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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Leclaire Records Second Shutout

March 8, 2004 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


LECLAIRE'S SATURDAY NIGHT: Crunch goaltender Pascal Leclaire recorded 50 saves, including 24 in the third period, to lead the Crunch to a 1-0 victory over the Manitoba Moose on Saturday night in a game that saw Syracuse out shot by an amazing 50-9. The victory was Leclaire's 16th this season, a total that doubles his win total from his rookie season. The shutout was the second of the season for Leclaire. In 34 games with the Crunch this season, Leclaire has a 16-12-3 mark with a 2.93 goals against average and a .919 save percentage. He made his NHL debut on February 20 @ Phoenix, recording 31 saves in a 3-2 loss. In two games with Columbus this season he has a 0-2-0 mark with a 3.53 goals against average and a .899 save percentage. A native of Repentigny, Quebec, Leclaire was selected by Columbus with their first pick, 8th overall, in the 2001 Entry Draft.

SHOOTING BLANKS: The Crunch's nine shots against Manitoba on Saturday night set a franchise record for fewest shots taken in a game. The previous mark of 14 was set on February 9, 2002 @ Norfolk.

MORAN MOVES INTO THIRD ON POINTS LIST: Center Brad Moran (154 points) moved into sole possession of third on the Crunch's all-time points list on Friday night, recording a goal in the Crunch's 4-4 tie @ Manitoba. He enters this week trailing Mark Wotton (164 points) by 10 points for second. On Saturday night, Moran moved into sole possession of third place on the club's game-winning goals list, netting the 11th of his career. Moran trails Lonny Bohonos (14) and Brian Loney (14) by three for the all-time lead.

PLAYOFF RACES BEGIN TO TAKE SHAPE: Syracuse (62 games – 71 points) enters this week eight points behind Hamilton (65 games – 79 points) for first place in the North Division and one point ahead of third place Cleveland (63 games – 70 points). The Crunch are four points ahead of Rochester (62 games – 66 points), four points ahead of Toronto (64 games – 66 points), eleven points ahead of St. John's (62 games – 60 points) and twelve points ahead of Manitoba (65 games – 59 points). Fourteen of the Crunch's 18 remaining games will be against the North Division rivals.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Friday, March 12:

Wild Thornberry Night: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Timer Warner Cable announced that Donnie and Eliza from the Wild Thornberrys will be at the Crunch's Friday, March 12 game against the Albany River Rats.

A truly "wild" boy, the Thornberry family came upon Donnie in the jungles of Borneo. Donnie is as at home with a troupe of chimpanzees or a pack of hyenas as he is with the Thornberrys. He has been observed climbing into the mouths of pythons, biting ferocious animals' tails, and feeding on insects. His development in the wild has afforded him a sort of "sixth sense." Miraculously, he can detect whenever danger is in the air. He has become more than a revolutionary discovery or a remarkable specimen to the Thornberrys though – he has become a member of the family.

For 12-year-old Eliza Thornberry, traveling the world with her family in a tricked-out van and carrying on conversations with animals are just everyday adventures. Eliza's parents produce nature documentaries and wander the globe in search of exotic creatures and cultures. After a run-in with a local healer, Eliza was suddenly able to talk to animals – in their own language! And while her parents are hard at work documenting wildlife from afar, Eliza learns about the animal world up close – sometimes a little too close for comfort!

Donnie and Eliza will be available during the first and second intermission in Memorial Hall to take photos and sign autographs.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo Night: The Syracuse Crunch, along with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo have announced that Friday, March 12 against the Albany River Rats will be Rosamond Gifford Zoo Night at the Crunch.

Fun zoo trivia will take place throughout the evening, information tables, some zoo creatures will be on hand and prizes will be given away from the Zoo. The Zoo's Humphrey the Humboldt Penguin and Whiskers the Tiger will also be at the game.

As part of the ‘PayBack Time' fundraising program the Syracuse Crunch put together, for each person that purchases their tickets for $15 through the Rosamond Gifford Zoo for the March 12 game $5 will be donated to the Zoo.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo is celebrating its 90th anniversary.

The Zoo has grown from 4 acres in 1914 to over 1,000 animals on more than 45 acres today. As an accredited member of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo works with zoos and aquariums around the country to attain a high standard of animal care and to ensure the survival of many threatened and endangered species. Thirty-four threatened or endangered species reside at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo.

With both indoors and outdoors exhibits, the Rosamond Gifford Zoo is a fun place to bring the family year-round. During CNY winters, Zoo visitors get to enjoy the wonderful animals in our indoor exhibits, from Rainforest primates to Nemo and his aquarium friends to birds that reside in their tropical paradise in Diversity of Birds. They are also able to see animals on the Wildlife Trail that are in their natural elements during winter, thriving in the colder temperatures.

For more information on Zoo News, upcoming programs or events, call (315) 435-8511 or visit www.rosamondgiffordzoo.org.

