SYRACUSE -- The lights turned off, and a single spotlight illuminated the ice as Syracuse Crunch mascot "Crunchman" rose up and began to fly around the arena, possibly a sign of things to come for the new look Syracuse Crunch?

The squad started their season in style Saturday night, skating to a 4-3 victory over the visiting Hershey Bears. The Crunch jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after a goal by Mike Angelidis in the first period and another by Tyler Johnson in the second period. Hershey's Garrett Mitchell answered with a goal of his own a little bit later in the second period.

Tied at 3 late in the third, Brett Connolly scored the game winner, to the delight of a packed War Memorial, with about five minutes left in regulation.

The Crunch will hit the road again in their next matchup with Albany on October 19th, and will return home on October 27th with a game against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.