2002-03 RECORD: 17-34-6-3, 43 points (8-20-3-2 home, 9- 14-3-1 road), fifth place, Central Division

THIS WEEK'S GAMES

Wednesday, February 26 @ Albany (17-29-8-6), 48 points, fifth place, East Division

Friday, February 28 vs. Rochester (22-22–13-4), 61 points, second place, Central Division

Sunday, February 23 @ Binghamton (30-20-7-1), 68 points, second place, East Division

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS

Wednesday, February 19 Hershey 6 CRUNCH 2

Friday, February 21 CRUNCH 5 Hershey 2

Saturday, February 22 Binghamton 2 CRUNCH 1

Sunday, February 23 ROCHESTER 3 Crunch 2

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

REICH’S CAREER YEAR: Left wing Jeremy Reich matched his career mark (set during the 2001-02 season) for points in a season last night in Rochester, recording his 16th point of the year. Reich has appeared in 58 games for the Crunch this season, recording seven goals, nine assists and 137 penalty minutes. A native of Craik, Saskatchewan, Reich is currently fifth on the Crunch’s all-time penalty minute list with 423 minutes, trailing Larry Courville by 46 for fourth. Originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks with their third choice, 39th overall, in the 1997 Entry Draft, Columbus signed Reich as a free agent on May 17, 2000.

BICANEK LENDS A HELPING HAND: With two assists last night against Rochester, defenseman Radim Bicanek (61 career Syracuse assists) moved within two assists of tenth place on the Crunch’s all-time assist list, a spot currently occupied by Reggie Savage (63 assists). In 55 games with the Crunch this season Bicanek has recorded six goals, 18 assists and 111 penalty minutes. A native of Uherske Hradiste, Czech Republic, Bicanek has appeared in 123 career National Hockey League games with Ottawa, Chicago and Columbus, recording 1 goal, 11 assists and 62 penalty minutes. Originally selected by Ottawa with their second selection, 27th overall, in the 1993 Entry Draft, Columbus selected Bicanek from Chicago in the 2000 Expansion Draft.

COLLEY RELEASED: The Crunch announced on Sunday afternoon that they released center Kevin Colley from his professional tryout contract. Colley appeared in 16 games while with the Crunch, recording two goals, three assists and six penalty minutes. Colley will rejoin Atlantic City (ECHL).

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:

Friday, February 28

U.S. Army High School Night: The Crunch’s Friday, February 28 against the Rochester Americans is U.S. Army High School Night at the Crunch. Any high school student who shows a valid I.D. at the Crunch’s box office will receive a $14 ticket for $5, compliments of the U.S. Army. The U.S. Army Color Guard will be on hand to help with the national anthem and the U.S. Army will be on hand to distribute information.

Taco Bell Night: Friday, February 28 is Taco Bell Night at the Crunch. Local Taco Bell stores will serve as outlets for vouchers good for discounted tickets to Taco Bell Night at the Crunch, courtesy of Taco Bell.

Monday, March 3

Oswego Family Skate: There will be a Family Skate Night at Romney Field House on the Oswego campus from 4-6 p.m. on Monday, March 3. Crunch players Paul Traynor, Adam Borzecki, Dan Watson, Paul Manning, Trent Cull and Trevor Ettinger will be on hand to skate and sign autographs. The Crunch’s mascot Al, will also be in attendance. Family admission is $5. Single skater admission is $2. Proceeds benefit the Oswego Salvation Army’s new community center fund drive.

THIS WEEK’S OPPONENTS:

ALBANY (NEW JERSEY DEVILS): The Crunch travel to the Albany on Wednesday, February 26 for the fifth of six regular season meetings this season. Albany leads the series 2-1-1, after defeating Syracuse 4-3 in overtime at the War Memorial at Oncenter on January 25. Albany left wing Greg Crozier (2g, 2a), Syracuse right wing Tim Jackman (3g, 1a) and Syracuse center Matt Dzieduszycki (4a) lead their respective teams with four points in head- to-head scoring. Goaltender Ari Ahonen has appeared in three games against the Crunch, with a 2-1-0 record, a 2.28 goals against average and .927 save percentage. Karl Goehring has appeared in two games for Syracuse with a 1-1- 0 record, 2.00 goals against average and .923 save percentage. Lifetime, the Crunch is 32-31-9 against the River Rats.

