Greetings all! I’m here to offer a quick preview of the AHL Semifinals or as I’m calling it “The Mirasty Cup.” The matchup is the Blue Jackets’ current affiliate the Springfield Falcons versus the CBJ’s first ever AHL affiliate, the Syracuse Crunch. Now of course there’s no one left from those days probably, except owner Howard Dolgan. The Syracuse Crunch could be classified as the defending Calder Cup champs. Why the clarification? The Crunch is currently the Tampa Bay Lightning’s affiliate. Last year, Tampa Bay’s affilitate was the Norfolk Admirals, and they won the Calder Cup and had a pro hockey record 28 game winning streak. After winning the Cup, Tampa transferred their affiliation to Syracuse. Now, only 10 players remain from last year’s champs – one being AHL MVP Tyler Johnson. The Crunch also had to deal with a coaching change as Head Coach Jon Stevens was promoted to the Lightning on March 25th after Guy Boucher was fired.
With Springfield and Syracuse being in different divisions they only played twice in the regular season – splitting the two games. The teams’ first game was on February 1st with Springfield picking up a 5-3 win while Syracuse won by a 3-0 score on February 23rd. In the regular season series Crunch defenseman Mark Barberio led the scoring with a goal and three assists. It’s two Falcons in second with Nick Drazenovic and Ryan Craig each with three points. As for the goalies, each game featured a different goalie with Crunch playoff starter Cedrick Desjardins making 26 saves for the shutout, and Falcons backup Allen York making a career high 43 saves in the loss.
Looking at their playoff records so far, Syracuse has been off since May 2nd as they swept the Portland Pirates. Ondrej Palat led the way with seven points (3-4-7), tied for third in playoff scoring. Cedrick Desjardins was in net for all three games and has a .884 save percentage and a 2.33 goals against. As for the Falcons, Cody Bass leads the way with four points and Curtis McElhinney sits fourth among goalies with a 1.74 GAA and sixth in save percentage with a .943.
As for a prediction I think this could go the distance. Both teams have only allowed eight goals in the playoffs while Syracuse has scored 12 with Springfield being just behind them with 10.
MY PREDICTION
Falcons in 7 (Prove me wrong boys)
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