AHL Syracuse Crunch

Moran Becomes All-Time Leading Scorer

March 28, 2005 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


PLAYOFF RACE HEATS UP: The Crunch enter this week with three pivotal home games against North Division rivals, St. John's (Wednesday), Manitoba (Friday) and Hamilton (Saturday). After last weekend's split in Cleveland, Syracuse (72 points – 11 games left) finds themselves two points behind Hamilton (74 points – 10 games left) for the fourth and final playoff spot in the North Division. Cleveland (70 points – 10 games left) and Edmonton (70 points – 10 games left) trails the Crunch by two points and Hamilton by four points.

MORAN BECOMES CRUNCH'S ALL-TIME SCORING LEADER: Center Brad Moran became the Crunch's all-time points leader on Friday, March 25, recording a goal and an assist for his 231st and 232nd career points. He entered the game tied with Lonny Bohonos (230) for the lead. A native of Abbotsford, BC, Moran is the Crunch's all-time leader in assists (132), power play goals (37), short-handed goals (9) and games played (318). He is second in goals (97) and game-winning goals (13).

WHAT A STRETCH!: Centers Brad Moran and Mark Hartigan have been on an offensive tear of late. Moran has tallied 25 points (7g, 18a) in his last 14 games and Hartigan has recorded 22 points (13g, 8a) in his last 13 games.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

ST. JOHN'S (TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS): Syracuse hosts St. John's on Wednesday, March 30 for the eighth and final regular season meeting between the teams this season. Syracuse leads the series 4-3, after defeating St. John's 4-2, on January 21 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Centers Mark Hartigan (4g, 4a) and Brad Moran (3g, 5a) lead all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with eight points. Former Crunch player David Ling (4g, 4a) leads all Maple Leafs players in head-to-head scoring with eight points. Karl Goehring has appeared in four games for Syracuse, posting a 1-2-0 record, a 3.14 gaa and a .872 save percentage. Mikael Tellqvist has appeared in five games for St. John's, posting a 1-3-1 record, a 2.97 gaa and a .918. Lifetime, the Crunch are 22-13-0 against the Maple Leafs.

MANITOBA (VANCOUVER CANUCKS): Manitoba travels to Syracuse on Friday, April 1 for the second of four regular season meetings between the teams this season. Syracuse defeated the Moose 5-3 in their only other meeting this season, February 24 at the War Memorial at Oncenter. Center Brad Moran (2g), center Mark Hartigan (1g, 1a) and right wing Tim Jackman (2a) lead Crunch players with two points in head-to-head scoring. Josh Green (1g, 1a) leads the Moose in head-to-head scoring with two points. Karl Goehring appeared in net for Syracuse, recording 39 saves in the win. Wade Flaherty and Alex Auld split time in net for Manitoba. Lifetime, the Crunch are 2-2-1 against the Moose.

HAMILTON (MONTREAL CANADIENS): On Saturday, April 2, Hamilton visits Syracuse for the fifth of six regular season meetings between the teams this season. The series is tied at two, after Hamilton shutout Syracuse 3-0 on January 28 at Copps Coliseum. Center Charlie Higgins (3g, 2a) leads all players with five points in head-to-head scoring. Several Crunch players are tied with three points each in head-to-head scoring. Karl Goehring has appeared in three games for Syracuse, posting a 1-2-0, a 2.23 gaa and a .917 save percentage. Yann Danis has appeared in four games for Hamilton, posting a 2-1-1 record, a 1.93 gaa and a .946 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch are 4-5-1 against the Road Runners.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Crunch Jersey Auction Begins: The Syracuse Crunch announced that their 2004-05 game-worn jersey auction has begun.

Available for the auction this year are the teams' home jerseys (blue color), road jerseys (white color), third jerseys (red color) and St. Patrick's Day jerseys (green color). All of the available Crunch jerseys can be viewed on the Crunch's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com).

