WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS: (Syracuse leads the best-of-seven series 2-0)
Game 1 Friday, April 26 CRUNCH 3 Chicago 0
Game 2 Saturday, April 27 CRUNCH 3 Chicago 1
Game 3 Monday, April 29 SYRACUSE @ Chicago
Game 4 Wednesday, May 1 SYRACUSE @ Chicago
*Game 5 Friday, May 3 SYRACUSE @ Chicago
*Game 6 Sunday, May 5 Chicago @ SYRACUSE
*Game 7 Tuesday, May 7 Chicago @ SYRACUSE
*if necessary
LABBE LEADS THE WAY: J.F. Labbe recorded his fourth and fifth wins of the post-season, stopping 65 of 66 Chicago shots during their first-ever meetings this past weekend. In Game One on Friday night, Labbe recorded his sixth career post-season shutout, two shy of tying the all- time record of eight set by Gordon Henry. It was the fourth playoff shut out in Crunch history and first since April 22, 1998 when Corey Hirsch blanked Hamilton 3-0. During post-season play, Labbe ranks first in the league with five wins, and a .959 save percentage and second with a 1.20 goals against average.
REICH TURNS IT UP: Left wing Jeremy Reich has turned up his offensive production in the post-season, recording three goals in five games after recording 9 goals in 59 games during the regular season. In Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals series against Philadelphia, Reich scored the first of four unanswered Syracuse goals as the Crunch went on to defeat the Phantoms 4-1. In Game Two of the Semifinals against the Wolves, Reich once again tied the game at one, this time in the second period, helping the Crunch to a 3-1 victory.
CRUNCH FANS MAKE STATEMENT: Saturday’s crowd of 5,493 was the largest since May 24, 1996 (Game 4 – Western Conference Finals vs. Rochester) and the sixth largest in Crunch playoff history. The Crunch is fourth in the American Hockey League in average playoff attendance with 4,545.
MOVIN’ ON UP: Crunch center Brad Moran enters Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals fifth on the Crunch’s all-time post season goals list with seven, sixth on the all-time points list with 14 and tenth on the all- time assists list with seven. Center Sean Pronger and right wing Chris Nielsen are tied with Larry Courville for the team’s all-time lead in playoff game-winning goals at two.
CRUNCH SHAVE PRICES WITH SPECIAL TICKET PROMOTION: The Syracuse Crunch announced that they are extending their razor promotion through the rest of the playoffs. Any fan who brings in a razor to the box office prior to any future home Crunch game will receive a $2 discount off of any $15 seat. Earlier in the month the Crunch issued a special playoff challenge to Central New York, asking their fans to stop shaving until the Crunch’s playoff run is over, following the habits of many players, who frequently grow playoff beards.
SECOND ROUND TICKET INFO: Tickets for Game Six and Game Seven of the second round of the Western Conference Semifinals are available by calling the Crunch’s sales office at (315) 473-4444. Contact the Crunch sales office at (315) 473-4444 for information on group discounts.
Season ticket holders who have purchased the full playoff package, must use the tickets marked Game F and Game G accordingly. In an event that Game F and Game G are not played, a credit will be issued towards next season. Please contact the Crunch office at (315) 473-4444 if you have any questions.
CRUNCHABLES: Jeremy Reich is currently on a two game goal streak, a feat he accomplished only once during the regular season… Syracuse’s power play has improved from 17.5% at the end of the regular season (72 goals on 412 chances) to 21.4% in playoffs (scoring 6 goals in 28 chances)… Center Brad Moran has recorded at least one point in four of the Crunch’s five games in the playoffs… Syracuse has outscored Philadelphia and Chicago 11-0 in the third period during the playoffs… Defenseman Derrick Walser leads the Crunch with four power play points this post season.
Pictured: Jeremy Reich, above; J.F. Labbe, previous.