12-0-0), 28 points, fifth place, Atlantic Division

Saturday, December 16 vs. Hamilton (15-10-0-1), 31 points, second place, North Division

Sunday, December 17 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (18-4-1-2), 39 points, second place, East Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULT

Friday, December 8 Crunch 5 ROCHESTER 3

Saturday, December 9 CRUNCH 6 Philadelphia 1

Sunday, December 10 Hamilton 2 CRUNCH 0

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 11, 2006


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