AHL North Division Finals: Syracuse Crunch vs Toronto Marlies, game 3

The down and dirty

The Syracuse Crunch return to the Onondaga County War Memorial tonight to face the Toronto Marlies in game three of the North Division finals. Syracuse is down 0-2 in the series.

The good news: It isn’t nothing for Syracuse to take a team that was so good during the regular season to a second overtime, which is exactly what they did last night.

Last night was the longest #SyrCrunch game in franchise history, lasting 95 minutes and 10 seconds. It was the third multiple-overtime game in team history. All three have come in the last two postseasons. #GoGetIt

— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) May 6, 2018

The bad news: Toronto’s rolling, and the exhilaration of winning last night probably hasn’t worn off.

Just a gutting loss for Syracuse. They have to take four out of possible next five against this Marlies team.

— PATRICK WILLIAMS (@pwilliamsNHL) May 6, 2018

Getting some home cookin’ will hopefully rejuvenate a team that was still playing hockey less than 24 hours before tonight’s puck drop. Fans in attendance tonight will be able to cheer on their team with help from the night’s giveaway: rally towels.

Fill the barn this Sunday when your #SyrCrunch return to the War Memorial Arena for Game 3.

We’ll be handing out rally towels, courtesy of @BlueRockEnergy, to the first 2,500 fans.#CalderCup | #GoGetIt👊 pic.twitter.com/QN0ozqqjzL

— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) May 4, 2018

What you may have missed

• Our staff writer, Hardev, does double duty with Pension Plan Puppets, the Toronto Maple Leafs blog. He’s been doing a great job keeping Crunch fans up to date with the things happening in Toronto. His game two recap isn’t to be missed, especially if you need a dose of hope.
• Justin’s coverage here has also been impeccable. His series preview and game one recap were incredibly thorough and contain everything you would need to get caught up in what’s going on.
• Speaking of PPP, be sure to check out their own series preview for a look at things from the other side of the ice./

How to follow the Crunch tonight

• The pre-game radio broadcast with Lukas Favale will start at 6:45 EST on ESPN Syracuse. You can listen to the game in its entirety for free.
• AHL Live has special playoff pricing deals for every game of the AHL playoffs, as well as team-specific packages. There’s also a pay-per-view option.
• Be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram for updates if you’re away from other options.
• Look for pre-and-post-game interviews on the Crunch’s YouTube./

Other game information

Syracuse gained forward Matthew Peca back last night after he missed game one with an undisclosed injury. This was most opportune for Syracuse, as Peca was the only Crunch forward to cash in during regulation.

Matthew Peca puts the @SyracuseCrunch on the board first in Game 2#TORvsSYR pic.twitter.com/OKn4TY70I5

— AHL (@TheAHL) May 5, 2018

Unfortunately for the Crunch, Gabriel Dumont, the team’s other forward that has been battling an injury, tried to play last night but left the ice before the first period was finished. He did not return. I have my guesses as to what is going on, but it’s pure speculation that isn’t helpful to anyone right now.

Honestly, as much as Syracuse depends on him, he also needs to watch out for his own body, his own health, and his own career. Concern for him among the fan base is at an all-time high right now, and it might be time for the Crunch to plan on moving forward without him.

Obviously concern for Gabriel Dumont, who did not play in that second period. He was a game-time decision today and had been day-to-day for the last few weeks. #SyrCrunch now short a forward heading into the third. #GoGetIt https://t.co/h6xux5ZmRl

— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) May 5, 2018

With so little time between games - time that includes travel with a border crossing in the middle - the Crunch probably won’t make too many adjustments for tonight’s contest. Or, at least, they wouldn’t under normal circumstances.

There could be some interesting line-up decisions for these teams with double-overtime here and Game 3 tomorrow night. It will be three-plus games in four nights.

— PATRICK WILLIAMS (@pwilliamsNHL) May 6, 2018

Connor Ingram’s performance between the pipes for the Crunch last night was, by all accounts, incredible.

Can't say enough about Ingram today -- 55 saves against probably the most skilled team in the league.

— PATRICK WILLIAMS (@pwilliamsNHL) May 6, 2018

It’s probably very safe to assume he’ll get the nod tonight as long as he’s feeling fit to go. He played a ton of hockey last night, after all.

Ingram STEALS a Marchment shot out of the air! Everyone in the building but him thought the puck was going into the net there

— Hardev Lad (@HardevLad) May 5, 2018

Something to keep an eye on: Syracuse’s secondary scoring seemed to go on a bit of an uncharacteristic vacation last night. It’d be nice to see a resurgence with the Crunch back in their own barn.

Also something to keep an eye on: News broke this afternoon that Crunch defenseman Mat Bodie has been suspended for two games. He will miss tonight’s game and Tuesday’s game 4. Ben Thomas, who has been in and out of the lineup lately, will probably find himself back in because of this.

Time to rise up.#CalderCup | #GoGetIt👊 pic.twitter.com/dIGewVHGoY

— Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) April 20, 2018