SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — With their backs against the wall in a win-or-go-home scenario, the Syracuse Crunch are calling for reinforcements… its fan base. Syracuse is back in the North Division finals for the first time since 2018, but the first two games didn’t go as planned.
The Cleveland Monsters were winners of both games inside Rocket Morgage Fieldhouse, resulting in the Monsters needing to win just one more game as the series shifts to the “Salt City.” However, Crunch diehards like Brian Green believe they can provide the extra boost for the team on the ice to get a win Wednesday night.
“I hope it means a lot to [the players]. They mean a lot to us, so I hope they return the favor,” Green said. “It would be so great for the organization and the city if they could rattle off three straight wins. That’s the ultimate goal, but I think everyone should just be focused on tonight.”
In their most recent home game last round against the Rochester Americans the crowd showed up and showed out for the Crunch. According to the American Hockey League website, 5,888 fans were in attendance, which is less than 300 away from capacity inside Upstate Medical University Arena. During the regular season, Syracuse averaged the fourth best attendance in the Eastern Conference, which correlated to the top winning percentage in the division when playing home games.
Vice President of Communications & Digital Media Megan Cahill has worked with the Crunch for nearly a decade and is still amazed at the support the fans provide. During the playoff push the front office came up with the slogan “#CupHungry,” which has been embraced by former players on social media to create buzz about the team.
“Our fans always show up and always bring the energy, regardless of the circumstances,” Cahill said. “Nobody that I’ve talked to is thinking negatively about how we are down in the series, instead they want to come to the arena and make their voices heard later tonight.”
Earlier in the afternoon players and coaches also mentioned how vital a big crowd is during the playoffs and that they feed off the energy throughout the game. Forward Alex Barre-Boulet has spent time with the organization’s NHL-affiliate, the Tampa Bay Lightning during their postseason runs and urged fans to come to the rink.
“I think sometimes fans don’t really understand the impact that they have on us,” Barre-Boulet said. “Things didn’t go our way in Cleveland but now we are back home in front of our fans. We know it’s going to be loud, and we have to take advantage of it.”
All fans received a free #CupHungry rally towel at the door to make their presence felt even more. If the Crunch pull out the win, game four is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m.