ROCHESTER (BUFFALO SABRES): Syracuse hosts their Central Division rivals the Rochester Americans on Friday, February 28 in the seventh of 12 regular season meetings. Rochester left wing Jason Botterill (5g, 1a), Rochester center Chris Taylor (1g, 5a) and Syracuse right wing Matt Davidson (4g, 2a) lead all players in head-to-head scoring with six points. Rochester goaltender Ryan Miller has appeared in four games with a 3-0-1 record, a 1.23 goals against average and .962 save percentage. Karl Goehring has appeared in four games for Syracuse with a 2-2-0 record, a 2.75 goals against average and .903 save percentage. Lifetime, Syracuse is 36-46-12 against Rochester.

BINGHAMTON (OTTAWA SENATORS): The Crunch travels to Binghamton on Sunday, March 2 for the final of eight regular season meetings. Binghamton leads the series 5-1- 1, defeating Syracuse 2-1 in their last meeting on February 22. Right wing David Ling (1g, 7a) leads all players in head-to-head scoring with eight points. Right wing Brad Smyth (5g, 2a) paces the Senators with seven points. Senators goaltender Ray Emery has appeared in four games, with a 3-1-0 record, a 2.25 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. Goaltender Karl Goehring has appeared in five games for Syracuse with a 1-3-1 record, a 1.92 goals against average and a .936 save percentage. Lifetime, Syracuse is 1-5-1 against the Senators.

INJURY UPDATE: Defenseman Duvie Westcott is listed as day-to-day after suffering a mild concussion on February 1 against Rochester. Westcott has missed 11 games with the injury… Defenseman Trent Cull is listed as day-to-day with a groin injury, suffered February 14 vs. St. John’s. Cull has missed the last six games with the injury… Center Don MacLean is listed as day-to-day with a neck injury. MacLean has missed the entire 2002-03 season with the injury, including five games since being assigned to Syracuse on February 17.

INJURIES BY THE NUMBERS: Through 60 games this season, Syracuse has lost 162 man-games due to injuries Darrel Scoville – 50, Trent Cull – 21, Brad Moran – 20, Paul Manning – 13, Duvie Westcott – 11, Pauli Levokari – 8, Blake Bellefeuille, Ben Knopp & Don MacLean– 5, Andrej Nedorost – 4, Radim Bicanek & Kent McDonell – 3, Martin Paroulek & Dan Watson – 2, Adam Borzecki & Trevor Ettinger – 1, represent the Crunch’s injury list this season.

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

Tuesday, February 25 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Wednesday, February 26 10:00 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7 p.m. game @ Albany

Thursday, February 27 10:30 a.m. practice @ War Memorial at Oncenter

Friday, February 28 10:00 a.m. skate @ War Memorial at Oncenter

7:30 p.m. game vs. Rochester

Saturday, March 1 10:30 a.m. practice @ TBA

Sunday, March 2 5:05 p.m. game @ Binghamton

*All practice times and locations subject to change

CRUNCHABLES: Left wing Mathieu Darche had a four- game point streak snapped on Sunday night in Rochester… Right wing Matt Davidson moved into a tenth place tie with Dane Jackson and Brent Sopel on the Crunch’s all-time power play goal list, scoring the 14th of his career on Saturday night vs. Binghamton… Center Brad Moran is four points away from 100 in his Syracuse career… Center Don MacLean is two goals away from 100 in his AHL career… The Crunch did not score a power play goal on Sunday night against Rochester (0-for-1), breaking an eleven game streak of scoring at least one power play goal… Syracuse lost for the first-time this season on Sunday night in a game that defenseman Radim Bicanek recorded more than one point (5-1-0).

Pictured: Jeremy Reich, previous page; Radim Bicanek, above.