It's Crunch Time!

Open question to forum users?

spyder — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:43:09 GMT

Last year when Dave had originally said he would be taking down the site, I quickly threw up a new site because I didn't want to see this site go down. I stopped doing anything with the site when Dave said he would maintain the site, becuase I didn't want to take away from the great work Dave has done on syracuse-crunch.com.

I don't like the idea of posting on an open forum for all AHL hockey like the one suggested at: http://www.ahlfans.net/forums/

It will eventually turn into a HUGE flame war between fans of different teams, as much as people argue on here at least we are all here for the same reason.

My open question to the community here is, would you like me to turn my site into a forum to use for crunch fans in place of this one? If yes let me know, either here or email me: johnd6@gmail.com

www.crunch-hockey.com

Game Worn Jersey Auction

Crunchsite — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:46:29 GMT

Calls are being made as we speak.

I won Mirasty Theme and Filatov St Pats.

anyone else wish to share their results?

Calder Cup and Stanley Cup predictions?

LaSito307 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:12:07 GMT

who do you think will win the Calder and Stanley Cup this season? i got the Hershey Bear for the Calder Cup and the New Jersey Devils for the Stanley Cup (but i want Columbus to win it)

Players to CBJ

ManningJersey — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:01:16 GMT

Among the other league minor league recalls we are expecting: goaltender Dan LaCosta, defenseman Nick Holden, forward Mike Blunden. There might be one or two more.

Per Dispatch.....

Lalande should have gotten the call over LaCosta anyday.....

Tim

Season awards

FightMasters — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:22:44 GMT

does anyone know where I can find a list of the season ending awards for the crunch as I missed the last game.

Have A Great Summer !!!

Slapshot — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 03:03:42 GMT

The hockey season was much to short but I hope everyone has a great summer !!! Look forward to keeping up with the free agent signings and Crunch hockey rumors over at www.AHLFans.net/forums. Take care.

New Message Board - www.AHLFans.net/forums

Slapshot — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 17:38:38 GMT

Broomball suggested that we start to post at this message board: www.AHLFans.net/forums

After going over to see what was on Syracuse.Com today I could not agree more.

Thanx Dave!!

billhap — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 15:49:08 GMT

I just wanted to thank you again for maintaining and running a well kept site! It is nice to have the info and intelligent hockey conversation all in one place. So again I thank you and hope you keep it in the years to come!!

Special Show

Bobbymac — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 14:36:54 GMT

I am hosting a Crunch special on 620 WHEN at noon today.

Future of www.syracuse-crunch.com

Crunchsite — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:04:55 GMT

Another season wraps up Saturday. A disappointing one for sure, but I always enjoy that one last time to hang with some pals and wish everyone a great summer.

As some of you may remember, I almost didn't do the website this season, for a variety of reasons, the main one being not really having the time to do all the things I would like to do with it. Real world responsibilities have put a real Crunch (no pun intended) on my time for hobbies.

After a lot of soul searching, I have decided to continue to do the site again next season. I am once again reaching out, looking for folks to contribute. If anyone is interested in doing anything to help, drop me a line.

I will not be continuing the message board, however, and will shut that down in a week or so. There hasn't been enough usage to make it worth keeping up and sadly, much of usage there has been has been misusage. In addition, message boards in general are going the way of the dinosaur. With Blogs, Facebook and countless other ways to voice one's opinion online, message boards aren't really needed. I want to thank those of you who have enjoyed it over the years and to Mike and Alex for moderating this past season.

For those I may not run into tomorrow, have a great summer!

-Dave

Free Agents Columbus Should Sign !!!

Slapshot — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 03:10:33 GMT

Jason Jaffray: UFA (Said last season he would love to play in Syracuse)

Alexandre Giroux: UFA (Leading scorer in the AHL - 95 points)

Darren Haydar: UFA (7th leading scorer - 78 points)

Drew MacIntyre: UFA (5th best goalie in the AHL)

GDT: 4/10 @ Rochester

ufeelshame — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:38:58 GMT

2 Games left. You have to give Rochester credit for going up to Marlie Ville and getting an OT win, which means that they will be playing the Crunch tough. Crunch 4th line play on Wednesday was impressive. For periods of time they were the only Crunch line to control the puck in the offensive zone. Want to see more of Kennedy, he looks like a good one. Game Keys:

D clear the zone
Skate and hit hard for 60+
Eat some brain food to remind yourself to keep it simple and mistake free - avoid cough ups and when in doubt stay between the pipes

The only thing the Crunch need to do is win; However - Would be nice to see a Grand Rapids win tonight in Michigan over Hamilton because this would give the Bulldogs extra incentive in their early game Saturday (if it comes to that) against Toronto. Currently, Griffins and Dawgs tied for 2nd but Dawgs have the TieBreaker with more wins. And the big question is will the Lady Moose show up in Toronto tonight? Note that in Toronto's last 10 games they have only 3 wins, 2 of them against the Moose in MooseVille - pathetic.

Will next Year Be Any Better ???

