while the Tampa Bay Lightning lost in their first-round series, their American Hockey League and ECHL affiliates advanced out of the first round in their respective playoffs.
On Friday (May 10), the Syracuse Crunch defeated the Rochester Americans 5-2 in their Game 5 finale.
The Orlando Solar Bears advanced to the second round when they defeated the Greenville Swamp Rabbits in six games.
As a franchise with a long string of playoff appearances in the NHL playoffs, the Lighting values its affiliates’ participation as part of the development process.
This continued success has come under the direction of general manager Julien Brisebois, who spent eight seasons as assistant general manager under Steve Yzerman before being promoted to general manager in 2018.
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As assistant general manager, BriseBois assisted in all aspects of player personnel decisions.
Whether it was player development, analytics, contract preparation and negotiation, collective bargaining agreement interpretation, compliance, and salary arbitration for the Lightning and the Crunch, for whom he also served as general manager, he helped set the stage for the Crunch’s string of AHL playoff appearances.
Crunch Advance With Thrilling Game 5 Win
After squandering a 3-0 lead and falling at home in overtime in Game 4, the Syracuse Crunch rallied and defeated the Rochester Americans, 5-2, in the winner-take-all Game 5 to advance to the North Division Finals.
After taking a 3-2 lead into the third period, The Crunch scored in the third to build on their lead.
Alex Barré-Boulet moved the ball down the left wing and made a last-minute pass for Cole Koepke to score his second of the night.
Felix Robert then scored an empty-net goal to seal the victory for the Crunch and send the team to the North Division finals.
Brandon Halverson started in all five games of the series and won the fifth game, stopping breaking 16 of those matches with goals. -18 shots.
With the Lightning eliminated, the Crunch increased their roster depth as Tampa reassigned goaltender Matt Tomkins and defensemen Max Crozier and Emil Lilleberg to Syracuse.
Lilleberg appeared in all five games for the Lightning in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, while Crozier appeared in three games.
Solar Bears advance to second round
In series with three games into overtime, the Solar Bears eliminated the Swamp Rabbits in Game 6 5-1 on Tuesday, April 30.
Evan Fitzpatrick made 46 saves as the Solar Bears faced the defending champions Kelley Cup Florida Everblades in the South Division finals.
During the regular season, the Solar Bears were led by Brayden Low, who had 23 goals and 49 points, and Aaron Luchuk, who had 22 goals and 49 points. Spencer Kersten had six goals and eight points in the first round.
Fitzpatrick has played in 24 regular season games and is averaging 2.59 goals against a .915 save percentage.
Currently leading the Everblades 3-1 in the series, the Solar Bears are Led by Jaydon Dureau and Darik Angeli, who each scored 11 points in the Bears’ 10 playoff games.
Fitzpatrick has scored in all 10 matches, averaging 3.08 goals against a .906 save percentage.
The Solar Bears will look to avoid elimination when they host the Everblades on Saturday (May 11). .
The Crunch will face the Cleveland Monsters in the North Division Finals, with Game 1 on Thursday, May 16 and Game 2 on Saturday, May 18.
If needed, the Crunch will return home to host the Monsters. wrestling for Game 3 on Wednesday, May 18. 22 and Game 4 on Friday, May 24. Cleveland will host Game 5 on Sunday, May 26.