Saturday, March 13:

Cintas Rally Towel Night: The Syracuse Crunch announced that their Saturday, March 13 game against St. John's will be Cintas Rally Towel Night.

The first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Crunch rally towel, courtesy of Cintas.

Friday, March 19:

Kinney Drugs Puck Night: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Friday, March 19 against Manitoba will be Kinney Drugs Puck Night.

The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Crunch puck courtesy of Kinney Drugs.

Saturday, March 20:

Taco Bell Night: The Syracuse Crunch announced that the Saturday, March 20 game against the Rochester Americans is Taco Bell Night at the Crunch.

Local Taco Bell stores will serve as outlets for vouchers good for discounted tickets to Taco Bell Night at the Crunch, courtesy of Taco Bell.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

ALBANY (NEW JERSEY DEVILS): Syracuse concludes their six-game road trip in Albany on Wednesday, March 10, before hosting the River Rats on Friday, March 12 for the second and third of four regular season meetings between the clubs. Syracuse leads the series 1-0-0, after defeating Albany 7-4 in their last meeting on February January 3 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Center Mark Hartigan (4g) and right wing Joe Motzko (1g, 3a) pace all players in head-to-head scoring with four points. Defenseman Raymond Giroux leads the River Rats with three points (2g, 1a). Pascal Leclaire appeared in net for Syracuse, recording 19 saves. Scott Clemmensen recorded 24 saves for Albany. Lifetime, the Crunch are 33-33-9 against the River Rats.

ST. JOHN'S (TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS): On Saturday, March 13 Syracuse hosts St. John's for the fourth of eight regular season meeting between the clubs. Syracuse leads the series 2-1, after defeating St. John's 4-2 in their last meeting on Febraury 4 at Mile One Stadium. Defenseman Derrick Walser paces all players with four points (2g, 2a) in head-to-head scoring. Several Maple Leafs players lead the team with two points each. Karl Goehring has appeared in two games for Syracuse, posting a 2-0-0 record, a 1.50 goals against average and a .949 save percentage. Sebastien Centomo has appeared in two games for St. John's, posting a 1-1-0 record, a 3.51 goals against average and .891 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch are 15-8-0 against the Maple Leafs.

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COLUMBUS UPDATE: The Blue Jackets (20-36-8-4, 52 points) enter this week in fourth place, 21 points behind St. Louis (73) in the Central Division. Left wing Rick Nash is tied with Ilya Kovalchuk (Atlanta) for first in the NHL with 36 goals and paces Columbus with 50 points (36g, 14a). There are currently seven players on the Columbus roster that have appeared in a Crunch jersey (Jody Shelley, Duvie Westcott, Aaron Johnson, Fred Brathwaite, Tim Jackman, Darrel Scoville and Anders Eriksson).

INJURY UPDATE: Right wing Ben Knopp is expected to miss three weeks with a knee injury that he suffered on Saturday, February 28 @ Hamilton. He has missed four games with the injury... Through 62 games this season the Crunch have lost 80 man-games due to injury (Trent Cull – 19, Paul Traynor – 12, Brandon Sugden – 10, Zenith Komarniski – 8, Sean Connolly – 5, Andrej Nedorost -5, Ben Knopp – 4, Pauli Levokari – 4, Shawn Limpright – 4, Brad Moran – 3, David Ling – 2, Scott Cameron - 2, and Tyler Sloan - 2).

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

Tuesday, March 9 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Wednesday, March 10 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:00 p.m. game @ Albany

Thursday, March 11 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, March 12 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Albany

Saturday, March 13 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. St. John's

Sunday, March 14 Off Day

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Friday, March 5 was the first time defenseman Zenith Komarniski has played in Manitoba since Vancouver traded him to Columbus on October 30 and only the second time Komarniski (2a) has recorded a multiple point game this season... With his first goal on Friday, March 5 against Manitoba, Mike Pandolfo matched his goal total through 74 games last season... Manitoba's 24 shots on Syracuse in the third period on Saturday, March 6 set a new season high for most shots against in a period... Defenseman Paul Traynor appeared in his 250th American Hockey League game on Saturday night @ Manitoba... Left wing Jeremy Reich (595) enters this week 54 penalty minutes shy of tying John Badduke for the franchise mark of 649... The Crunch have had 43 different players dress for the team this season. Of those 43 players, 21 players that have played for Columbus and Syracuse this season.

2003-04 RECORD: 28-19-10-5, 71 points (15-7-6-3 home, 13-12-4-2 road), second place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Wednesday, March 10 @ Albany (16-29-11-7), 50 points, seventh place, East Division

Friday, March 12 vs. Albany (16-29-11-7), 50 points, seventh place, East Division

Saturday, March 13 vs. St. John's (25-27-7-3), 60 points, sixth place, North Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Wednesday, March 3 HAMILTON 2 OT Crunch 1

Friday, March 5 Crunch 4 OT MANITOBA 4

Saturday, March 6 Crunch 1 MANITOBA 0

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

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