Albany, NY (April 15, 2012) – 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.

Crunchables: With tonight’s win the Crunch improve to 7-3-0 against the Devils this season…Emerson Etem’s goal was the first of his professional career, he made his pro debut on April 14 against the Connecticut Whale…The Crunch went 15-3-1-1 to close out the regular season.

Here's a look at the Crunch's playoff series with St John's:

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)

Tickets for the April 20 (Game A) and April 21 (Game B) home games will go on sale at 10 a.m. Monday, April 16.

Tickets that are labeled round 1 game A are to be used for the Syracuse Crunch home on April 20, 2012 and tickets that are labeled round 1 game B are to be used for the home game on April 21, 2012. Ticket prices are $19, $17 and $15 (day of game prices are $21, $19 and $17). Group discounts are available by calling the Crunch office.

Courtesy: Syracuse Crunch