The Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League are heading into the last part of their season.  From now until mid-April, the Crunch will play two home games every weekend.  Here are a few photos from last weekend’s games.

Syracuse Crunch Richard Panik (14) with the puck against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in American Hockey League (AHL) action at the War Memorial Arena on Friday, February 28, 2014. Syracuse won 4-0.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1250s, f/3.5, ISO 3200, EV +1.0, 102mm (153mm DX) focal length.

The team can always use isolation photos of the players.  The best are when I can get them with the puck like I did above with Richard Panik (14) as he was bringing the puck into the offensive zone against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Hockey goalies are easier to isolate as they stay close to the net.  The challenge with them is to time the shutter press as they make a save.  Anders Lindback (39) was going down to block a shot and I caught the puck as it hit him in the chest.

Syracuse Crunch goalie Anders Lindback (39) makes a save against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in American Hockey League (AHL) action at the War Memorial Arena on Friday, February 28, 2014. Syracuse won 4-0.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/1000s, f/3.5, ISO 2000, EV +1.3, 200mm (300mm DX) focal length.

The next night, the Adirondack Phantoms came to town and the Crunch got on a roll in the second period scoring three goals.  The best of the three came on a fast passing play which I anticipated and captured the resolution of the play as Dana Tyrell (42) fired in the puck past the Phantoms’ netminder.

Syracuse Crunch Dana Tyrell (42) puts the puck past Adirondack Phantoms goalie Yann Danis (34) in American Hockey League (AHL) action at the War Memorial Arena on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Syracuse won in overtime, 5-4.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/800s, f/3.5, ISO 2000, EV +1.3, 70mm (105mm DX) focal length, cropped.

When play stops for face-offs, it gives me an opportunity to photograph the game within a game. Here, Tanner Richard (71) stares down his opponent in the face-off circle before the linesmen dropped the puck.

Syracuse Crunch Tanner Richard (71) facing off against Adirondack Phantoms Nick Cousins (25) in American Hockey League (AHL) action at the War Memorial Arena on Saturday, March 1, 2014. Syracuse won in overtime, 5-4.
Nikon D7100/70-200VR, 1/800s, f/3.2, ISO 3600, EV +1.0, 135mm (203mm DX) focal length.

The rest of the season should be full of more great moments to photograph and show. Hold on to your helmets!