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Published on December 12, 2005 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release

COLUMBUS RECALLS GOERTZEN, REASSIGNS MOTZKO - SZWEZ RECALLED BY SYRACUSE: The Syracuse Crunch announced today that the Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled right wing Steven Goertzen from Syracuse and have reassigned right wing Joe Motzko to Syracuse. The team also announced that they have recalled center Jeff Szwez from Dayton (ECHL).

Goertzen, 21, has appeared in seven games with Syracuse this season, recording one goal, one assist and nine penalty minutes. In 20 NHL games, all with Columbus, Goertzen has registered 24 penalty minutes. A native of Stony Plain, Alberta, Goertzen was selected by Columbus in the seventh round, 225th overall, in the 2002 Entry Draft.

Motzko, 25, has appeared in two games with Columbus this season. In 17 games with Syracuse this season Motzko has recorded 3 goals, 11 assists and 12 penalty minutes. In 168 career AHL games, all with Syracuse, Motzko has 48 goals, 73 assists and 122 penalty minutes. A native of Bemidji, MN, Motzko was signed as a free agent by Columbus on May 15, 2003.

Szwez, 24, has appeared in 22 games with Dayton this season, recording 13 goals, 9 assists and 30 penalty minutes. A native of Etobicoke, Ontario, Szwez has appeared in 12 career AHL games with Binghamton and Bridgeport, tallying one goal and five penalty minutes.

GETTING BUSY: The Crunch returns to action this week with a stretch of games that has them playing five times in six nights. Syracuse begins the week by traveling to Winnipeg for consecutive games against the Moose on Tuesday and Wednesday night. The Crunch will then travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for a match-up against the Penguins on Friday night before returning home for games on Saturday against Philadelphia and Sunday against Grand Rapids.

THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS:

MANITOBA (VANCOUVER CANUCKS): Syracuse begins their five-game in six nights stretch on Tuesday, December 13 and Wednesday, December 14 at the MTS Centre for the first and second of four regular season games against the Moose. Right wing Jesse Schultz leads Manitoba with 23 points (15g, 8a) in 30 games. Goaltender Wade Flaherty has appeared in 19 games for the Moose, posting a 10-6-2 record, a 2.37 goals against average and a .923 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch are 3-4-1 against the Moose.

WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON (PITTSBURGH PENGUINS): The Crunch travel to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Friday, December 16 to play the Penguins for the third of eight regular season meetings. Syracuse loss to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 5-1 in their last meeting on October 29 at Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. Center Matt Hussey leads all players in head-to-head scoring with five points (2g, 3a). Center Ben Simon leads all Crunch players in head-to-head scoring with two points (2a). Goaltenders Pascal Leclaire (0-1-0) and Andrew Penner (0-1-0) have split time in net for Syracuse. Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury has appeared in both games for the Penguins, posting a 2-0-0 record. Lifetime, Syracuse is 29-20-7 against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

PHILADELPHIA (PHILADELPHIA FLYERS): The Crunch return home on Saturday, December 17 to host Philadelphia for the second and final regular season meetings. Syracuse defeated Philadelphia 4-2 in their last meeting on December 4 at Wachovia Spectrum. Center Andrew Murray leads all players in head-to-head scoring with two points (1g, 1a). Several Phantoms players have one point each in head-to-head scoring. Goaltender Pascal Leclaire posted the victory for the Crunch, recording 42 saves. Goaltender Jamie Storr was credit with the loss for Philadelphia, recording 24 saves. Lifetime, the Crunch are 13-16-8 against the Phantoms.

GRAND RAPIDS (DETROIT RED WINGS): On Sunday, December 17 the Crunch host Grand Rapids for the third of six regular season meetings. Grand Rapids defeated Syracuse 3-2 in their last meeting on November 5 at Van Andel Arena. Center Eric Manlow leads all players in head-to-head scoring with four points (2g, 2a). Defenseman Aaron Johnson leads the Crunch in head-to-head scoring with three points (3a). Goaltender Pascal Leclaire posted a 0-2-0 record and for Syracuse. Goaltenders Drew MacIntyre (1-0-0) and Jimmy Howard (1-0-0) have split time in net for Grand Rapids. Lifetime, the Crunch are 1-5-0 against the Griffins.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Aaron Johnson and Joe Motzko to Sign Autographs at Advance Auto Parts: Defenseman Aaron Johnson and right wing Joe Motzko will be at the Advance Auto Parts in Fairmount on Monday, December 19.