Fans can bid on Syracuse's 2004-05 game-worn jerseys at remaining Crunch home games or on the Crunch's official website www.syracusecrunch.com/shop/jersey_auction_new.cfm.

Bids must be made in $20 increments (for example - if current bid is $500, bids of $520, $540, $560, etc... will be accepted)

All winning bids will be notified within 48 hours of the conclusion of the auction. The auction will conclude Wednesday, April 13 at 5 p.m.

Winners are responsible for shipping and handling costs. Jerseys are not autographed.

Friday, April 1

Beach Night at the Crunch Set For April 1 -- Game to Feature a Performance by The Island Band: The Syracuse Crunch announced that their April 1 game against Manitoba will be Beach Night at the Crunch.

At their April 1 game against Manitoba, The Island Band will be on hand to perform throughout the game. The first 1,000 fans in attendance that night will receive a leis in celebration of Beach Night.

Any fan that wears shorts to the game will receive a ticket for $10 (a savings of up to $6). Throughout the night a pair of sunglasses and tanning packages will be given out as prizes in special limbo and hula hoop contests. Special tropical drinks will be featured at concession stands.

The Island Band has played at such events as the New York State Fair, MD Fourth-of-July Parade and the Santa Parade in Nappanee, Canada.

Saturday, April 2

Rosamond Gifford Zoo Night at the Crunch: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Saturday, April 2 will be Rosamond Gifford Zoo Night at the Crunch.

On April 2, Humphrey, The Rosamond Gifford Zoo's Humboldt penguin costume character, will participate in a ceremonial puck drop. Throughout the night zoo t-shirts and two (2) zoo family four (4) packs will be given away. In addition, fans that visit the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, prior to the night, will receive a discount voucher for a $10 ticket to the April 2 game.

Humphrey is a representative of the Humboldt penguins that will be arriving at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in early May. These penguins, which are native to the coasts of Peru and Chile, will be featured in the zoo's new exhibit, Penguin Coast. Humboldt penguins are not fast on top of the ice, however they can swim through water at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.

Crunch Announce New York State Lottery Night: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Saturday, April 2 will be New York State Lottery Night at the Crunch.

The first 500 fans, 18 and over, in attendance will receive a Lotto coupon courtesy of New York State Lottery. In addition, New State Lottery will put 50 logo stickers in Crunch Times, the official game night program of the Syracuse Crunch. Fans that purchase a program with the Lottery logo can bring their game night program to the New York State Lottery table to redeem a prize from the New York State Lottery.

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

Tuesday, March 29 10:30 a.m. practice @ Meacham

Wednesday, March 30 10:15 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:00 p.m. game vs. St. John's

Thursday, March 31 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, April 1 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Manitoba

Saturday, April 2 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Hamilton

Sunday, April 3 Off Day

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: The Crunch's 18 shots in their 4-3 victory over Cleveland on March 25 were a season low... Right wing Brandon Sugden moved into fourth on the Crunch's all-time penalty minutes list on March 26, recording his 489th minute. Sugden now trails Jody Shelley (522) by 33 for third place... Defenseman Jamie Pushor appeared in his 800th professional game on March 25 @ Cleveland... Former second round pick Joakim Lindstrom made his professional and Crunch debut, March 25 @ Cleveland.

2004-05 RECORD: 31-28-6-4, 72 points (16-13-4-2 home, 15-15-2-2 road), fifth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Wednesday, March 30 vs. St. John's (40-26-1-3), 84 points, third place, North Division

Friday, April 1 vs. Manitoba (39-20-3-7), 88 points, second place, North Division

Saturday, April 2 vs. Hamilton (31-27-7-5), 74 points, fourth place, North Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Wednesday, March 23 Chicago 7 CRUNCH 6

Friday, March 25 Crunch 4 CLEVELAND 3

Saturday, March 26 CLEVELAND 3 Crunch 1

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from March 28, 2005


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