AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Special Teams Approaching Marks

Published on January 23, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


2005-06 RECORD: 25-15-2-1, 53 points (13-5-1-0 home, 12-10-1-1 road), third place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, January 27 @ Rochester (21-20-1-1), 44 points, fifth place, North Division

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

Saturday, January 28 vs. Manitoba (27-13-3-2), 59 points, second place, North Division

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

Sunday, January 29 @ Bridgeport (21-20-2-2), 46 points, tied-third place, East Division

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

*Radio station subject to change.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Wednesday, January 18 WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON 7 Crunch 2

Friday, January 20 CRUNCH 3 Cleveland 1

Saturday, January 21 CRUNCH 6 Cleveland 3

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

MAN-UP OR MAN-DOWN - CRUNCH DENTING THE TWINE: Through 43 games this season the Crunch are approaching or exceeding full season totals in both the power play and short-handed goal categories. Entering this week the Crunch have 64 power play goals, nine more than the entire 2002-03 season and just three short of 2004-05 (67 ppg) and four short of the 2003-04 (68 ppg) total. The club record for most short-handed goals in a season is 19 set during the 1998-99 campaign. Right wing Joe Motzko leads the Crunch with 12 power play tallies this season. Reggie Savage holds the individual record, scoring 20 power play goals in 2000-01.

The Crunch's 10 short-handed goals this season has already surpassed their season totals from 2000-01 (9 shg), 1997-98 (8 shg), 2001-02 (8 shg) and 1998-99 (7 shg). The club record is 19, set during the 2002-03 season. Center Ben Simon leads the Crunch with three short-handed goals. Jarkko Ruutu (1999-00) and Matt Davidson (2002-03) share the franchise mark with four short-handed goals in a season. In addition to Simon (t-2nd), Geoff Platt (t-3rd) and Joakim Lindstrom (t-3rd) rank in the AHL's top ten for short-handed tallies this season.

The following is complete listing of the Crunch's power play and short-handed totals:

Season -- Power Play Goals -- Short-Handed Goals

1994-95 -- 82 - 11

1995-96 -- 80 -- 12

1996-97 -- 76 -- 11

1997-98 -- 88 -- 8

1998-99 -- 91 -- 7

1999-00 -- 71 -- 15

2000-01 -- 87 -- 9

2001-02 -- 72 -- 8

2002-03 -- 55 -- 19

2003-04 -- 68 -- 5

2004-05 -- 67 -- 10

2005-06* -- 64 -- 10

* through 43 games

HARTIGAN REASSIGNED TO SYRACUSE: The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have reassigned center Mark Hartigan to Syracuse.

Hartigan, 28, has appeared in 14 games with Columbus this season, recording one goal and 12 assists. In 29 games with Syracuse this season, Hartigan has tallied a team-high 43 points (17g, 26a). He is on a 13-game point streak (13g, 16a), two games shy of the franchise record for most consecutive games with a point. Hartigan continues to climb the Crunch's all-time leaders list, moving into fourth on the power play goals list with 28. He is also fourth with 11 game-winning goals, fifth with 71 goals and seventh with 148 points. He has two hat tricks this season. A native of Fort St. John, British Columbia, Hartigan was re-signed as a free agent by Columbus August 22, 2005.

JOHNSON MATCHES ASSIST TOTAL: With an assist on Saturday, January 21, defenseman Aaron Johnson has tallied 17 assists in 32 games, matching his assist total from last season in 77 games. His 21 points thus far this season ties his point total from his 2003-04 rookie season and is two points shy of matching his career high.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

ROCHESTER (BUFFALO SABRES): Syracuse travels to Rochester on Friday, January 27 for the fifth of 12 regular season games against the Amerks. Syracuse leads the series 3-1-0 after defeating Rochester 5-4 in their previous meeting on December 22 at Blue Cross Arena. Defenseman Andy Delmore (5a) leads all players in head-to-head scoring. Center Jiri Novotny (2g, 2a) and defenseman Nathan Paetsch ( 4a) lead all Rochester players with four points in head-to-head scoring. Goaltender Andrew Penner has a 2-0-0 record against Rochester. Rochester goaltender Michael Leighton has appeared in all four games for the Amerks posting a 1-3-0- record. Lifetime, the Crunch are 51-63-14 against the Amerks.

