Mayor Walsh and County Executive McMahon Light Up Syracuse Blue

Mayor Walsh and County Executive McMahon Light Up Syracuse Blue

Published on April 24, 2025

Syracuse's AHL Hockey Team Faces Rochester in Upstate New York Playoff Matchup

Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh and Onondaga County Executive J. Ryan McMahon II announced City Hall, Onondaga County buildings and sites around Syracuse are lighting up blue tonight as the Syracuse Crunch open the 2025 American Hockey League (AHL) Calder Cup Playoffs. The Crunch face Upstate New York rival the Rochester Americans Friday night in Game 1 of the best-of-five North Division Semifinals.

"The City of Syracuse will show off our pride in the Syracuse Crunch tonight and through the weekend as they kick off the 2025 Calder Cup Playoffs just down the Thruway. And we'll be ready to welcome the team back when they return to home ice next week," said Mayor Walsh.

"Onondaga County is proud to show our pride and support for the Syracuse Crunch by lighting up our buildings blue as they open the Calder Cup playoffs!" County Executive McMahon continued, "I wish the Crunch the best of luck and encourage everyone to come show their support when they return to the Upstate Medical University Arena at Onondaga County War Memorial next week."

"We greatly appreciate County Executive McMahon, Mayor Walsh and the Syracuse community for their continued support of the Crunch," said Syracuse Crunch Owner Howard Dolgon. "We are proud to play in downtown Syracuse and are looking forward to our pursuit of the Calder Cup beginning with the North Division Semifinals series this weekend."

In addition to City Hall and County buildings, the National Grid building, Syracuse University's JMA Wireless Dome, Destiny USA and the Barclay Damon building will also be lighting up blue tonight.

The Crunch, AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League's Tampa Bay Lightning, finished third in the North Division this season. The Crunch went 5-5-1-1 against the Americans in the 2024-25 season. They completed the 12-game series March 30 with a 3-2 overtime win.

The North Division Semifinals begin at the BlueCross Arena with games in Rochester tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. and Sunday at 3:05 p.m. The series returns to Syracuse on Thursday, May 1 at 7 p.m. at Upstate Medical University Arena at the Onondaga County War Memorial. More information on the Syracuse Crunch and the Calder Cup Playoffs is at syracusecrunch.com/playoffs.

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