AHL Syracuse Crunch

Week 29 - Crunch Clinch Playoff Berth

Published on April 16, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


It took 76 games for the Crunch to determine their fate. And it was worth the wait. The Crunch clinched a postseason berth for the first time since 2008 with a 2-1 win over Albany on Sunday - the final day of the regular season. It was a tense afternoon as the Crunch went into the final day leading Portland and Manchester by just one point. A tie in the standings with both Manchester and Portland would have put the Crunch on the outside of the playoff picture, looking in. An earlier Manchester victory against St. John's meant the Crunch needed to win to get in or hope for a Providence win over Portland, who was leading for much of the game, going on simultaneously with the Crunch's contest in Albany. The Devils took a late lead in the first period, setting up a dramatic final 40 minutes. In the second period, the Crunch struck twice, first from John Mitchell and then Emerson Etem, playing in just his second professional game. Iiro Tarkki did the rest, stopping a total of 34 shots, including 13 in the third period. The win clinched the seventh spot, pitting them against the Atlantic Division-champion St. John's IceCaps in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

ASTONISHING 20-GAME RECORD TO CLOSE OUT THE SEASON: If you thought the 2010-11 Syracuse Crunch's run of 15-5 to end the season was spectacular, this season's team did two points better. On March 3, the Crunch sat in 14th place in the Eastern Conference, nine points back of the eighth-place Manchester Monarchs. Forty-four days later the top eight teams in the Eastern Conference stayed in their respective spots, minus the seventh-place Albany Devils, who swapped places with the Crunch by season's end. The Crunch's run of 15-3-1-1 in the last 20 games was topped only by the Norfolk Admirals, who finished off the season 28-0-0-0. Offensively, Peter Holland led the way in that span with 19 points (5g, 14a), earning Rookie of the Month Honors for March. Patrick Maroon was second with 18 points and Riley Holzapfel had 15. Backstopping the Crunch to their impressive run was Iiro Tarkki, who went 13-2-0, with a 1.99 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage. During the final 20 games, the Crunch went 11-1-1-1 in one-goal games. They also went 6-1 in the shootout to give them a league-high eight shootout wins on the season.

UPCOMING OPPONENTS:

ST. JOHN'S (WINNIPEG JETS): Despite being the lower seed, the Crunch find themselves in a favorable matchup in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals against the second seeded St. John's IceCaps. The Crunch went 3-1 against St. John's this season, winning the last three contests, including two games in March at the War Memorial. The Crunch began their turnaround on March 3 against the IceCaps, when they came from 4-2 down in the third period for a 6-4 victory. The Crunch then topped the IceCaps 5-4 in a shootout on March 23. St. John's received a full group of reinforcements from Winnipeg, after they failed to reach the Stanley Cup playoffs. Returning players included leading scorer Spencer Machacek, Patrice Cormier and former Anaheim Ducks forward Ben Maxwell. Defenseman Paul Postma was named to the AHL's First All-Star Team with 44 points in 56 games. Rookie goaltender Eddie Pasquale has been a mainstay in goal with 23-12-1 record, a 2.41 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage. Kyle Palmieri leads the Crunch with five goals and eight points against the IceCaps this season. Jason DeSantis and Aaron Gagnon each have six points against the Crunch to lead St. John's.

PLAYOFF TICKETS ON SALE NOW: Tickets for game one and two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals are on sale now and can be purchased by calling the Crunch office at 315-473-444. The first round schedule is as follows;

Friday, April 20 vs. St. John's - 7:30 p.m. War Memorial Arena

Saturday, April 21 vs. St. John's - 7:30 p.m. War Memorial Arena

Wednesday, April 25 @ St. John's 6:00 p.m. Mile One Centre

Friday, April 27 @ St. John's 6:00 p.m. Mile One Centre (if necessary)

Saturday, April 28 @ St. John's 6:00 p.m. Mile One Centre (if necessary)

(all times listed are Eastern Standard Time)

Sunday, April 22 TBD

CRUNCHABLES: Patrick Maroon finished third in the AHL in scoring with 74 points. That single-season total is sixth highest in Crunch history...Kyle Palmieri ranked tied for third in goals with 33. That single-season total is seventh highest in Crunch history...Peter Holland finished fourth in rookie scoring with 60 points, ranking him fifth all-time in Crunch's rookie single-season list...Iiro Tarkki's .925 save percentage ranked sixth in the AHL...Riley Holzapfel led the league in shooting percentage at 24.2% (16 for 66)...

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American Hockey League Stories from April 16, 2012


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