Syracuse Crunch opens season in quiet, eerie fashion Updated Feb 06, 2021; Facebook Share Syracuse, N.Y -- Since the Syracuse Crunch joined the AHL in 1994, the team has strived to create a string of memorable opening nights that stand out and apart as individually unique as the snowflakes piled up outside the War Memorial. Through no desire or joy on its part, the team accomplished that to the most extreme end possible on Saturday night. The team’s 27th home opener was seen in person by almost no one, and hopefully no one will see anything remotely like it ever again.