It has been awhile since the Syracuse Crunch made the American Hockey League’s Calder Cup Playoffs. Fans came out and filled the Onondaga Country War Memorial in support.
AHL Hockey Playoff atmosphere during the Syracuse Crunch game against the St. John's Ice Caps. From left, fans waving rally towels at the start of the game, patriotic couple sang both the Canadian and American national anthems, Crunch mascot Al the Ice Gorilla greets fans and a young fan gets an up close view of the game.
The Crunch had lost the first game of the best of five series the night before and the Syracuse fans loudly supported them throughout the game. The Crunch carried the play for most of the game but still gave up a two goal lead. The teams were tied half way through the last period.
Syracuse Crunch forward Brandon McMillan (15) tips the puck towards St. John's Ice Caps goaltender Edward Pasquale (40) in the first period of their AHL playoff game on Saturday, April 21, 2012 in the War Memorial. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/800s, f/2.8, ISO 2200, EV +1.3, 200mm focal length.
Crunch forward Brandon McMillan (pictured above) broke the tie with 8 minutes left in the third period. McMillan, who was in front of Ice Caps goalie Edward Pasquale all night, deflected a pass from Kyle Pallmieri into the net. From there the Crunch held off the Ice Caps for their first playoff win.
Syracuse Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki (35) keeps an eye on the puck after making a save against the St. John's Ice Caps in an AHL playoff game on Saturday, April 21, 2012 at the War Memorial. Nikon D700/70-200VR, 1/800s, f/2.8, ISO 2800, EV +1.3, 200mm focal length.
The series resumes in St. John’s on Wednesday. The Syracuse Crunch will have to win two games on the road. A big challenge but this team has been meeting them all year. Go Crunch!
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I love hockey. I think it’s the key to excellent North American neighborliness. We get together in a cold place, sing each other’s national anthems, and watch some organized insanity together. The players come from all over the world, and the biggest prize in the game goes home for the summer with the kids who earned it, back to their home towns in Edmonton and Detroit and Chicoutimi. I love hockey.
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Your Red Wings did not have a very good time of it this year. I am hoping the Crunch can move on as I would like to see more playoff games. The place was charged up for the game.
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I dont’ wanna talk about it.
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My team didn’t even make the playoffs this year. The West is ready for the next round while the East has three game 7s. I will be glued to the TV for those.
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Very nice shots Scott!
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Thank you, Terry.
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Nice shots Scott. I love the one with the ‘goaltender keeps an eye on the puck’, nice captured. 🙂
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That is one of my favorites from the game. Really shows how riveted these players have to be in a game.
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