AHL Syracuse Crunch

First Win In Chicago Highlights Road Trip

Published on November 3, 2003 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


CRUNCH WIN FIRST-EVER AT CHICAGO: The Crunch return to Syracuse today after an impressive 4-3 victory Sunday night, their first-ever at the Allstate Arena. The Crunch had lost all five (2 in regular season and 3 in Calder Cup playoff action) previous games played in Chicago.

KOMARNISKI RETURNS: Defenseman Zenith Komarniski returned to the Crunch line-up this weekend, appearing in all three games for Syracuse, marking his first appearance in a Crunch uniform since Game Four of the 2000 Conference Quarter Finals against the Hamilton Bulldogs. Syracuse acquired Komarniski from the Manitoba Moose in exchange for Sean Pronger on October 30. Komarniski appeared in 100 games with the Crunch from 1998-00, recording 13 goals, 31 assists and 219 penalty minutes. In 243 career AHL games with Syracuse and Manitoba, he has tallied 33 goals, 60 assists and 503 penalty minutes. Originally, selected by Vancouver in the third round, 75th overall, in the 1996 Entry Draft, Komarniski has appeared in 19 NHL games with Vancouver, recording one goal, one assist and 10 penalty minutes. He becomes the second player (Reggie Savage) to appear for the Crunch as a member of both the Columbus and Vancouver organizations.

MORAN AMONG AHL LEADERS: Crunch center Brad Moran (5g, 8a) enters this week tied with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Tom Kostopoulos (7g, 6a) and Springfield's Jeff Taffe (7g, 6a) for the American Hockey League's point lead with 13.

POWER PLAY RETURNS TO FORM: The Crunch's power play unit (25.5%, 14-for-55) returned to the top of the American Hockey League after a 3-for-4 performance Sunday night @ Chicago. Entering Sunday's game the club's power play was in a 1-for-22 spin dating back to their October 26 game in Rochester. In addition to their league best 25.5% rate, the Crunch lead the AHL with 14 power play goals.

COTE RETURNED TO DAYTON: The Crunch announced today that they have returned left wing Riley Cote to Dayton (ECHL). Cote, who was recalled on Sunday, November 2, appeared in one game with Syracuse without recording a point. In five games with the Bombers, the Winnipeg, Manitoba native has one goal, one assist and 35 penalty minutes.

UPCOMING APPEARANCES:

Tuesday, November 4

Tully's Autograph Signing: On Tuesday, November 4, Tim Jackman, Mike Pandolfo and Karl Goehring will be on hand at Tully's on Erie Blvd. from 7-8 p.m. to sign autographs.

All fans at the appearance will receive the first three of twenty Tully's oversized hockey cards - featuring Goehring, Jackman and Pandolfo. The Tully's oversized hockey cards are a limited edition set that will feature twenty different Crunch players throughout the 2003-04 season. Each Tully's oversized hockey card is available, for a limited time, at Crunch home games, with them purchase of a game program.

Wednesday, November 5

Best Buy In-Store Challenge: On Wednesday, November 5, Todd Rohloff, Paul Traynor, Aaron Johnson, Brandon Sugden and Tyler Sloan will be at Best Buy in the Carousel Mall from 6-7 p.m. to participate in the Best Buy In-store Challenge. During the appearance, fans will have an opportunity to challenge the Crunch players to a game of video hockey, with the winner receiving various prizes from the Crunch.

Tuesday, November 11

Kinney Drugs Signing: On Tuesday, November 11, Pascal Leclaire, Darrel Scoville, Ben Knopp and Joe Motzko will be on hand at Kinney Drugs in Auburn from 3-4 p.m. to sign autographs.

Wednesday, November 12

Sleep City Autograph Signing: On Wednesday, November 12, Brandon Sugden and Jeremy Reich will be on hand at Sleep City on Erie Blvd, from 6-7 p.m. to sign autographs.

Friday, November 14

Hess Autograph Signings: On Friday, November 14, Tyler Sloan and Karl Goehring will be on hand at Hess on 7th North Street from 4-6 p.m. and Tim Jackman and Mike Pandolfo will be at Hess located on the corner of Henry Clay and Taft Road from 4-6 p.m. to sign autographs.

