Dustin Tokarski Photo by Jason Haas
Tonight the Syracuse Crunch hosted the St. John’s Ice Caps. Thing absolutely exploded in the second period when the game was tied 2-2. There was a hit in the corner and well, a line brawl happened.
The brawl led to an absolutely magic hockey moment. GOALIE FIGHT!
» Continue reading “Goalie Fight!!! Dustin Tokarski vs. Eddie Pasquale”
Vasi isn’t mentioned in this article…but I love this picture.
The turning of the calendar is usually an exciting time in hockey – teams have a pretty good idea of who will make the playoffs and the buzz around undrafted free agents is starting to get loud. While the lockout is robbing us of our NHL joy, let’s take a look at how some the Tampa Bay Lightning’s goaltenders are performing this season. I’ve included the six who I believe have the greatest chance to make an impact in the 2013-2014 season. » Continue reading “2013: A Lightning Goaltending Odyssey”
Tyler Johnson gets low for faceoffs…so low that no one saw him on draft day. Picture from the Syracuse Crunch FB page
This Syracuse Crunch team sure is special, isn’t it? The NHL lockout drags on, but one benefit for the Tampa Bay Lightning is the ability to see its young guns play together and grow as a dominant team. The Crunch played three games this weekend (2-1 loss vs. Binghamton, 4-1 win at Albany, 6-1 win at Worcester) and are now 12-3-1-1 through 17 games. This puts them in first in the East Division as well as the entire Eastern Conference.
Take some time to absorb all of these bullet points and try not to get giddy (I couldn’t resist) thinking about some of these guys contributing at the NHL level. » Continue reading “Number Crunch: Syracuse Dominating As A Team”
Halloween may be over here in the USA, but the celebration continues in other parts of the world. For example, it’s “Dia de los Muertos” in Mexico. It’s a time to remember and celebrate loved ones who have passed on. What a perfect time for the Syracuse Crunch to share their best Halloween costumes:
Was Riku Helenius Keyboard Cat?? Tyler Johnson as Mike Angelidis? Brett Connolly’s favorite candy is Rolos? Good Lord, someone post pictures.
GOALIE FIGHT!
In lieu of discussing the increasingly depressing lockout news, let’s head back to the AHL. For those of you following your team’s respective affiliates, boy are you missing some good stuff. Take the Syracuse Crunch. A number of young players who had a chance to crack the roster out of camp are there. Add on the roster that won the Calder Cup earlier this year and this is quality viewing.
It’s not always pretty, especially in the case of the Crunch’s 6-5 win over Binghamton last Saturday. There were a plethora of fights over the course of the evening. It’s rare that any game has two fights, let alone 7 or 8.
Let’s take a look at them, shall we?
Raichu Helenius by Renee Renna
First off, what does everyone think of Raichu Helenius? It’s a stupid joke that’s been kicking around in my head for a while. If it’s well-received, then we’ll see him again. If not, it’ll disappear faster than that sitcom about Hitler.
Through five games, your Syracuse Crunch are 4-0-0-1 and sit atop the East Division, one point ahead of the 4-0-0-0 Norfolk Admirals. The Crunch is leading the league in goals for with 21 (4.2 per game), but their 17 goals against are certainly less than impressive. This brings me to the meat of the post: how is the battle between Riku Helenius and Dustin Tokarski panning out thus far? » Continue reading “Early Season Review: Dustin Tokarski vs. Riku Helenius”
J.T. Wyman Photo by Linda Hamilton
Tonight’s Crunch/Senators game had pretty much everything. Old time hockey toughness, tons of goals, a dramatic late game comeback. Oh, and a goalie fight. A European goalie fight no less. Don Cherry would lose his shit.
This game was pretty ugly from the outset. Bingamton held a 5-0 lead through the first half of the game. That’s when Sens goalie Robin Lehner and Crunch goalie Riku Helenius met at center ice and, well… see for yourself.
Update: Clearer fight footage.
» Continue reading “Crunch Battle To 6-5 Win Against Binghamton”
Martin St. Louis Photo by Linda Hamilton
- The lockout is frustrating for all of us. This is especially true now that we’re past the time when the season should have started. Saturday should have seen the Lightning begin their campaign against the Florida Panthers. Instead nothing happened and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon.
It’s frustrating for a lot of players, but especially for veterans like Marty St. Louis. At the age of 37, he continues to be in impeccable shape and at the top of his game. He can’t keep playing forever and the lockout could rob him of the time he has left in the league. This doesn’t make Marty too happy and we can’t blame him.
» Continue reading “Nuts & Bolts: St. Louis, Syracuse Crunch, & Nigel Kirwan”
Riku Helenius (Syracuse Crunch Facebook)
They may have a new name, new city, and new jersey but the Lightning’s AHL affiliate picked up exactly where they left off last season. Shortly after winning the Calder Cup earlier this year as the Norfolk Admirals, the Bolts moved their minor league team to New York. The Syracuse Crunch have started their preseason on the road this week and so far the song remains the same.
The Crunch faced off against the St. Johns Icecaps on Thursday and Friday night. Thursday night’s game saw the Crunch win 4-1. Cory Conacher, Philip-Michael Devos, Richard Panik and Alex Killorn scored for Syracuse. Both Dustin Tokarski and Riku Helenius saw time in net.
Friday night’s game saw the Crunch saw goals from Brett Connolly and Matt Taormina in regulation. The game was tied after three periods and a scoreless overtime sent the proceedings to a shootout. Ondrej Palat, Brett Connolly and Tyler Johnson all had shootout goals. Riku Helenius turned aside all three St. Johns shooters to secure the victory.
The final game of the series is set for 12:30 pm tomorrow. That is probably 11:30 EST since Newfoundland has their own time zone. Just go with it.
» Continue reading “Syracuse Crunch Open Preseason With 2 Victories”
PC Labrie photo by Alexis Boucher
Hockey’s here! » Continue reading “Lightning Farmhands En Route to Newfoundland”
