AHL Syracuse Crunch

Picard Paces Crunch

Published on February 26, 2007 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


PICARD RACKS UP THE POINTS: Left wing Alexandre Picard had a strong showing last week, tallying two goals and three assists in three games. During the 2006-07 season, Picard has been recalled five times by Columbus, appearing in nine games without recording a point. In 45 games with Syracuse this season, Picard has tallied 10 goals, 17 assists and 73 penalty minutes. His 27 points this season are three shy of matching his total from his rookie season. Picard was drafted by Columbus in the first round, 8th overall, in the 2004 Entry Draft.

PLATT'S WHIRLWIND TRAVEL: Center Geoff Platt tallied seven points (4g, 3a) last week as Syracuse went 3-0-0-1, earning him a shot in the NHL again. On Saturday, February 24 Platt was recalled by Columbus and appeared in the Blue Jackets 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Platt was reassigned by Columbus on Sunday, February 25, only to get the call once again this afternoon, where he is expected to meet the team in Colorado.

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE COLUMBUS UPDATE: The Blue Jackets went 1-1-0-2 last week, winning on Saturday night against the New York Rangers. Former Crunch players Anders Eriksson (1g) and Jody Shelley (1g) had goals last week. Shelley's goal was the first of the season for him. Goaltender Ty Conklin was in net for the 4-3 shootout loss against Nashville.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

ALBANY (CAROLINA HURRICANS/COLORADO AVALANCHE): On Friday, March 2 Syracuse hosts Albany for the fifth of eight regular season meetings between the clubs. The Crunch are 2-1-1-0 against the River Rats, after losing to Albany 4-2 on January 24 at Pepsi Arena. Defenseman Derrick Walser leads all players in head-to-head scoring with five points (1g, 4a). Left wing Ryan Bayda leads all Albany players in head-to-head scoring with four points (2g, 2a). Goaltender Tomas Popperle has appeared in three games for Syracuse posting a 1-2-0 record, a 3.69 goals against average and a .871 save percentage. Goaltender Tyler Weiman has appeared in three games for Albany, posting a 1-2-0 record, a 4.30 goals against average and a .884 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch are 44-39-9 against the River Rats.

GRAND RAPIDS (DETROIT RED WINGS): The Crunch host the Griffins on Saturday, March 3 for the third of four regular season meetings between the clubs. The Crunch are 0-1-0-1 against Grand Rapids after dropping a 4-3 shootout decision on February 21 at Van Andel Arena. Center Andrew Murray (1g, 2a) leads all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with three points. Center Jeff Campbell (2g, 1a) and right wing Darryl Bootland (3a) lead the Griffins with three points in head-to-head scoring. Griffins goaltender Stefan Liv has appeared in both games posting a 2-0-0 record, a 2.88 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch are 1-9-2 against the Griffins.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

February 26

Celebrity Bartending Series Continues at Ale & Angus on February 26: Crunch players Steven Goertzen, Ryan Caldwell and Jeffrey Szwez will serve as celebrity bartenders at Ale & Angus from 5 - 7 p.m. on Monday, February 26. Ale & Angus is located at 238 Harrison Street in Syracuse. Call 426-9672 for directions.

All tips generated by the players that night will be donated to Vera House.

Crunch Players To Appear at DealMaker of Clay: Crunch players Philippe Dupuis and Jekabs Redlihs will be available from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Monday, February 26 to sign autographs and take pictures. DealMaker Ford of Clay is located on Route 31 in Clay. Call 622-0669 for directions.

February 27

Lindstrom and Murray to Sign Autographs at Quickway on February 27: Crunch players Joakim Lindstrom and Andrew Murray will be at the Quickway on Erie Blvd. on Tuesday, February 27 from 4-5 p.m. to sign autographs. Quickway is located at 2501 Erie Blvd. East. For directions please call 446-2900.

February 28

Celebrity Bartending Series Continues at Dodester's on February 28: Crunch players Andy Canzanello, Alexandre Picard and Darcy Verot will serve as celebrity bartenders at Dodester's from 5 - 7 p.m. on Wednesday, February 28. Dodester's is located at 120 St. Marks Ave. (at the very end of Fayette St. by Strathmore paints). For directions call 488-2411.

All tips generated by the players that night will be donated to the Central New York Cat Coalition. CNYCC is an all volunteer run organization whose objective is to help reduce the feral, stray cat overpopulation in CNY by non lethal means. Through their feed, spay, neuter and vaccinate program they manage the health of, find homes for or improve the living conditions of the homeless cat population. The organization does not have a shelter and the success of the program depends entirely on the volunteers and support of the public.

Crunch to Sign Autographs at Verizon Wireless on February 28: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Crunch players Curtis Glencross and Zenon Konopka will be at Verizon Wireless in Camillus on February 28 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. to sign autographs.

Glencross and Konopka will be available on Wednesday, February 28 from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless located at 5301 W. Genesee Street in Camillus to sign autographs. Call 320-2092 for directions.

Empire Vision Centers Poster Night II at the Crunch Set for March 2: The Syracuse Crunch announced that their Friday, March 2 game against Albany will be Empire Vision Centers Poster Night II at the Crunch.

The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a 2006-07 Crunch poster, compliments of Empire Vision Centers. This years' poster depicts the team in their third (red) jerseys at center ice, wearing sunglasses compliments of Empire Vision Centers.

Crunch Announce Details of March 2 Turning Stone Fan Appreciation Night: The Syracuse Crunch announced that the Friday, March 2 game against the Albany River Rats will be Turning Stone Fan Appreciation Night at the Crunch.

All fans, over the age of 18, can bring their ticket stub from the Crunch's home game on Friday, March 2 to the Diamond Card Registration desk for a choice of a $10 Meal Voucher, $10 Free Play Card, $10 Match Play Coupon or a Level 1 Bingo Coupon. Fans can redeem their March 2 ticket stub for up to five days after the game.

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

Tuesday, February 27 10:30 a.m. practice at Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Wednesday, February 28 10:30 a.m. practice at Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Thursday, March 1 10:30 a.m. practice at Tsha'Hon'nonyen'dakhwa

Friday, March 2 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Albany

Saturday, March 3 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Grand Rapids

Sunday, March 5 Off Day

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Defenseman Marc Methot made his NHL debut on Sunday, February 25 with Columbus... Syracuse's 5-2 win in Hamilton on Friday night snapped an eight-game road losing streak... Syracuse finished the month of February with a 5-4-1-2 record, the second month the team has finished over .500 this season... Goaltender Tomas Popperle posted his fourth shutout of the season, in the Crunch's 3-0 win over Manitoba on Saturday night... Defenseman Jamie Pushor's next point will be his 100th career AHL point.

2006-07 RECORD: 21-28-2-7, 51 points (12-12-2-2 home, 9-16-0-5 road), sixth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, March 2 vs. Albany (26-25-2-2), 56 points, fifth place, East Division

Saturday, February 24 vs. Grand Rapids (29-22-4-2), 64 points, fourth place, North Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULT

Wednesday, February 21 GRAND RAPIDS 4 SOL Crunch 3

Friday, February 23 Crunch 5 HAMILTON 2

Saturday, February 24 CRUNCH 3 Manitoba 0

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from February 26, 2007


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