Sunday, November 16

Bob Evans Brunch With The Crunch: On Sunday, November 16, Mark Hartigan, Darrel Scoville, Jeremy Reich and Joe Motzko will be at Bob Evans in Liverpool on 7th North Street at 11 a.m. Fans will be able to eat breakfast with their favorite Crunch players and receive autographs. The cost for the breakfast is $10, which includes bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, coffee, orange juice and a Crunch tickets voucher. Tickets for the breakfast can be purchased by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

November

CellBucks In-Game Auction: During each Crunch home game for the 2003-04 season the Crunch and CellBucks will hold an in-game auction featuring a special Crunch item.

To participate in the auction, fans must be registered with CellBucks. Registration is free and can be done by visiting www.CellBucks.com and completing a quick start sign-up form. After you are a registered user, you will be eligible to participate in CellBucks in-game auctions and order food delivered directly to your seat!

Each month during the regular season, the Crunch will feature the CellBucks in-game auction items on the front page of their website, encouraging people to sign up and bid prior to the game.

November

November 7 – Autographed Replica Jersey

November 15 – Autographed Stick

November 21 – Replica Third Jersey

November 22 – ‘02-'03 Game Worn Warm-up Jersey

November 28 – Autographed Replica Jersey

CellBucks continues to provide Crunch fans with wireless food and beverage in-seat service. Fast, convenient and safe, this service allows fans to order and pay for food and beverages at the press of button – and have it delivered right to your seat. Visit www.CellBucks.com to register now!

Friday, November 7

Finding Nemo Night at the Crunch: The Crunch's Friday, November 7 game against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton will be Finding Nemo Night at the Crunch. All children (ages 16 and under) in attendance that night will receive a Finding Nemo trading card, as they enter the War Memorial at Oncenter. A select number of the trading cards will be marked with a silver fish. The children who receive these specially marked cards will have an opportunity to win a Finding Nemo DVD/VHS by participating in a promotion under the ice (in the Crunch Club).

Prior to the game a Nemo plush doll will be hidden in the War Memorial. The child who finds Nemo will win a X-Box Finding Nemo video game. In honor of the November 4 release of Disney/Pixar's release of Finding Nemo, Radio Disney will be on hand throughout the night giving-away Finding Nemo items, including posters, Nemo and Dory masks, t-shirts, coloring sheets, fake tattoos and key chains.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON (PITTSBURGH PENGUINS): Syracuse plays Wilkes-Barre in a home-and-home series beginning Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 for the third and fourth of eight regular season meetings. The season series is tied at one after the Penguins shutout Syracuse 3-0 on October 29. Several players on both teams are tied at two points a piece. Pascal Leclaire and Andy Chiodo recorded the wins for their respective teams. Lifetime, the Crunch are 21-13-6 against the Penguins.

INJURY UPDATE: Defenseman Trent Cull is expected to miss four to six weeks with a broken foot that he suffered on October 28... Defenseman Paul Traynor is listed as day-to-day with a bruised foot that he suffered on October 29 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton... Defenseman Sean Connolly is listed as day-to-day with a separated shoulder he suffered on November 1 against Cincinnati.

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

Tuesday, November 4 10:30 a.m. practice @ Tsha'Hon'Nonyen'Dakhwa

Wednesday, November 5 10:30 a.m. practice @ Tsha'Hon'Nonyen'Dakhwa

Thursday, November 6 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, November 7 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Wilkes-Barre

Saturday, November 8 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:05 p.m. game @ Wilkes-Barre

Sunday, November 9 OFF

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch had a surprised opponent on Friday night, October 31 when the Milwaukee Admirals announced prior to game time that they have signed former Crunch star Reggie Savage to a professional try-out contract. Savage, the Crunch's fifth all-time leading scorer, finished the game without any points and three shots on goal... Left wing Jeremy Reich is three penalty minutes shy of 500 career.

2003-04 RECORD: 6-3-2-0, 14 points (3-0-1-0 home, 3-3-1-0 road), first place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, November 7 vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (6-3-1-0), 13 points, third place, East Division

Saturday, November 8 @ Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (6-3-1-0), 13 points, third place, East Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Wednesday, October 29 WILKES-BARRE 3 Crunch 0

Friday, October 31 MILWAUKEE 2 Crunch 0

Saturday, November 1 Crunch 2 OT CINCINNATI 2

Sunday, November 2 Crunch 4 CHICAGO 3

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from November 3, 2003


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