4/8/09: Binghamton Senators vs Syracuse Crunch

Ottawa's AHL affiliate from Binghamton finally returned for their last game against Syracuse. Didn't really bother too much, just tried to get cards I had signed. Was able to get a couple injured Syracuse players in the stands.

Cards:

Syracuse Crunch
Jon Mirasty - 1
Andrey Plekhanov - 1

Binghamton Senators
Denis Hamel - 1
Ilya Zubov - 1

Autographed Cards Today: 4, Overall: 216

4/3/09: Rockford Icehogs vs Syracuse Crunch

Under a week and a half before the end of the season, and the Rockford Icehogs (Chicago Blackhawks AHL affiliate) make their first appearance. It was wet out and a bunch of loud and obnoxious Rockford fans were screwing up most of the autograph attempts inside, so I ended up outside. Did happen to get one of the Crunch players I missed and got most of what I needed from Rockford, although I did miss some.

Cards:

Syracuse Crunch
Brian McGuirk - 1

Rockford Icehogs
Corey Crawford - 1
Jordan Hendry - 2
Akim Aliu (On OPC Chicago Blackhawks logo card) - 1

Cards Today: 5, Overall: 212

Atlanta Thrashers Program (1 Today, 13 Overall):
Jimmy Sharrow

Rockford Icehogs Logo Sheet (22 Players):
#20 - Akim Aliu (Bottom Left Logo)
#14 - Dan Bertram
#5 - Mike Brennan
#8 - Tim Brent
#7 - Evan Brophey
#22 - Joe Charlebois
#38 - Jeff Christian
#11 - Brian Connelly
#29 - Corey Crawford (Bottom Right Logo)
#28 - Jake Dowell (Bottom Right not touching logo, looks like 29)
#4 - Danny Groulx (Top Left Corner Logo)
#6 - Jordan Hendry
#23 - Adam Hobson
#37 - Rob Klinkhammer
#15 - Pete MacArthur
#32 - Sean McMorrow
#40 - Tyler Mosienko
#30 - Antti Niemi (Signed as #31)
#10 - Adam Pineault
#33 - Mike Radja
#3 - Jimmy Sharrow
#21 - Logan Stephenson

3/28/09: Lake Erie Monsters vs Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse Crunch card night, added to the fact that I had nothing I wanted from Lake Erie meant that the only thing I even attempted to do was to get cards signed by Syracuse. Overall, a great result for those + my other cards.

Cards:
Mike York - 3
Craig MacDonald - 1
Alexandre Picard - 1
Derek MacKenzie - 1
Trevor Frischmon - 1
Kevin Lalande - 1
Grant Clitsome - 1
Mike Blunden - 1
Kevin Harvey - 1
Ryan Garlock - 2
Stefan Legein - 1
Dan LaCosta - 1
Tom Sestito - 1
Nikita Filatov - 1
Maksim Mayorov - 1
Nick Holden - 1
Jonathan Sigalet - 1

Cards Today: 20, Overall Cards: 207

3/27/09: San Antonio Rampage vs Syracuse Crunch

The only time San Antonio (Phoenix Coyote's AHL affiliate) came to town. Just as Houston did, San Antonio was apparently staying at the hotel, so they were all leaving in all sorts of directions. Did not get any cards, which was disappointing, however I did print off a nice pic of Karl Goehring for him to sign.

Photos
Karl Goehring

San Antonio Rampage Logo Sheet (18 Players):
#15 - Alexander Nikulin
#4 - David Schlemko
#16 - Simon Ferguson
#24 - Jonas Ahnelov
#17 - David Spina
#37 - Sean Sullivan
#10 - Garth Murray
#25 - Kevin Porter
?? - Chris Frank???? (to right of logo)
#11 - Wyatt Smith
#31 - Joel Gistedt
#27 - Adam Keefe
#8 - Sean Zimmerman
#93 - Alex Bourret
#30 - Karl Goehring
#7 - Jeff May
#19 - Brett MacLean (Bottom right corner from logo, looks like a 36 in there)
#22 - Francis Lessard

3/21/09: Albany River Rats vs Syracuse Crunch

Final trip by Carolina's AHL affiliate from Albany. Not many players I didn't already have, but finally Bobby Hughes made an appearance. Finally was able to get him to sign, so at least it wasn't a waste.

