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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Clinch Postseason Berth Despite 6-4 Loss

April 3, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford Wolf Pack overcame a two-goal third-period deficit and defeated the Syracuse Crunch, 6-4, Friday at XL Center. Syracuse (40-20-9-0) still managed to secure a spot in the Calder Cup Playoffs thanks to the Albany Devils claiming a shootout win over the Springfield Falcons.

Marek Hrivik was the game's first star, potting two goals, including the game-winner at 15:44 of the third to give Hartford its first lead of the game. Three of the Wolf Pack's five goals in the third were power-play markers, including an empty-net score.

Syracuse took two-goal leads three times in the game, with Joel Vermin and Yanni Gourde providing first-period markers. The teams alternated goals through the second and early part of the third with Ryan Martindale collecting his 14th and 15th goals of the season. After Yanni Gourde set up Martindale's shorthanded marker at 4:14 of the third, the Wolf Pack registered the last four unanswered. The Crunch drop to 25-3-1-0 when leading after two periods.

Kristers Gudlevskis gave up four goals on 29 shots, but left the contest during a stoppage with five minutes remaining. Allen York entered the game and Hrivik's redirection of a Tommy Hughes right-point shot snuck inside the right post at 15:44. Ryan Bourque notched the second assist.

Rookie Mackenzie Skapski denied 33 of Syracuse's 37 shots to capture Hartford's first regulation win against Syracuse in the clubs' eighth matchup. The Crunch garnered 27 shots on goal through two frames to Hartford's 17, but the Pack outshot Syracuse 15 to 10 in the third. The Crunch were whistled for six minor penalties in the third.

Joel Vermin's 11th goal was unassisted at 6:56 of the first, taking the puck behind the net and wrapping around the right post and sneaking the puck through Skapski's legs. Gourde's team-leading 27th goal, a rip from the left circle, was created by J. P. Cote and Joey Mormina at 7:47 of the first.

Ryan Haggerty's 14th at 6:50 of the second came on a two-on-one breakaway following a steal near the blue line in his defensive zone. Jared Nightingale helped the Crunch reestablish the two-goal edge at 18:47 of the third, working the puck to Jonathan Marchessault who fed Martindale in the high slot for well-placed blast and a 3-1 Crunch lead.

Marek Hrivik converted from close range on a power play at 3:55 of the third, with Ryan Haggerty and Danny Kristo earning helpers. Jake Dotchin's stick caught Hrivik's face on the play and the ensuing double-minor led to Martindale's marker 19 seconds later, the seventh shorthanded goal for Syracuse this season. Yanni Gourde had the only assist, running his point total to 54 (27g, 27a).

Justin Vaive got Hartford back within a goal at 8:00 of the third, six seconds after Nightingale was called for closing his hand on the puck after a blocked shot. Mat Bodie and Oscar Lindberg assisted. Two minutes later Chris Bourque was sprung for a breakaway by Conor Allen and Joey Crabb. Bourque's 27th of the season tied the score.

Following Hrivik's go-ahead tip-in, Chris Mueller capped the scoring with his 13th, an empty-net power-play goal. Syracuse's penalty kill had given up three goals over the course of the 10 previous games. The team's power play was held scoreless for the third consecutive game (0-for-14). The Crunch return to action Saturday in Bridgeport at 7 p.m.

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