AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Close out 2005 with an Impressive December

Published on January 3, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


DECEMBER OH SO GOOD: The Crunch recorded 20 points in the month of December, helping them move into third place in the North Division. Syracuse played 15 games during December (6 home, 9 road), posting a 9-4-1-1 record, including a five-game in six-night stretch and four-game in five-night stretch.

ATLANTIC DIVISION WEEK: This week boasts an Atlantic Division look as Syracuse travels to Hartford on Wednesday, then heads to Albany on Friday and finishes the week in Springfield on Saturday. Syracuse is looking to improve on a 3-0-1-0 record against Atlantic Division teams so far this season.

DELMORE, HARTIGAN AND PICARD BACK TO CRUNCH - SZWEZ ASSIGNED TO DAYTON: The Syracuse Crunch announced that the Columbus Blue Jackets have reassigned defenseman Andy Delmore, center Mark Hartigan and left wing Alexandre Picard to Syracuse. The tem also announced that they have assigned right wing Jeff Szwez to Dayton (ECHL).

Delmore, 29, has appeared in five games with Columbus this season, recording two penalty minutes. He has an AHL-high for defenseman and a team-high 30 points, including a team-leading 25 assists. In 219 career AHL games with Fredericton, Philadelphia, Rochester and Syracuse, Delmore has tallied 31 goals, 90 assists and 158 penalty minutes. A native of LaSalle, Ontario, Delmore was claimed off waivers by Columbus from Detroit on October 4, 2005.

Hartigan, 28, has appeared in 11 games with Columbus this season, recording one goal and six penalty minutes. In 23 games with Syracuse this season, Hartigan has tallied 10 goals, 18 assists and 32 penalty minutes. Through 216 career AHL games with Chicago and Syracuse, Hartigan has registered 79 goals, 100 assists and 266 penalty minutes. A native of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Hartigan was resigned by Columbus on August 22, 2005.

Picard, 20, made his NHL debut on November 18 @ Dallas. In two games with the Blue Jackets this season, Picard has recorded six penalty minutes. In 12 games with Syracuse this season, Picard has registered 3 goals, 2 assists and 21 penalty minutes. A native of Les Saules, Quebec. Picard was drafted by Columbus in the first round, 8th overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft.

Szwez, 24, appeared in nine games with Syracuse this season, recording 3 goals, 2 assists and 11 penalty minutes. A native of Etobicoke, Ontario, Szwez appeared in 22 games with Dayton this season, tallying 13 goals, 9 assists and 30 penalty minutes.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

HARTFORD (NEW YORK RANGERS): Syracuse travels to Hartford on Wednesday, January 4 for the second and final regular season games against the Wolf Pack. Syracuse defeated Hartford in their previous meeting 4-3 on December 30 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Right wing Joe Motzko leads all Crunch players with two points (1g, 1a) in head-to-head scoring. Right wing Colby Genoway (2g) and defenseman Daniel Girardi (2a) lead the Wolf Pack with two points each in head-to-head scoring. Goaltender Andrew Penner recorded 41 saves in the win. Hartford goaltender Robert Gherson recorded 19 saves in the loss. Lifetime, the Crunch are 1-4-2 against the Wolf Pack.

ALBANY (NEW JERSEY DEVILS): Syracuse heads to Albany on Friday, December 6 for the third of six regular season games. Syracuse leads the series 2-1 after losing to Albany 4-3 on December 23 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Center Ben Simon (2g, 1a) and right wing Joe Motzko (1g, 2a) lead all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with three points. Right wing Barry Tallackson leads all River Rats players in head-to-head scoring with two points (2g, 1a). Goaltenders Mike Ayers (33 saves - shutout) and Martin Prusek (27 saves) posted Syracuse's wins. Albany goaltender Frank Doyle has a 1-1-0 record against the Crunch. Lifetime, the Crunch are 40-37-9 against the River Rats.

SPRINGFIELD (TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING): Springfield hosts the Crunch on Saturday, January 7 for the first of two regular season meetings. Centers Jason Jaspers (14g, 19a) and Ryan Vesce (19g, 23a) lead all Falcons players with 33 points. Goaltender Gerald Coleman has appeared in 21 games for the Falcons, posting an 11-8-1 record, a 3.34 goals against average and an .892 save percentage. Lifetime, Syracuse is 6-13-5 against Springfield.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

January

Coleman's ‘Dinner and a Game' Program: The Syracuse Crunch announced the details of the Coleman's ‘Dinner and a Game' program.

During the month of January any party that orders two (2) dinner entrees will receive a Crunch ticket voucher valid for two (2) tickets to a future Crunch home game of the customer's choice.