Cards:
Bobby Hughes - 1

Overall Cards 2008-09 Season: 187

Albany River Rats Logo Sheet (4 New Players, Overall: 30 Players, 1 Coach):
#19 - Bobby Hughes
#9 - Tomas Pospisil
#25 - Cory Quirk
#14 - Yannick Tifu

3/20/09: Rochester Americans vs Syracuse Crunch

Another game between these two rivals. Pretty much only went after my Shawn Matthias cards, as well as a few on my logo sheet.

Cards:
Shawn Matthias - 3

Overall hockey cards: 186

Rochester Americans Logo Sheet: (New: 4 Players, 2 Coaches Overall: 21 Players, 2 Coaches):
#3 - Jason Garrison
#25 - Jordan Henry
#21 - Shawn Matthias
#5 - Janis Sprukts
Head Coach - Benoit Groulx
Asst Coach - Jason Cipolla

3/17/09: Syracuse Crunch Autograph Appearance @ Tullys

Another Tullys appearance, where the only reason we were going is because I still had Alexandre Picard cards that I have owned for over a year that were still unsigned. I figured I might as well bite the bullet and head over to get them done and over with. He was actually very friendly, a contrast from past years that we had seen him around. He seems much happier after his latest demotion from Columbus.

Cards:
Alexandre Picard - 2

Overall Cards: 183

3/17/09: Syracuse Crunch Bartending Appearance @ Chadwicks

Since it was a boring we, we decided to make a bunch of these appearances, after not going to basically any all year. Appearing at this were newly signed Nick St. Pierre, as well as Stefan Legein and Nikita Filatov. This appearance was actually fun, since it was a relatively down to Earth crew who at least chatted a bit.

Photos:
Nikita Filatov signed draft day photo

Pucks:
Puck signed by all 3 (Stefan Legein, Nick St Pierre, and Nikita Filatov)

3/16/09: Syracuse Crunch Autograph Appearance @ Tullys

While we were out, we stopped by this appearance at Tullys. We weren't sure who would be there, as there were a lot of roster changes. Turns out that the only thing I bothered getting was a pocket schedule signed by Dan Smith, since he is the cover player for it.


Syracuse Crunch Schedule signed by Dan Smith

3/16/09: Syracuse Crunch Bartending Appearance @ Quaker Stake And Lube

We were out driving and decided to head out to Quaker Stake and Lube's bartending session for the Syracuse Crunch. Appearing were Kevin Harvey, Steve Kelly, and Michael Blunden. None of them seemed in the best of moods, to say the least..oh well.

Cards:

Michael Blunden - 1

Overall 181

Pucks:

Steve Kelly

3/14/09: Rochester Americans vs Syracuse Crunch

Even though Syracuse plays Rochester (Florida's AHL affiliate) 6 times at home, this is the first time we have seen them since October. After this night, there are 3 more games against them. Yawn. Overall, not a bad deal. Everyone was pretty good, of the players who were there. Interestingly enough, I didn't bother getting Rochester either of the first two games, so this is the start of my logo sheet for them.

Cards:
Drew Larman - 1
Tyler Plante - 2
Kendal McArdle - 1
David Brine - 1

Overall Hockey Cards This Year: 180

Rochester Americans Logo Sheet (17 Players):
#29 - Mike Brodeur
#35 - Tyler Plante
#2 - Michael Caruso
#7 - Drew Larman
#8 - Keaton Ellerby
#10 - Stefan Meyer
#12 - Peter Aston
#14 - Michael Duco
#17 - Dan Collins
#18 - Andrew Sweetland (Looks like 8 on right)
#19 - Karl Stewart
#22 - Kendal McArdle
#26 - Michal Repik
#28 - Judd Blackwater
#34 - David Brine
#42 - Randall Gelech
#45 - Riley Emmerson

3/13/09: Lake Erie Monsters vs Syracuse Crunch

Didn't really need much from Lake Erie. Only thing I really bothered with was logo sheet, as I didn't have much for anyone. Not really much to say here, lol.


