Quick Strikes: Syracuse Crunch look to even series with Cleveland Monsters

The Bolts

Yesterday at Raw Charge, Geo took a look back at the 2005 draft for the Tampa Bay Lightning. It was a draft with a whole lot of star power, but the Bolts were picking last so they missed out on a lot of it. [Raw Charge]

There are some great players to pick from in here. Up front, James Neal and Paul Stastny. Justin Abdelkader is also here, but he pales in comparison to Neal and Stastny. Neal is a better goal scorer, but Stastny as put up more points over his career. There’s also Ondrej Pavelec in goal who sits at 398 games played in the NHL. Despite his longevity and becoming a full time starter at the age of 22 in 2009-10, he hasn’t exactly been a star goaltender, though he has a Gold and Bronze medal at the World Championships and an AHL championship under his belt.

A daily reminder that the Player Grades are still available for your votes! To the Masthead, Alan has made a spreadsheet for us to place our grades well, so don’t forget to add your ever-valuable input! [Raw Charge]

Just like last year, we’re opening the process to all the readers to join in with the writers in grading the players. We’re asking you to fill out a quick survey using the typical A-F grading scale for thirteen forwards, eight defenders, and two goalies. The more people who respond the better so we encourage everyone to get involved.

The Prospects

Two days ago, the Syracuse Crunch won game three of their series against the Cleveland Monsters. [Raw Charge]

The Syracuse Crunch have not done anything the traditional way this season. Their North Division title came on the next to last day of the season with six rookies in the line-up. Throughout the season, they looked like world beaters one night and a beer-league team the next. They took too many penalties and had too many turnovers. Yet, they somehow won more than they lost. On Tuesday night, they used their off-kilter style to keep from getting swept as they held on to defeat the Cleveland Monsters 2-1 in Game 3 of their five game series.

Today, they have a chance to bring the series back home to Syracuse for a chance at the reverse sweep.

During the day leading up to the big game, feel free to have a look at where Cal Foote came from! Don’t say his leg.

The Orlando Solar Bears are already in the second round and have game one against the Florida Everblades set for Friday evening.

Sammy Walker? We know one of those!

The Game

The Toronto Marlies beat the Rochester Americans in a sweep, sending them to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs. They’ll play the Crunch or the Monsters starting sometime next week. For a recap of the game, check out PensionPlanPuppets.com around 8am or 9am where my game recap will be.

The Carolina Hurricanes did the thing. They really did the thing. They beat the Washington Capitals in seven games, needing double overtime and Justin Williams primary assist magic to get it done. They actually did it. Wait, why am I surprised after the playoffs we’ve seen this spring? This whole courtroom is out of order! [Canes Country]

That run will continue, after a heart-stopping 4-3 double-overtime win at Capital One Arena on Wednesday night, eliminating the Capitals and sending the Hurricanes through to the second round, where they will face the New York Islanders in the second round beginning Friday. All four division champions in the 2018-19 season were eliminated in the first round, and it was the Hurricanes - the Carolina Hurricanes! - administering the knockout blow.

Mike McKenna has a podcast and he had Greg Millen on for the show!

Roberto Luongo is the best. Full stop.

Highlight of the Night: What else but the 2OT winner.