MANITOBA (VANCOUVER CANUCKS): Syracuse hosts Manitoba at the War Memorial at Oncenter on Saturday, January 28 for the third of four regular season games. The series is tied 1-1-0 after Syracuse beat Manitoba 7-4 on December 14 at the MTS Centre. Left wing Jason Jaffray (1g, 4a) and right wing Alexandre Burrows (1g, 4a) leads all players in head-to-head scoring with five points. Left wing Greg Mauldin (2g, 2a), center Brett Nowak (2g, 2a) and defenseman Andy Delmore (4a) lead the Crunch in head-to-head scoring with four points. Goaltender Mike Ayers posted the win for Syracuse, stopping 22 shots. Manitoba goaltender Wade Flaherty has appeared in both games. Lifetime, the Crunch are 4-5-1 against the Moose.

BRIDGEPORT (NEW YORK ISLANDERS): Syracuse travels to Bridgeport for the second and final of two regular season meetings. Syracuse defeated Bridgeport in their previous meeting this season 4-1 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Centers Ben Simon (2g) and Geoff Platt (2a) lead all players in head-to-head scoring with two points. Defenseman Allan Rourke tallied the Sound Tigers lone goal. Goaltender Andrew Penner was credited with the win, recording 37 saves. Bridgeport goaltender Chris Madden recorded 32 saves in the loss. Lifetime, Syracuse is 1-2-2 against Bridgeport.

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.

P&C Foods & Pharmacy ‘Bring a Crunch Player to School' Program: The Syracuse Crunch announced the details of the P&C Foods & Pharmacy ‘Bring a Crunch Player to School' program.

P&C Foods & Pharmacy and the Syracuse Crunch are teaming up during the 2005-06 season to encourage area school children to write an essay explaining why they would like a Syracuse Crunch player to visit their classroom.

Students can pick up entry forms at Syracuse area P&C Foods & Pharmacy and Syracuse Crunch home games. All essays must be dropped off at P&C Foods & Pharmacy or the Crunch office by February 4, 2006.

A panel of P&C Foods & Pharmacy executives and Crunch players will select ten (10) winning students from the submitted essays. Each of the ten (10) winning students will receive an appearance by a Crunch player in their classroom. In addition, each student in the class will receive a Crunch pennant and a snack from P&C Foods & Pharmacy.

Tuesday, January 24

Celebrity Bartending Series Continues at Hafner's on January 24: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Labatt's, has announced that the Labatt's Celebrity Bartending series will continue on Tuesday, January 24 at Hafner's.

Crunch players Mark Hartigan, Ole-Kristian Tollefsen and Darcy Verot will serve as celebrity bartenders at Hafner's from 5 - 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24. Hafner's is located on 5226 W. Taft Road, North Syracuse. Call 458-5108 for directions.

Wednesday, January 25

Celebrity Bartending Series Continues at Union Square on January 25: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Labatt's, announced that the Labatt's Celebrity Bartending series will continue on Wednesday, January 25 at Union Square Café.

Crunch players Tyler Kolarik, Jeff MacMillan and Ben Simon will serve as celebrity bartenders at Union Square Café from 5 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 25. Union Square is located at 238 Harrison Street, Syracuse. Call 426-9672 for directions.

Thursday, January 26

Mauldin and Sugden to Sign Autographs at P&C -- Players to Appear at the Sara Lee Deli Counter: The Syracuse Crunch announced that left wing Greg Mauldin and right wing Brandon Sugden will be at the Sara Lee deli counter at the Fayetteville Towne Center P&C on Thursday, January 26 from 5-6 p.m.

Mauldin and Sugden will be available from 5-6 p.m. on Thursday, January 26 to sign autographs and take pictures. In addition, fans will have a chance to sign up to win one (1) of ten (10) pairs of Crunch vouchers during the appearance, compliments of Sara Lee. P&C is located at 350 Towne Drive, Fayetteville. Please call 637-8039 for directions.

Saturday, January 28

Empire Vision Centers Poster Night at the Crunch: The Syracuse Crunch announced today that their Saturday, January 28 game against Manitoba will be Empire Vision Centers Poster Night at the Crunch.

Each fan in attendance will receive a 2005-06 Crunch poster, compliments of Empire Vision Centers.

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:

Tuesday, January 24 10:30 p.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Wednesday, January 25 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Thursday, January 26 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, January 27 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game @ Rochester

Saturday, January 28 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Manitoba

Sunday, January 29 4:00 p.m. game @Bridgeport

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Goaltender Martin Prusek faced 84 shots on Friday and Saturday against Cleveland, allowing on four goals... Center Peter Sarno is one point shy of 300 in his AHL career... Joe Motzko's hat trick on Saturday night was the fifth by a Crunch player this season (Hartigan -2, Sarno, Platt)... The 26 shots in the third period and the 48 total shots Syracuse faced on Saturday night were the most to date this season.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 23, 2006


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