Slapshot — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 02:49:25 GMT

I can honestly say for the first time in 15 years I am glad a hockey season is over. Tonights game in Rochester proved that this team did not deserve to be in the playoffs. How do you get shutout out by one of the worst teams in the AHL who was playing their back-up goalie?

The really bad news is the majority of these guys will be back for next year. That coupled with the fact that Columbus has absolutely no talent in the pipeline means next season might not be much better. Then throw into the mix that Howard is pushing for Columbus to sign Yates to a multi-year contract. Only in Syracuse would a coach get a contract extension for a 5th place finish.

I see a ray of hope if Coach "Z" returns and breathes some life into this group of players. It sure would be nice to see Howard step up like the owner in Rochester and pay for some talented vets out of his own pocket. If he doesn't we will be fighting for the basement with Cleveland.

Here's the Top 20 players in the Columbus organization from Hockey Futures and none of college/WHL players will be in Syracuse next year. Not good news.

1. Nikita Filatov, LW
2. Derick Brassard, C
3. Cody Goloubef, D - College
4. Maxim Mayorov, LW
5. Teddy Ruth, D - College
6. Jonathan Sigalet, D
7. Will Weber, D - College
8. Tom Sestito, LW - Lazy
9. Jake Hansen, RW - College
10. Andrei Plekhanov, D - Bum
11. Dan LaCosta, G
12. Kevin Lalande, G
13. Matt Calvert, LW - WHL
14. Derek Dorsett, RW
15. Allen York, G - College
16. Grant Clitsome, D
17. Stefan Legein, RW
18. Brent Regner, D - WHL
19. Nick Holden, D
20. Alexandre Picard, LW

Arrogant Columbus II

Monstersfan — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:41:28 GMT

Crunch fans,

Want to get your blood pressure up? Go to http://www.cleveland.com, click on "Forums" (l0wer on the main page), then go to the Monsters forum. Look for a recent post by a guy who calls himself buckeye666. He refers to Crunch fans and by extension Monsters fans as "clueless whiners." Right under his post is my response. My screen name there is slyoldguy.

Good luck to the Crunch this weekend!

practice at meacham

loudfan23 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 12:35:37 GMT

The Crunch practice at meacham this morning 10am. Would be nice to get some support down there before they leave for Rottenchester!

Carlos Mencia On Hockey Players

sinbin — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:06:21 GMT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89cjNI9jo_c

Playoff Help

Slapshot — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 22:27:12 GMT

The junior ranks are pretty thin this year in terms of players that could help us in the playoffs.

Only four Blue Jacket prospects skated at the North American junior level during the 2008-09 season, as the upper tier of the current prospect pool made a significant impact between Columbus and Syracuse. The three defensemen in the junior ranks provide future depth to what is already a system long on defensive prospects, highlighted by hard-charging offensive defenseman Brent Regner. Joining him in the WHL this season has been Brandon forward Matt Calvert, who continues to look the part of an upwardly-mobile scoring wing in his second lap around the western junior circuit.

Matt Calvert, LW – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
5th Round, 127th Overall, 2008 Entry Draft

Quietly developing into a consistent scoring threat off the wing in his sophomore season with Brandon is 19-year-old Matt Calvert. A fifth-round selection in the 2008 draft on the strength of a quality freshman campaign in 2007-08, Calvert has taken another step this year for the Wheat Kings. In 58 regular-season games, the Brandon native averaged over a point-per-game, tallying 28 goals and 39 assists in a year highlighted by selection as the WHL Player of the Week in March.

That success has translated into the post-season, as Calvert has accounted for six goals in as many playoff games to go with three assists. His overall game has picked up since the turn of the new year, with 22 goals scored over his past 39 games. With his offensive talent and work ethic, there are several directions his career might take from this point moving forward. If his current playoff performance is any indication, Calvert will likely be in line for a long audition with Syracuse by the autumn of 2010.

Brent Regner, D – Vancouver Giants (WHL)
5th Round, 137th Overall, 2008 Entry Draft

The other Jackets prospect skating in the WHL this year is offensive defenseman Brent Regner, who has made great strides in his third season with the Vancouver Giants. As with fellow Jacket prospect Matt Calvert, Regner turned in his best amateur performance in 2008-09. In 70 regular-season games for the Giants, Regner potted 15 goals to go with 52 assists, just off a point-per-game pace for a player that went undrafted in the 2007 NHL entry draft. The 19-year-old rearguard has continued that pace into the playoffs, contributing a goal and five assists in six post-season games, helping the Giants march towards a possible WHL championship showdown with Calvert’s Brandon squad. Once off the NHL radar, Brent Regner is now very much on the Jacket’s and adds to a deep blueline corps within the system and it should be interesting to see where he fits during this autumn’s training camp.

