NewsChannel 9 - Sports News

Crunch prepares for game 6 on home ice

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:48:32 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – Crunch fans have at least one more chance – and potentially two – to catch the team in action this season.

Tuesday night, the team will host game six of the Calder Cup Finals as they try to force a return for game 7 against Grand Rapids.

Syracuse fell behind 3-0 in the series before winning two to return the games back to Syracuse.

After returning to Syracuse on Sunday, the players were back on the ice Monday morning.

The Crunch players say they never gave up hope that they would return to their home ice. Their fans are excited about the team returning to play in the Salt City.

The Crunch will hit the ice Tuesday night potentially with a full arena.

"The fact that they're back here is absolutely great. To find out that at 10:30 Monday morning that there is hardly any tickets left at all, so that's pretty amazing,” said Crunch fan John Stiver.

"It was so cool after the game in Grand Rapids, our last phone in that night was 1:45 AM and you're thinking how awesome, how lucky and passionate that somebody would be passionate enough about trying to get through,” said Crunch COO Jim Sarosy.

It wasn’t long after that, the county was working on another pre-game event on the plaza for fans.

"It certainly leads to some time put in by the staff, but we love doing it. Anything we can do to support the Crunch, they've been doing such a great job as a team and we stand ready to support them and we think this plaza is a great place to do it,” said Deputy County Executive for Physical Services Matt Millea.

There are still tickets available.

To purchase a ticket by phone, call (315) 473-4444 or click on this link.

Justin Rose wins U.S. Open Championship

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 19:48:09 -0400

Ardmore, Pennsylvania (WSYR-TV) - Justin Rose won golf's U.S. Open Championship on Sunday at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.

It was Rose's first major championship title.

He shot par on Sunday and finished plus one-shot overall to secure the victory.

For full results, click here.

Monday marks Opening Day for Auburn Doubledays

Sun, 16 Jun 2013 23:59:13 -0400

Auburn (WSYR-TV) - The Auburn Doubledays will open up their season on Monday.

The team will play the Batavia Muckdogs at Falcon Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., weather permitting.

To see the entire Doubledays schedule, click here.

Crunch win Game 5; Calder Cup Finals coming back to Syracuse

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:41:57 -0400

Grand Rapids, Michigan (WSYR-TV) - The Syracuse Crunch defeated the Grand Rapids Griffins in Game 5 of the Calder Cup Finals Saturday night by a score of 5-2.

With the win the Crunch trail the best-of-seven series, 3-2.

The series will now return to Syracuse.

Game 6 is Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the War Memorial. You can purchase tickets by calling 315-473-4444.

Cato native Regan Smith wins again

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:28:44 -0400

BROOKLYN, MICHIGAN (WSYR-TV) - NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader and Cato native Regan Smith won the Alliance Truck Parts 250 Saturday at Michigan International Speedway.

He took the lead with 13 laps left in the race.

It was Smith's second win this year. He won at Talladega in early May.

For the full standings of the NASCAR Nationwide Series, click here.

Crunch avoid elimination, take game 4 of Calder Cup 3-2

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 00:24:03 -0400

Grand Rapids (WSYR-TV) - The Syracuse Crunch win game four of the Calder Cup Finals 3 to 2.

Down three games to none in the best of seven series, the Grand Rapids Griffins had the Crunch on the brink of elimination.

With their season on the line, the Crunch gave a strong effort, receiving goals from Ondrej Palat, Richard Panik and Brett Connolly.

The Griffins appeared to tie things up with 17 seconds left in the third period, but the goal was reviewed and overturned.

The Crunch had struggled against the Griffins thus far in the Calder Cup, leading only once in the previous three games.

Game five will be played Saturday night in Grand Rapids at 7 p.m.

The Crunch are in a must-win situation again.

A victory Saturday night will bring the series back to the War Memorial next week.

Officials confirm: Pro hockey returning to Utica

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 14:58:24 -0400

Utica (WSYR-TV) – The Syracuse Crunch may have a new rival coming to Upstate New York.

New York officials on Friday announced that hockey is returning to Utica.

The Utica Comets were named as the newest AHL affiliate for the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks.

Rumors and unconfirmed reports that Utica would receive a new NHL franchise had been swirling for some time in hockey circles.

The Comets will play in the Utica Memorial Auditorium, locally called, The Aud.

According to New York State, the Comets will create more than 50 new jobs, as well as dozens of part-time jobs.

AHL team returning to Utica according to report

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:32:10 -0400

Utica (WSYR-TV) – An AHL hockey team is returning to Utica according to a report by WUTR.

That report states that a Utica Memorial Auditorium official confirmed that the AHL Board of Governors met via conference call Thursday morning and approved the move.

According to sources, the team will be an affiliate of the NHL team Vancouver Canucks.

A formal announcement is expected to come Friday afternoon.

NASCAR driver killed in dirt racing event

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 10:26:17 -0400

Swedesboro, NJ (WSYR-TV/CNN) – A NASCAR driver died in a raceway crash on a dirt track in New Jersey Wednesday night.

Jason Leffler was competing in the “Night of Wings” event at Bridgeport Speedway.

The race was not sponsored by NASCAR.

Leffler was 37 years old.

Cicero honors UConn basketball star Breanna Stewart

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 22:57:59 -0400

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – The town of Cicero celebrated NCAA champion and All-American basketball player Breanna Stewart by declaring Wednesday “Breanna Stewart Day.”

The Cicero-North Syracuse graduate was joined by her parents as she accepted the honor.

Stewart said it feels great to have her community support her while she plays basketball at the University of Connecticut.