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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse Crunch Announce 2002-03 Schedule

August 1, 2002 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse, NY (August 1, 2002) - October 11, 2002. Mark that date down.

That's when the Syracuse Crunch opens its ninth American Hockey League season against the Hamilton Bulldogs (Edmonton Oilers/Montreal Canadiens). The Crunch will open their home schedule on October 19 against the Binghamton Senators (Ottawa Senators).

It is only the second time in the Crunch's nine-year history that they will begin the season on the road. The only other time was October 6, 2000, the first game in club history affiliated with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The 40-game home schedule includes 32 weekend dates with Saturday being the busiest home night for the Crunch with 16 games. Friday follows in order of frequency with 14 games. The Crunch will play six home games on Wednesday, two on Sunday and one on each Monday and Tuesday.

The Crunch will play 28 games against their Central Division foes (Rochester 12, Cincinnati 6, Cleveland 6 and Grand Rapids 4). Syracuse also has 24 contests against the South Division (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton 8, Hershey 6, Philadelphia 6 and Norfolk 4). In addition the Crunch will play Binghamton 8 times, Albany 6 times, Hamilton and St. John's 4 times each and Springfield, Bridgeport and the defending Calder Cup Champion Chicago Wolves 2 times each.

The Crunch play 6 games in October, 13 in November, 15 in December, 14 in January, 14 in February, 15 in March and 3 in April. The Crunch will play ten home games in February, the most of any month.

The longest home stand of the season is six games (February 14 - 22). The Crunch's longest road trip of the season is eight games (January 5 - 18). The Crunch will play three games in three nights nine times this season, two less than last season.

Notable games include February 7 (Cleveland) and 8 (Cincinnati) at the Nationwide Arena (home of the Crunch's NHL affiliate, the Columbus Blue Jackets). The games mark the second year in a row the Crunch will play two home games in Columbus. In addition to Binghamton's appearance on October 19, the Grand Rapids Griffins will make their first-ever War Memorial appearance on October 26. The Chicago Wolves will return to Syracuse on November 8 for a rematch of last seasons' Western Conference Semifinals.

Tickets for the NHL Classic III, featuring the Columbus Blue Jackets and Buffalo Sabres, are currently on sale and are priced at $30 and $24. Children (12 and under) cost $24. Season ticket holders can purchase additional seats for $20 a seat. NHL Classic III tickets and season ticket packages are available by calling the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444.

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