AHL Syracuse Crunch

Delmore's Endurance Tested

Published on December 27, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


2005-06 RECORD: 16-11-2-1, 35 points (8-4-1-0 home, 8-7-1-1 road), fourth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Tuesday, December 27, 2005 @ Hamilton (12-20-0-2), 26 points, seventh place, North Division

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

Wednesday, December 28 vs. Binghamton (11-16-2-2), 26 points, seventh place, East Division

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

Friday, December 30 vs. Hartford (17-6-2-5), 41 points, third place, Atlantic Division

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

Saturday, December 31 @ Binghamton (11-16-2-2), 26 points, seventh place, East Division

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

*Radio station subject to change.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Thursday, December 22 Crunch 5 OT ROCHESTER 4

Friday, December 23 Albany 4 OT CRUNCH 3

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

DELMORE SHOWCASES ENDURANCE: Defenseman Andy Delmore appeared in two games with Syracuse last week, recording four points (1g, 3a). From December 13 through December 23, he played nine games in eleven days (seven with Syracuse and two with Columbus). On Friday, December 23 he extended his point-streak to eight games. He has recorded an impressive 15 points (2g, 13a) during the streak, lifting him to the top of the Crunch's scoring list this season with 27 points (5g, 22a) in 23 games. Delmore has split this season with Syracuse (23 games) and Columbus (3 games) after being claimed off waivers by Columbus from Detroit October 4, 2005. Originally signed by Philadelphia on June 9, 1997, Delmore has appeared in 278 career NHL games with Philadelphia, Nashville, Buffalo and Columbus, tallying 43 goals, 58 assists and 103 penalty minutes. A native of LaSalle, Ontario, Delmore led all NHL defenseman in power play goals (14) and tied for the league lead among defenseman in goals during the 2002-03 season.

MOTZKO SETS TEAM-HIGH: Right wing Joe Motzko set a team-high for longest point streak by a Crunch player this season, tallying points in nine consecutive games (November 24 - December 17). During his nine-game stretch he registered 11 points (5g, 6a). Motzko has continued to climb the Crunch's all-time charts moving into eighth with 129 points. He is tied for ninth on the all-time goals list with 52 and is tenth on the all-time assists list with 77. Through 23 games this season, Motzko has recorded 7 goals, 15 assists and 10 penalty minutes.

HOLIDAY RUSH CONTINUES: December has been quite the busy month for Syracuse, with the team playing a total of 15 games (6 home, 9 road), the most of any month this season. Just over a week after playing five games in six nights, which included travel to Manitoba and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Syracuse begins a four-game in five nights stretch tonight in Hamilton. Syracuse finished the five-game stretch with a 3-2-0 record.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

HAMILTON (MONTREAL CANADIENS/EDMONTON OILERS): Syracuse travels to Hamilton tonight for the fourth of eight regular season games against the Bulldogs. Hamilton leads the series 2-0-1 after Syracuse lost 2-1 in a shootout in their last meeting on December 9 at Copps Coliseum. Left wing Jean-Francois Jacques leads all active players in head-to-head scoring with four points (3g, 1a). Right wing Joe Motzko (3a) and defensemen Aaron Johnson (2g, 1a) and Andy Delmore (1g, 2a) lead all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with three points. Goaltenders Andrew Penner (0-1-1) and Mike Ayers (1-0-0) have split time in net for Syracuse. Goaltenders Jeff Deslauriers and Olivier Michaud have recorded wins for the Bulldogs, while Ty Conklin was credited with Hamilton's loss. Lifetime, the Crunch are 25-20-12 against the Bulldogs.

BINGHAMTON (OTTAWA SENATORS): Syracuse plays the first part of a home-and-home series in Syracuse on Wednesday, December 28 and travels to Binghamton on Saturday, December 31 for the second and third of eight regular season meetings against the Senators. Binghamton leads the series 1-0, after defeating Syracuse 4-3 in overtime in their last meeting on November 24 at Broome County Arena. Center Mark Hartigan leads all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with three points (3a). Center Charlie Stephens leads all Binghamton players in head-to-head scoring with three points (2g, 1a). Goaltender Mike Ayers was credited with the loss. Senators goaltender Jeff Glass recorded 37 saves in the win. Lifetime, the Crunch are 8-15-2 against the Senators.

HARTFORD (NEW YORK RANGERS): The Crunch host The Wolf Pack on Friday, December 30 for the first of two regular season meetings. Center Dwight Helminen leads all Hartford players with 23 points (16g, 7a). Goaltenders Robert Gherson (5-1-2 record, 1.95 gaa and .937 save percentage) and Al Montoya (8-1-0 record, 2.20 gaa and .930 save percentage) have split time in net for the Wolf Pack. Lifetime, Syracuse is 0-4-2 against Hartford.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Wednesday, December 28:

Al's Pals Post-Game Skate, Wednesday, December 28: The Syracuse Crunch announced that they will hold a post-game skate exclusively for Al's Pals members on Wednesday, December 28.

Crunch players Andy Canzanello, Tyler Kolarik, Andrew Murray, Brett Nowak and Brandon Sugden will participate in the Al's Pals post-game skate held on Wednesday, December 28. The post-game skate will take place immediately following the game and last 30 minutes. Al's Pals members must sign-in at the Section One corner prior to taking the ice. (Members are required to have their pass and bring their own skates. Skates will NOT be provided and no one will be allowed on the ice without skates).

Al's Pals, the Crunch's kids club, was established to give children 12 and under the opportunity to attend a Crunch hockey game and receive benefits exclusive to them. The registration fee is a one-time charge of $15.

Each Al's Pals member receives an official Al's Pals membership card, an exclusive Al's Pals shirt, a Crunch folder and a set of 2004-05 Syracuse Crunch trading cards. Members will also receive a birthday card from Al and tickets to Al's Pals nights with a discounted parent/friend ticket on December 28 and February 22, an Al's Pals newsletters and 10% off Crunch merchandise at stands.

For your chance to sign-up prior to the Al's Pals post-game skate, call the Crunch office at (315) 473- 4444 ext. 124 or 125 or visit the Crunch's official website www.syracusecrunch.com and

scroll over Fan Zone and click Al's Pals.

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

7:00 p.m. game vs. Binghamton

Thursday, December 29 10:30 a.m. practice @ Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Friday, December 30 10:00 a.m. skate @ TBD

7:30 p.m. game vs. Hartford

Saturday, December 31 TBD

6:05 p.m. game @ Binghamton

Sunday, January 1 Off Day

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Syracuse is 4-1-1-0 in their last six games... Defenseman Marc Methot recorded a point in back-to-back games last weekend for the first time as a professional... Defenseman Jamie Pushor is one point shy of matching his point total from last season (10 points)... Left wing Greg Mauldin is four games shy of 100 career AHL games.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2005


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