The rivalry between the Utica Comets and Syracuse Crunch has heated up over the last two years and this billboard on Rt. 690 in Syracuse.

'Friends Don't Let Friends Root for Utica" is the giant message along the busy highway currently in the rival city.

Both the Comets and the Crunch lead in their respective AHL divisions.  The Comets lead all teams in the Western Conference and their Northern Division with 85 points.  The Crunch are in first-place in the Northeast division of the Eastern Conference with 84 points.  While it might be considered somewhat unlikely, it is possible that Syracuse and Utica could meet in the AHL best of 7 finals; they would each need to win their conference championship to make that happen.

The Comets play Syracuse one more time this season, at home on April 12th, a Sunday matinee game at the Aud; that game will serve as the rubber match for the series.  Currently, Syracuse leads the season series 3-2 with one of those wins coming in overtime.  An outright win on the 12th would win the series for Utica.

More From WIBX 950