Despite an overtime loss on Friday night against the Rochester Americans, the Syracuse Crunch clinched their playoff spot for the upcoming 2023 Calder Cup Playoffs for their fifth consecutive playoff appearance. The Crunch are currently sitting in the second place in the North Division, ten points behind the Toronto Marlies.
CLINCHED ☑️ pic.twitter.com/cupjApKMbX
— x – Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) April 8, 2023
The Lightning/Crunch affiliation is just one of two NHL/AHL affiliations, whose teams made the postseason in their respective leagues every season since 2017-18.
The Lightning/Crunch affiliation has made the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Calder Cup Playoffs every season since 2017-18.
The only other NHL/AHL affiliation that can claim that is Boston/Providence. https://t.co/zWOGzGoLiA
— Lukas Favale (@LukasFavale) April 8, 2023
In yesterday’s game itself, the Crunch rallied back, scoring two goals in the third period, but unfortunately lost to the Americans in overtime after a Jiri Kulich’s power play goal. Declan Carlile and Ilya Usau scored for Syracuse, while Max Lagace made 38 saves on the night.
Got a point and our spot in the postseason!
📝: https://t.co/Sei1XxOE4B pic.twitter.com/BnpEmjOz7j
— x – Syracuse Crunch (@SyracuseCrunch) April 8, 2023
Lightning Links
Mikhail Sergachev wasn’t satisfied with two Stanley Cups in his latest interview with the NHL Network.
Mikhail Sergachev isn't satisfied with two Stanley Cups. #GoBolts @Jackie_Redmond | @EJHradek_NHL | @TBLightning | #NHLNow pic.twitter.com/nZebWEDnH5
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) April 7, 2023
The NHL spending gap between the most and the least spending teams in the NHL has reached record highs this season. According to Frank Seravalli, the Lightning spent around $104 million on player wage expenditure this season, which is $41 million more than the Arizona Coyotes did this year.
Exclusive: The #NHL’s spending gap between the big boys and budget-conscious teams has grown to a record level this season.
1. #GoBolts: $104.2m
–
32. #Yotes: $63.4mDeep dive on the dollars, incl. 4 yrs of context, with a huge assist from @CapFriendly:https://t.co/VygzLeoi2V
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) April 7, 2023
The Orlando Solar Bears lost to the Greenville Swamp Rabbits 7-3 last night.
Back to work tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/8cZB5pzMGB
— Orlando Solar Bears (@OrlandoHockey) April 8, 2023
Hockey News
University of Michigan forward Adam Fantilli received the 2023 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top individual player in college hockey.
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award Committee is pleased to announce that Adam Fantilli, a freshman forward from the University of Michigan, has been named the recipient of the 2023 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, hydrated by BioSteel, recognizing the top individual player in college… pic.twitter.com/0yI5o4HbXA
— Hobey Baker Award (@HobeyBakerAward) April 7, 2023
The Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi won the Mike Richter Award, becoming the only back-to-back winner in history.
Congratulations to Devon Levi on winning the Mike Richter Award, given annually to the top goaltender in men's college hockey, for the SECOND year in a row! 🙌
Details: https://t.co/Lr2O313Sns pic.twitter.com/l68lOe0KQZ
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) April 7, 2023
Team Canada defeated Czech Republic at the Women’s Worlds last night.
GAME OVER! Two games. Two wins. 🇨🇦🇨🇿
MATCH TERMINÉ! Deux matchs. Deux victoires. 🇨🇦🇨🇿
💻 https://t.co/ZQUe0vC2Q3
💻 https://t.co/aOLUV7cG5Q#WomensWorlds | #MondialFéminin pic.twitter.com/LPz7q0ds68— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) April 8, 2023
