Syracuse, N.Y. (April 13, 2008) - Mark your calendars for Friday, April 18, 2008 for the first game of the Syracuse vs. Manitoba Calder Cup Playoffs at the Onondaga County war Memorial.

The Syracuse Crunch needed its 15th straight win to secure second place in the North Division and home-ice advantage. They delivered with a convincing 7-1 win over the Hamilton Bulldogs Sunday in front of a raucous crowd of 5,871.

The Crunch marketing gurus set the tone for the season and with the theme of “Don’t Stop Believing”. Near the bottom of the league back in November, Syracuse has risen like a Phoenix and pushed itself into a position where it stands to make a serious run for the Calder Cup to a city that hasn’t seen it since 1937.

Derek MacKenzie and Duvie Westcott scored first period goals. Clay Wilson and Gilbert Brule added second period markers while Zenon Konopka netted a pair in the third and Derick Brassard finished off the game with his 15th of the year.

While Syracuse was taking care of its own business, the Manitoba Moose needed a late goal in the third period to pull out a 4-3 win over Toronto. Despite the effort, Manitoba still finds itself in third place as the regular season comes to a close.

To watch highlights and hear postgame reaction, click "watch the story".

The Crunch’s North Division Semifinals schedule is as follows:

Game 1: Friday, April 18- Manitoba @ Syracuse, 7:30 p.m.
Game 2: Saturday, April 19- Manitoba @ Syracuse, 7:30 p.m.
Game 3: Tuesday, April 22- Syracuse @ Manitoba, 8:30 p.m.
Game 4: Friday, April 25- Syracuse @ Manitoba, 8:30 p.m.
*Game 5: Saturday, April 26- Syracuse @ Manitoba, 8:30 p.m.
*Game 6: Monday, April 28- Manitoba @ Syracuse, 7:00 p.m.
*Game 7: Tuesday, April 29- Manitoba @ Syracuse, 7:00 p.m.

Courtesy: Syracuse Crunch