Syracuse Crunch fans are experiencing something that has never happened in the team’s 19 year history, playing playoff hockey games in June inside the War Memorial. Previously, the latest the team has played was late May. While it has not gone well for the Crunch so far, the games have been entertaining, fast and full of action. Here are a few photos from the first two games of the 2013 American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals played in Syracuse, New York.
Regardless of the results, Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins has kept the Crunch within striking distance of the Griffins during both games.
Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) snags a shot by a Grand Rapids Griffins player in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Saturday, June 8, 2013.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1000s, f/3.2, ISO 1400, EV +1.3, 155mm (233mm DX) focal length.
I was in the right place at the right time here. Too bad it was the wrong team scoring.
Grand Rapids Griffins Triston Grant (23) scores past Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1250, f/3.5, ISO 2200, EV +1.3, 200mm (300mm DX) focal length.
The puck shot by Crunch J. T. Brown (not pictured) you see here just under the STP logo not only went into the net behind the players, it went THROUGH the net. It wasn’t ruled a goal until the next stoppage of play after the referee reviewed it on the video monitor.
Syracuse Crunch J. T. Wyman (15) screens Grand Rapids Griffins goalie Petr Mrazek (34) as a shot by Crunch J. T. Brown (23) goes into the net in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.
Nikon D7100/24-85G, 1/800s, f/4.5, ISO 4000, EV +1.7, 70mm (105mm DX) focal length.
The Griffins defense kept the reigning AHL MVP, Tyler Johnson, off the scoreboard in the first two games.
Syracuse Crunch Tyler Johnson (9) being defended by Grand Rapids Griffins Nathan Paetsch (4) in American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Finals Playoff action at the Onondaga County War Memorial on Sunday, June 9, 2013. Grand Rapids won 6-4.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1250s, f/3.5, ISO 1800, EV +1.3, 150mm (225mm DX) focal length.
Tonight is the first game in Grand Rapids and the Crunch being down 2 games to none really need to come out and win. A win would extend the series to five games and hopefully to six or seven for a return of the series back to Syracuse next week.
Views Infinitum 
Congrats
LikeLike