AHL Syracuse Crunch

Playoffs in Sight

Published on March 14, 2006 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


PLAYOFF PUSH: The Syracuse Crunch enter this week looking to gain home ice advantage in the division semifinals of Calder Cup Playoffs. The Grand Rapids Griffins have clinched a playoff spot. Currently the Griffins have 14 games (7 home, 7 road) remaining, 11 of which are against division rivals (Cleveland -3, Manitoba - 3, Rochester - 3, Syracuse - 1 and Toronto 1. The second place Crunch have 14 games remaining as well with 10 games (10 home, 4 road) versus their division (Rochester - 4, Hamilton - 2, Toronto - 2, Manitoba - 1 and Grand Rapids - 1). Manitoba is holding down the number three spot with 15 games (10 home, 5 road) remaining, facing the North division in 11 of those 15 games (Grand Rapids - 3, Toronto - 3, Cleveland - 2, Hamilton - 1, Rochester - 1 and Syracuse - 1). Toronto is currently in the final playoff position with 16 games (10 home, 6 road) left in the regular season with 12 divisional games (Hamilton - 3, Manitoba - 3, Cleveland - 2, Syracuse - 2, Grand Rapids - 1 and Rochester - 1). Rochester has 15 games remaining (10 home, 5 road), 11 of them against division rivals (Syracuse - 4, Grand Rapids - 3, Cleveland - 1, Hamilton - 1, Manitoba - 1 and Toronto - 1). Hamilton has 12 regular season games (6 home, 6 road) remaining. The Bulldogs will face the North Division nine times (Toronto - 3, Cleveland - 2, Syracuse - 2, Manitoba - 1 and Toronto - 1). Cleveland also has 12 games remaining (6 home, 6 road). The Barons meet their division rivals in 10 times (Grand Rapids - 3, Hamilton - 2, Manitoba - 2, Toronto - 2 and Rochester - 1).

ST. PATRICK'S DAY CELEBRATION: The Syracuse Crunch announced they will wear their green St. Patrick's Day jerseys on Friday, March 17 against the Albany River Rats. This year's St. Patrick's Day jerseys are white, with green and gold trim, and features a shamrock behind the Crunch's crest. The St. Patrick's Day jersey will be available as part of the Crunch's game-worn jersey auction, which will begin that night.

CRUNCH GAME-WORN JERSEY AUCTION: The Syracuse Crunch announced that their 2005-06 game-worn jersey auction will begin on Friday, March 17 when Syracuse hosts Albany.

Available for the auction this year are the teams' home jerseys (white color), road jerseys (blue color), third jerseys (red color), theme jerseys, St. Patrick's Day jerseys and warm-up jerseys. All of the available Crunch jerseys can be viewed on the Crunch's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com) beginning Friday, March 17

Fans can bid on Syracuse's 2005-06 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, May 3 at 5 p.m.

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

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

ALBANY (NEW JERSEY DEVILS): Syracuse hosts Albany on Friday, March 17 for the fourth and final regular season game. The River Rats lead the series 2-1-0, after beating Syracuse 5-4 in overtime on February 26 at Pepsi Arena. Right wing Barry Tallackson (4g, 1a) leads all players in head-to-head scoring with five points. Crunch defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen (3a), center Peter Sarno (3a) and right wing Joe Motzko (1g, 2a) lead the Crunch in head-to-head scoring with three points. Goaltender Martin Prusek recorded 27 saves in the Crunch win. River Rats goaltender Frank Doyle has posted a 2-0-0 record. Lifetime, the Crunch are 39-37-9 against the River Rats.

PEORIA (ST. LOUIS BLUES): On Saturday, March 18 Syracuse hosts Peoria for the second and final regular season game. Peoria leads the series 1-0-0 after shutting out Syracuse 1-0 on February 7 at Carver Arena. Right wing Brendan Brooks scored the only goal of the games. Goaltender Andrew Penner recorded 28 saves in the loss. Peoria goaltender Reinhard Divis posted 24 saves in the win. Lifetime, the Crunch are 1-0-0 against the Rivermen.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Tuesday, March 14

Crunch Players to Sign Autographs at Verizon Wireless, March 14: The Syracuse Crunch announced that Crunch players Andy Canzanello and Ben Simon will be at Verizon Wireless in Clay on Tuesday, March 14 from 5-6 p.m. to sign autographs.

Verizon Wireless is located in B.J.'s Club in Clay (4145 Route 31). Fans do not need to be a B.J.'s Club member in order to attend this appearance. Call 701-4755 for directions.

Saturday, March 18

Quickway Food Stores Brandon Sugden Bobble Head Night Set For March 18: The Syracuse Crunch announced that their Saturday, March 18 game against Peoria will be Quickway Food Stores Brandon Sugden Bobble Head Night.

The first 1,000 kids (16 and under) in attendance will receive a Brandon Sugden bobble head, compliments of Quickway Food Stores. One bobble head voucher will be given to the first 1,000 kids (16 and under) as they enter the War Memorial at Oncenter. Vouchers can be redeemed following the game, across from the Crunch Club, in the basement level. The child must be present to receive the bobble head.

Crunch season ticket holders will receive a voucher in the mail that must be redeemed prior to March 28.

The limited edition bobble head features Brandon Sugden posed in his signature salute, wearing the team's home white jersey, complete with name and number.

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

Tuesday, March 14 11:00 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

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

Thursday, March 16 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, March 17 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Albany

Saturday, March 18 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Peoria

Sunday, March 19 Off Day

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Syracuse is two wins short of tying the home wins record of 22 (2001-02)... Defenseman Andy Delmore is within two assists of Chris O'Sullivan (1999-00) for most assists by a defenseman at 47. He is also five points short of tying O'Sullivan and Radim Bicanek (2000-01) for most points by a defenseman (65)... With Syracuse's win on Friday, March 10 over Rochester, the Crunch's next win will set a new mark for most wins in a season (39), set in 2001-02... Syracuse's 18 shots against Rochester on Sunday were the fewest by the Crunch this season... Syracuse's power play unit was only 2-for-25 this weekend, including being held scoreless on the power play in two of the teams' four games.

2005-06 RECORD: 39-21-4-2, 84 points (20-7-2-1 home, 19-14-2-1 road), second place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Friday, March 17 vs. Albany (23-36-3-2), 51 points, seventh place, Atlantic Division

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

Saturday, March 18 vs. Peoria (37-22-2-4), 80 points, third place, West Division

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

*Radio station subject to change.

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Wednesday, March 8 Crunch 5 WILKES-BARRE 0

Friday, March 10 CRUNCH 5 Rochester 2

Saturday, March 11 Toronto 2 CRUNCH 4

Sunday, March 12 ROCHESTER 5 Crunch 2

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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American Hockey League Stories from March 14, 2006


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