Coleman's Authentic Irish Pub and Restaurant is located on the corner of Tompkins Street and Lowell Avenue on Syracuse's Tipperary Hill. For directions call 476- 1933. At this Irish Pub, atmosphere is just as important as flavor. There you'll find custom crafted stained glass windows with intricate designs from the Book of Kells, paintings from the Irish National Gallery, and a dark oak bar patterned after the original Jury's in Dublin.

Monday, January 9

Labatt's Celebrity Bartending Series Starts at Change of Pace: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Labatt's, announced that the Labatt's Celebrity Bartending series will begin on Monday, January 9 at Change of Pace.

Crunch players Mark Hartigan, Aaron Johnson and Joe Motzko will serve as celebrity bartenders at Change of Pace from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, January 9. Change of Pace is located on 1802 Grant Blvd. in Syracuse. For directions call (315) 472-4409.

All tips generated by the players that night will be donated to the Onondaga Youth Hockey Association.

Tuesday, January 10

Crunch Players to Sign Autographs at Tully's, January 10: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Crunch players Joakim Lindstrom and Jeff MacMillan will be at Tully's on Erie Blvd. on January 10 from 6-7 p.m. to sign autographs. Tully's is located at 2943 Erie Blvd. Call 449-9339 for directions.

Crunch Announce Details of 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 2005-06 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, 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 (1) 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 (www.syracusecrunch.com) and at the Advance Auto Parts Guest Service Center at all Crunch home games.

Crunch Announce Details of Advance Auto Parts Fan of the Year Contest: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Advance Auto Parts, introduced the Advance Auto Parts Fan of Year program to salute the loyal hockey fans who dedicate their time and energy following the Crunch.

Beginning November 7 and running through March 20, the Crunch will select one (1) fan as a finalist for the Advance Auto Parts Fan of the Year. Each of the twenty (20) finalists will be featured on the Crunch's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com), receive a "Best PART of the Crunch" t-shirt and a gift certificate to Advance Auto Parts.

A panel of judges, including Crunch/Advance Auto Parts management and Crunch players will select three (3) finalists from the twenty (20) featured fans. Crunch fans will then select the Advance Auto Parts Fan of the Year through in-arena and website voting.

The winner will be announced prior to the final home game of the season during an on-ice presentation.

Applications are available on the Crunch's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com) and at the Advance Auto Parts Guest Service Center at all Crunch home games.

PRACTICE SCHEDULE: The Crunch's weekly schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, January 4 11:15 a.m. skate at @ Hartford Civic Center Veteran Memorial Coliseum

7:00 p.m. game @ Hartford

Thursday, January 5 10:30 a.m. practice @ Glens Falls

Friday, January 6 11:15 a.m. skate @ Pepsi Arena

7:00 p.m. game @ Albany

Saturday, January 7 11:15 a.m. skate @ MassMutual Center

7:05 p.m. game @ Springfield

Sunday, January 8 Off Day

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Syracuse is 7-2-1-0 in their last 10 games... On Saturday, December 31 @ Binghamton, Syracuse had three of their regular defenseman in the line-up. Crunch enforcer Brandon Sugden and recall Eric Lundberg filled two other defensive spots. It is the second game this season that Sugden has moved into a defensive position... Defenseman Jamie Pushor was the only player to appear in the Crunch's first 33 games, a streak that came to an end with him missing the Crunch's game on December 31 due to being recalled by Columbus... Both Syracuse and Binghamton dressed only 16 skaters on Saturday night.

2005-06 RECORD: 19-12-2-1, 41 points (10-4-1-0 home, 9-8-1-1 road), third place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Wednesday, January 4 @ Hartford (17-9-2-5), 41 points, third place, Atlantic Division

Radio: SportsRadio 620 WHEN (tape-delayed), Internet: B2 Networks (www.syracusecrunch.com)

Friday, January 6 @ Albany (10-23-0-2), 22 points, seventh place, Atlantic Division

Radio: SportsRadio 620 WHEN, Internet: B2 Networks (www.syracusecrunch.com)

Saturday, January 7 @ Springfield (14-15-2-3), 33 points, fifth place, Atlantic Division

Radio: SportsRadio 620 WHEN, Internet: B2 Networks (www.syracusecrunch.com)

*Radio station subject to change.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Tuesday, December 27 Crunch 4 HAMILTON 2

Wednesday, December 28 CRUCH 4 Binghamton 3

Friday, December 30 CRUNCH 4 Hartford 3

Saturday, December 31 BINGHAMTON 4 Crunch 1

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from January 3, 2006


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