Lake Erie Logo Sheet (5 Players, 1 Coach Today...29 Players Overall, 2 Coaches)
#17 - Josh Aspenlind
#21 - Mike Bartlett
#23 - Matthew Ford
#38 - Per Ledin
#24 - Robert Snowball
Asst Coach - Sylvain Lefebvre (Under Logo)

3/11/09: Toronto Marlies vs Syracuse Crunch

Last game of the season against Toronto. Missed out on Jeremy Williams and Mark Bell was traded a few days before. I was deciding between continuing my Toronto Marlies logo sheet or using a new one. See, earlier this year, the photo paper I used was flimsy and easily smearing. The new brand I have been using is great with little or no smears since I've started with them. Unfortunately, I chose to continue on the old sheet. My LAST signature on it, I was about to leave when I saw Greg Gilbert. I had him sign my final card I found of him. Unfortunately, while trying to get my binder open, I pressed the logo sheet against my chest. Yep, smeared the whole signature. Bad ending to some god awful photo paper!

Cards:

Ryan Hollweg - 3
Bates Battaglia - 1
Greg Gilbert (Coach) - 1

Cards Today: 5, Overall: 175

Misc:

Adam Munro Syracuse Crunch Photo

Toronto Marlies Logo Sheet: (4 New Players, 31 Players Overall + 1 Coach)
#2 - Jeremy Swanson (Bottom #2)
#7 - Todd Perry
#10 - Jay Rosehill (signed #8, his old number)
#15 - Andrew Martins

3/6/09: WBS Penguins vs Syracuse Crunch

Yet again, Wilkes Berre/Scranton comes to town. A couple days prior to this game, Miroslav Satan was sent down from the NHL. Most of us assumed he would be in attendance or at least thought there was a good possibility. Nope, no sign of him. Chris Minard made his first appearance in Syracuse, this year, though. At least that was a little consolation prize.

Cards:

Chris Minard - 1

Overall Different Autographed Hockey Cards This Year: 170

Pucks:

Chris Minard - WBS
Bill Thomas - WBS

Photos:

Jonathan Sigalet - Syracuse Crunch Photo ($5 Donation to MS)

WBS Penguins Logo Sheet (3 Players Today, 31 Players and 2 Coaches Overall)
#30 - David Brown
#14 - Chris Minard
#8 - Andy Wozniewski

2/28/09: Albany River Rats vs Syracuse Crunch

This was one of the first games played by Albany after the unfortunate bus accident. This meant a few extra PTOers and such, while a few of the guys I really wanted were injured and obviously not there. And again Bobby Hughes misses another game in Syracuse. One good thing is that Brandon Sutter (1st round pick from 2007 draft, 11th overall) was on a conditioning assignment. Not the most congenial guy though.

Cards:

Jeff Daniels (Coach) - 2

Overall Cards 169

Pucks:

Brandon Sutter - Albany River Rats/Carolina Hurricanes

Albany River Rats Logo Sheet
#2 - Noah Babin
#3 - Benn Olson
#6 - Ryan McGinnis (2nd #6 to sign sheet, his is on Rat's head)
#7 - Brett Carson
#9 - Ryan Cruthers (2nd #9 to sign sheet, his is on left side)
#12 - Aaron Clarke
#16 - Jakub Petruzalek
#23 - Brandon Sutter
#34 - Mitch Ganzak
#36 - Brad Herauf
Asst Coach - Geordie Kinnear
#24 - Pat Dwyer (Repeat autograph on same sheet...oops!)

2/27/09: Grand Rapids Griffins vs Syracuse Crunch

Grand Rapids made their final visit of the year (though it is a possibility if Syracuse makes the playoffs, that they could face them in the 1st round). Darren McCarty was down on a conditioning assignment, and I have to say that he was very good to the many fans who showed up for him. Overall, a pretty good night.

Cards:
Darren McCarty - 2
Jonathan Ericsson - 1
Jim Paek (Asst Coach) - 8

Cards Today 11, Overall Cards 167

Pucks:

Justin Abdelkader - Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Griffins Logo Sheet (5 Players Today, 21 Players Overall)
#44 - Aaron Downey (Bottom of Logo)
#4 - Jonathan Ericsson
#25 - Darren McCarty (Middle of Logo, no #)
#16 - Ryan Oulahen
#23 - Jamie Tardif

2/20/09: WBS Penguins vs Syracuse Crunch

Third trip by the Wilkes Berre/Scranton Penguins. Didn't need too much at all, but I was able to get everything I needed.

Cards:

Alex Goligoski - 1

Overall Cards = 156

WBS Penguins Logo Sheet (4 Players Today, 28 Players and 2 Coaches Overall)
#20 - Paul Bissonnette
#13 - Alex Goligoski
#15 - Dave Gove
#25 - Janne Pesonen

2/16/09: Hershey Bears vs Syracuse Crunch

Another one and done team here. My guess is, with Hershey's location (AHL affiliate of Washington Capitals) is that we will see this team probably as soon as next year. A very strong and skilled team, unfortunately a few ducked out that I wanted to get to sign, which sucked. Not too bad, though.

Cards:

Oskar Osala - 1
Sami Lepisto - 2

Overall 155 Cards

Hershey Bears Logo Sheet (17 Overall, 15 Players and 2 Coaches)
#2 - Patrick McNeill
#36 - Oskar Osala (Number is lower right of it)
#5 - Tyler Sloan
#1 - Daren Machesney
#10 - Andrew Gordon (Number is tough to read)
#23 - Andrew Joudrey
Head Coach - Bob Woods (Right of logo)
#35 - Kris Mayotte
#20 - Bryan Helmer (# is in logo)
#21 - Graham Mink
Asst Coach - Mark French (Lower Left)
#6 - Sean Collins
#19 - Darren Reid
#33 - Patrick Wellar
#11 - Keith Aucoin
#39 - Kip Brennan (looks like #7)
#37 - Sami Lepisto

2/14/09: Springfield Falcons vs Syracuse Crunch

The one and only time we get to see Springfield (AHL affiliate of the Edmonton Oilers). Knowing AHL scheduling, we probably won't even see this franchise again for a few years. Quite busy with hometown area guys Rob Schremp and Tim Sestito, as well as ex-Syracuse player Gilbert Brule, all being on the team. Add to that ex-NHL goaltender Dany Sabourin and the main areas were mobbed. Overall, great night except for Brule being his normal stuck on himself. It was nice to see a conditioning assignment, too...although J-F Jacques isn't a huge name or anything.

Cards:

Gilbert Brule - 4
Shane Willis - 2
Sebastien Bisaillon - 1
Jean-Francois Jacques - 1
Mathieu Roy - 1
Rob Schremp - 3

Cards Today = 12, Overall = 152

Pucks:

Dany Sabourin - Springfield Falcons

Springfield Falcons Logo Sheet (19 Overall: 18 Players, 1 Coach)
#15 - Tyler Spurgeon
#20 - Geoff Paukovich
#17 - Ryan Potulny
#39 - Hans Benson
#10 - Mike Gabinet
#26 - Sebastien Bisaillon
#11 - Tim Sestito
#18 - Colin McDonald
#21 - Shane Willis
#44 -Rob Schremp
Assistant Coach - Gerry Fleming
#13 - Viacheslav Trukhno
#40 - Devan Dubnyk
#27 - Jean-Francois Jacques
#6 - Jake Taylor
#36 - Mathieu Roy
#37 - Cody Wild
#22 - Ryan O'Marra
#30 -Dany Sabourin (looks like #20 on right of logo)

2/13/08: Grand Rapids Griffins vs Syracuse Crunch

A bit of a bummer when a division opponent only comes to the area twice and the dates are only 2 weeks apart. Grand Rapids (Detroit Red Wings AHL affiliate) was relatively alright. This was the start of 3 straight games where it was the first time we saw them. The only person who avoided at all was Jim Paek, the assistant coach, which surprised me.

Cards:

Jim Howard - 5
Justin Abdelkader - 1
Cory Emmerton - 1
Mattias Ritola - 3

Autographs Today = 10, Overall = 140

Grand Rapids Logo Sheet: (16 Players)
#3 - Logan Pyett
#5 - Jakub Kindl
#6 - Brett Peterson
#7 - Garrett Stafford
#8 - Cory Emmerton
#10 - Jason Jozsa
#13 - Jan Mursak
#17 - Francis Pare (#17 is at beginning of sig)
#18 - Mattias Ritola
#19 - Justin Abdelkader
#20 - Darren Haydar
#22 - Mike Walsh
#27 - Aaron Gagnon
#28 - Sergei Kolosov (#28 well under his sig)
#31 - Daniel Larsson
#33 - Jimmy Howard