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Syracuse Crunch

Gourde OT Goal at Utica Extends Crunch Win

December 13, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


UTICA, N.Y. - A late strike from Mike Angelidis forced overtime and a quick stick from Yanni Gourde snatched a victory for Syracuse Saturday in Utica, a 2-1 overtime win for the Crunch (16-7-3-0) over the Comets (17-5-5-0). Syracuse's win streak stands at six games, the club's longest since the 2013 Calder Cup Playoffs. The Crunch are two points short of the conference lead.

Kristers Gudlevskis earned first-star honors with 28 saves on 29 Utica shots. The second-year pro improved to 8-4-0 while shrinking his goals-against average from 3.24 to 3.03 and boosting his save percentage from .892 to .898.

It came down to the final minute of overtime during three-on-three play. Joey Mormina slid a pass from the right point to Yanni Gourde at the Comets' goal mouth. He quickly passed it cross-crease to Tanner Richard. Richard gave it right back to Gourde who put it past the glove of righty-catching goalie Joacim Eriksson for his third game-winning goal of the season and 11th overall, both team highs.

A scoreless tie was not broken until late in the final stanza. The Comets claimed the game's first goal at 15:09 of the third when Brandon DeFazio scored from the left point, his ninth of the year. Henrik Tommernes and Bobby Sanguinetti garnered assists.

The Crunch answered two minutes later with the same line that provided Friday's game-tying goal vs. Hershey. Henri Ikonen's left-point shot was saved by Eriksson with Mike Blunden and Mike Angleidis crashing the net. Angelidis potted the rebound, his 10th goal of the year, to even the score, 1-1. Joey Mormina collected the secondary assist, his first of two on the night. Ikonen has three points in the last two games..

The Crunch had a stretch of opportunities in extra minutes including Jonathan Marchessault and Vladislav Namestnikov on a 2-on-0. Eriksson, who recorded 29 saves, denied several odd-man chances. Gudlevskis made four saves in overtime including two key pad saves.

The Crunch continue their stretch of three consecutive road games Wednesday against the Rochester Americans at Blue Cross Arena. The Crunch-Amerks season series is tied, 1-1, with each side earning a shutout.

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