Johnson and Motzko will be available from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, December 19 to sign autographs and take pictures. Advance Auto Parts is located at 3510 West Genesee Street. Call 468-2250 for directions.

Crunch Announce Details of Time Warner Cable Hockey Mom of the Year Program: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Time Warner Cable, introduced the Time Warner Cable Hockey Mom of the Year program to salute the hockey moms who dedicate their time and energy to taking their kids to hockey practices through all kinds of weather and at all hours.

During the 2005-06 season, youth hockey kids will be encouraged to nominate their mom as the Time Warner Cable Hockey Mom of the Year. The child must write an essay, up to 250 words, giving reason why their mom is Hockey Mom of the Year. The application can be mailed, emailed or dropped off at the Crunch office.

A panel of judges, including Crunch/Time Warner Cable management and Crunch players will select one (1) winner each month. Each monthly winner will receive four (4) tickets to a Crunch game, participate in a ceremonial face-off, a prize pack from Time Warner Cable and a post game tour of the locker room for up to four (4) people.

All winners will be eligible to win the Grand Prize, which includes a one (1) year membership to Gold's Gym, a spa gift certificate and dinner for two (2) to an area restaurant.

Applications are available on the Crunch's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com) and at the Advance Auto Parts Guest Service Center at all Crunch home games.

Crunch Announce Details of Advance Auto Parts Fan of the Year Contest: The Syracuse Crunch, along with Advance Auto Parts, introduced the Advance Auto Parts Fan of Year program to salute the loyal hockey fans who dedicate their time and energy following the Crunch.

Beginning November 7 and running through March 20, the Crunch will select one (1) fan as a finalist for the Advance Auto Parts Fan of the Year. Each of the twenty (20) finalists will be featured on the Crunch's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com), receive a "Best PART of the Crunch" t-shirt and a gift certificate to Advance Auto Parts.

A panel of judges, including Crunch/Advance Auto Parts management and Crunch players will select three (3) finalists from the twenty (20) featured fans. Crunch fans will then select the Advance Auto Parts Fan of the Year through in-arena and website voting.

The winner will be announced prior to the final home game of the season during an on-ice presentation.

Applications are available on the Crunch's official website (www.syracusecrunch.com) and at the Advance Auto Parts Guest Service Center at all Crunch home games.

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

Tuesday, December 13 11:15 p.m. (EST) skate @ MTS Centre

8:30 p.m. (EST) game @ Manitoba

Wednesday, December 14 11:15 p.m. (EST) skate @ MTS Centre

8:30 p.m. (EST) game @ Manitoba

Thursday, December 15 Travel Day

Friday, December 16 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

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

Saturday, December 17 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial

7:30 p.m. game vs. Philadelphia

Sunday, December 18 5:00 p.m. game vs. Grand Rapids

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Syracuse has recorded a point in seven of their last eight games (5-1-1-1, 12 pts)... Friday night against Hamilton was the second time this season that Syracuse had participated in a shootout. Andrew Penner has appeared in both shootouts with a 1-1 record... With his assist on Friday night defenseman Andy Canzanello tallied a point in back- to-back games for the first time this season... Right wing Tim Konsorada made his AHL debut with Syracuse Saturday night against Toronto... Defenseman Aaron Johnson is three games shy of appearing in his 150th career AHL game... With left wing Joakim Lindstrom missing Saturday night's game against Toronto due to a shoulder injury, defenseman Jamie Pushor is the only player to appear in all 23 games this season.

2005-06 RECORD: 12-9-1-1, 26 points (7-3-0-0 home, 5-6-1-1 road), fourth place, North Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Tuesday, December 13 @ Manitoba (18-9-1-2), 39 points, first place, North Division