Scottwdw
Member
The Syracuse Crunch started their quest for the AHL Calder Cup last weekend. ; The first game against the Portland (Maine) Pirates was a very physical and intense affair. ; The Crunch fell behind by two goals, twice. ; They settled down and chipped away until they tied the game in the third period. Neither team could win it in regulation.
Calder Cup playoffs is identical to the NHL. You play until someone scores. No 4-on-4 hockey or shootouts. ; This is where I pick it up...
Tyler Johnson (9, in white) fires a shot at the Portland Pirates net which was ruled a goal by the referee...at first.
After some discussion and a video replay, the puck was ruled it never crossed the goalline but had instead hit the outside of the netting. Referee was quick to make his call and not for the first time either.
Everything gets multiplied in overtime. ; Every shot, hit and save becomes extremely important. Here, Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) makes a save on a Portland Pirate scoring attempt.
Things got really interesting when big (as in 6' 7" and 255 pounds big) Portland Pirates defensemen Boris Valabik (7) boarded a Crunch player face first. ; Causing blood to be spilled and giving Valabik a 5 minute major and game misconduct. As you can see, he did not agree with the call.
While the blood was being cleaned off the ice, Syracuse Crunch players huddled up around Head Coach Rob Zettler to discuss their strategy. ; BTW, everyone one of the players on the ice here played for the Tampa Bay Lightning at one time during the season and had won the Calder Cup last year when this franchise was in Norflok.
During the power play, there were several missed opportunities to score like this one as both Richard Panik (14) and Ondrej Palat (12) could not direct the puck in the net.
Dan Sexton (16) was setup in left circle and had a great shot lined up but, alas, his stick broke and fans moaned.
Then...a goal as Ondrej Palat (12) puts the puck in the net. ; But...see the referee? He had already blown the play dead when he lost sight of the puck. Another quick decision which got the fans chanting...Ref You Suck...very loudly.
Finally, with the penalty time down to less than two minutes, Richard Panik (14) gathered up a loose and rolling puck in front of the net and lifted it over the sprawling Portland Pirate goaltender to win the game!
Bedlam ensued as players and fans rose up in extreme jubilation!
Richard Panik (14) shares a smile with Crunch Captain Mike Angelidis (10) as the Crunch took a 1-0 series lead in the Best-of-5.
Even Crunchman was excited as he waved his blue and silver rally towel (Free to the first 2,000 fans thanks to sponsors).
Will bring you more highlights of this game and game 2 when I catch my breath!
Calder Cup playoffs is identical to the NHL. You play until someone scores. No 4-on-4 hockey or shootouts. ; This is where I pick it up...
Tyler Johnson (9, in white) fires a shot at the Portland Pirates net which was ruled a goal by the referee...at first.
After some discussion and a video replay, the puck was ruled it never crossed the goalline but had instead hit the outside of the netting. Referee was quick to make his call and not for the first time either.
Everything gets multiplied in overtime. ; Every shot, hit and save becomes extremely important. Here, Syracuse Crunch goalie Cedrick Desjardins (30) makes a save on a Portland Pirate scoring attempt.
Things got really interesting when big (as in 6' 7" and 255 pounds big) Portland Pirates defensemen Boris Valabik (7) boarded a Crunch player face first. ; Causing blood to be spilled and giving Valabik a 5 minute major and game misconduct. As you can see, he did not agree with the call.
While the blood was being cleaned off the ice, Syracuse Crunch players huddled up around Head Coach Rob Zettler to discuss their strategy. ; BTW, everyone one of the players on the ice here played for the Tampa Bay Lightning at one time during the season and had won the Calder Cup last year when this franchise was in Norflok.
During the power play, there were several missed opportunities to score like this one as both Richard Panik (14) and Ondrej Palat (12) could not direct the puck in the net.
Dan Sexton (16) was setup in left circle and had a great shot lined up but, alas, his stick broke and fans moaned.
Then...a goal as Ondrej Palat (12) puts the puck in the net. ; But...see the referee? He had already blown the play dead when he lost sight of the puck. Another quick decision which got the fans chanting...Ref You Suck...very loudly.
Finally, with the penalty time down to less than two minutes, Richard Panik (14) gathered up a loose and rolling puck in front of the net and lifted it over the sprawling Portland Pirate goaltender to win the game!
Bedlam ensued as players and fans rose up in extreme jubilation!
Richard Panik (14) shares a smile with Crunch Captain Mike Angelidis (10) as the Crunch took a 1-0 series lead in the Best-of-5.
Even Crunchman was excited as he waved his blue and silver rally towel (Free to the first 2,000 fans thanks to sponsors).
Will bring you more highlights of this game and game 2 when I catch my breath!
