ALBANY, NY – The Crunch scored twice in the second period to secure a 2-1 win over the Albany Devils, and clinch the Eastern Conference’s seventh seed in the 2012 Calder Cup Playoffs, tonight at the Times Union Center.
The Devils got on the board first with a power-play goal with 5.5 seconds remaining in the first period. Albany right wing Mattias Tedenby’s one-timer beat Crunch netminder Iiro Tarkki while Mat Clark was serving two minutes for interference. Shots on goal were even at 11 after the first period.
The Crunch scored twice in the second period to carry a 2-1 lead into the second break. John Mitchell tied the game early in the middle frame when he stuffed a rebound past Albany goaltender Maxime Clermont. Emerson Etem cashed in on another Clermont rebound at the 12:13 mark of the period to put the Crunch ahead.
After a scoreless third period the Crunch clinched their first playoff berth since the 2007-08 season. The Crunch will face the second seeded St. John’s IceCaps in the opening round.
The Crunch’s Eastern Conference Quarter final series schedule:
Friday, April 20 – 7:30 p.m. (War Memorial)
Saturday, April 21 – 7:30 p.m. (War Memorial)
Wednesday, April 25 – 6:00 p.m. (Mile One Centre)
Friday, April 27 – 6:00 p.m. (Mile One Centre) (if necessary)
Saturday, April 28 – 6:00 p.m. (Mile One Centre) (if necessary)
(all times listed are Eastern Standard Time)
