Crunch join the playoff party

The Syracuse Crunch clinched a berth in the 2017 Calder Cup Playoffs by virtue of Utica’s 1-0 loss to St. John’s on Sunday afternoon.

The Crunch, who missed the postseason in 2016, are the ninth team into the 16-team field.

This will be Syracuse’s third playoff appearance in five years during its affiliation with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Crunch reached the Calder Cup Finals in 2013.

The AHL’s 2016-17 regular season ends Saturday, Apr. 15; for more information and daily updates on the Calder Cup Playoff races, check out the official AHL Playoff Primer.