Steven Delisle, D – Gatineau Olympiques (QMJHL)
4th Round, 107th Round, 2008 Entry Draft

The lone Jacket prospect currently skating in the Q, hulking defenseman Steven Delisle has been a consistent presence in his junior season with Gatineau. The 6’6 youngster turned in a comparable campaign to his sophomore year, improving by one point in a five-goal, 25-assist performance in 63 regular-season games with the Olympiques. Delisle has followed that up with a solid performance in the playoffs, with a pair of goals and three assists in seven games. As to be expected for a player of his size, however, Delisle’s real value to the organization does not well translate to the box score, and he remains one of the better defense-first assets within the organization.

Crunch v. Bingo

Slapshot — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:23:27 GMT

It was one hell of a hockey game despite the fact we were missing our leading scorer. I am still in disbelief that Bingo scored with 3.9 seconds left and then Lalande once again gets caught in no mans land trying to play the puck in OT. This kid is a quality netminder but he needs to learn to stay put in the net having has already cost his team two goals in this stretch run.

Filatov Not Playing In Columbus

Slapshot — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:34:07 GMT

Here are Ken Hitchcock's comments in the Dispatch:

But there are no plans to play him, coach Ken Hitchcock said. "I'm not sure where he fits, to be quite honest," Hitchcock said.

Hopefully Howard Dolgan will make a move to sign with another NHL affiliate after this slap in the face. Time for some "HOWSON SUCKS" posters in the old barn this weekend.

War Memorial

peca — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 02:14:35 GMT

Dear Joannie,

Last Saturday, I attended the Syracuse Crunch hockey game. They gave away a free replica of the War Memorial. I have no had it almost a week. In this short time, I have found that the roof leaks and the toilets in the men room flood the floor, and the walls have holes in them. Could you put a surcharge on parking in the county to pay for repairs to my replica War Memorial? I want to be assured that the roof last 100 years.

Thank You,

Season Ticket Holder

Arrogant Collumbus

Monstersfan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 01:34:37 GMT

Brothers and Sisters in Puckdom,

From a Lake Erie Monsters fan, take this advice. Look into a mirror and say to yourself "I love the game. I love my Crunch. Screw Columbus." Here is a Cleveland perspective.

Too many Columbus people think the commodes down there smell like perfume. This latest nonsense with Filatov is just another example. For a writer to imply that the AHL is not a professional league is nonsense, especially when he puts himself out on a limb: Columbus is the top farm team for the Cleveland Indians this year. Does this mean that they are not "professional?" Poetic justice calls for the Tribe to make some frivolous call-ups to give some Columbus guys a chance to soak up the MLB atmosphere while sitting on the bench, right? So AHL games are just scrimmages? Hell, I even know a fan here in Cleveland who won't go to more than 10 games a year because she sees it as "practice." Gee, these guys don't go out there to win?

About ten days ago, this fanatic, who has NHL Center Ice, was watching Springfield and Worcester on the NHL Network. Would you believe that the Edmonton Oilers APOLOGIZED to the Springfield fans for the inferior product that they put on the ice this year? And CBJ tells Syracuse fans to shut up and deal with a guy called up to sit??? Hell's bells, the Avs called up everyone but my season ticket rep this year, but at least when I turn on an Avs game, I'll see Stewart, Galiardi, Hensick, MacKenzie, Macias and others playing regularly.

Hang in there, Crunch fans. We may root for different teams, but we are fellow pucksters. My best to all.

A new roof??

Bohonos19 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:02:03 GMT

Are you flippin kidding me? Where's the new scoreboard? Lipstick on a pig. Per Bud Poliquin:

http://www.syracuse.com/poliquin/index.ssf/2009/04/a_new_roof_but_not_a_new_war_m.html

Playoff Chances

Slapshot — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 18:48:49 GMT

The only hope for the Crunch is to win the rest of their games and hope that Hamilton is tied or trailing Grand Rapids on Saturday. If so the Bulldogs would have to beat Toronto at 5:00 p.m. for home ice advantage in the playoffs. The Crunch will know by 7:30 p.m. that a win gives them a playoff berth. Saturday could be one hell of a night in the old barn if everyone works out with Grand Rapids and Hamilton.

For Sale or Trade

Crunchsite — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 09:33:50 GMT

Post your items in this thread...buy, sell and trade at your own risk

VS Rochester 04/04

sinbin — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 20:07:41 GMT

We need this game in a bad way.

Rochester

Sprukts had 4 assist yesterday vs Bingo and Stefan Meyer had two goals . Rochester was 3 for 7 on the powerplay vs Bingo

Duco did not play but Emmerson was dressed.

Brodeur was not on the game sheet vs Bingo - Anyone got any info on why he was not listed ?

Found my answer http://letsgoamerks.com/2009/04/01/updates-brodeur-plante-glass/

For the Crunch

Picard - MacKenzie - York must have a big night for the Crunch to win

Dress Mirasty

Dan Smith is a rock

Stay in the net Kevin. Next time the Oncenter puts the rink back together make sure someone connects point A with point A correctly. The Oncenter has cost us two goals in tow game. Or an even better idea screw up the other side of the rink so we gett the bounces. I am starting to wonder if this is the counties idea of a good joke to play on the Crunch....