Minor league sports teams are known for their creative and fun promotions.  For the week before last Saturday’s game, the Syracuse Crunch had been telling fans about Fear the Beard night. The promotion spawned over a popular player’s beard which even has it’s own Twitter account.  Radko Gudas facial hair, it is said, puts fear into opposing players.  From that premise, let the fun roll.

Radko Gudas, defensemen for the Syracuse Crunch, and his famous beard staring down the competition.

To further spread the fun, the Crunch passed out fake beards to the fans before the game.  Those fans, who already had beards, could get $5 off a ticket to the game.

Syracuse Crunch fans at Fear the Beard night.

The Crunch, spurred on by the Beard, posted a 3-0 shutout win.  The players who were chosen as the Three Stars of the Game, got into the spirit of the night by honoring the Beard.

Three stars from #FearTheBeard night at the Syracuse Crunch. In order from Third to First Star are Pierre-Cedric Labrie (20), Mark Barberio (8) and Cedrick Desjardins (30) with the shutout.

Promotions like Fear the Beard Night bring excitement and fun to the game for the fans and players.  The Crunch and players even produced two videos leading up to the event.

Fear the Beard Part I:

Fear the Beard Part II: