The Syracuse Crunch returned to practice this morning after last taking the ice five months ago in the American Hockey League Playoffs.
The Crunch held its first official practice at the Onondaga War Memorial for about two hours in preparation for the team's first exhibition game Thursday. Players and fans are excited for opening night.
"Coming out and having the fans cheer and going crazy really gets your blood going," says defenseman Trevor Hendricks, "At that point there’s really nothing going on in my mind but hockey. I’m focused on the game. It’s a great rush having all the fans cheering like that.”
"It’s kind of a rite of passage for my son and I," says longtime fan John Walsh, "We love hockey and it’s a new time of year. Excitement builds this time of year. The preseason starting tomorrow and the real games starting next week makes it an exciting time of the year."
The excitement won't build for long; the Crunch plays its first game a day after practice began which may make it tough on the team.
"We have to gel together today, get a feel for each other, and get to work," says forward John Mirasty.
Although tomorrow's contest is a preseason game, Mirasty says he's out to win each time he plays, "I definitely play to win, I don’t like losing. Most guys don’t want to lose. No matter what level you play at you want to win. You want to put a product on the ice the fans are going to like and we want to win also."
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