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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Comeback Falls Short, Edged by Phantoms in Shootout

March 2, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Tye McGinn came up big for the second time, scoring with just 30 seconds remaining in the game to even the score, 2-2, and secure one point for the Syracuse Crunch. However, the team was unable to take down the Lehigh Valley Phantoms and fell in a shootout, 3-2, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.

The Phantoms kicked off scoring early in the second period off a marker from Danick Martel before Mike Blunden notched his third goal in two games. The Crunch went down again in the third when Cole Bardreau snuck one in. In the final seconds, McGinn was able to keep the Crunch alive and force overtime. Despite numerous scoring opportunities, neither team could find the back of the net in the extra frame and the game went to a shootout. Taylor Leier scored the game-winner for the Phantoms in the second round.

The loss puts Syracuse at 22-23-9-3 on the season. Lehigh Valley earned their first win in the four-game series, moving to 1-2-0-0 and 27-26-2-3 on the season.

Crunch goaltender Adam Wilcox made 28 saves and turned aside 2-of-3 shootout attempts, while Phantoms netminder Anthony Stolarz stopped 51 of a season-high 53 Crunch shots and all three shootout attempts. Syracuse went 1-for-3 on the power play and shutdown Lehigh Valley's one man-advantage.

After a scoreless first period, the Phantoms struck at 3:11 of the middle frame. Maxim Lamarche flipped one towards the cage for Martel to redirect past Wilcox. Aaron Palushaj earned a point on the opening tally.

Blunden evened the score halfway through the stanza. Jeff Tambellini ripped a slap shot that was tipped wide by the defense. The puck ricocheted off the end boards and around the cage for Blunden to jam home from the right goal post. Anthony DeAngelo recorded the secondary helper.

The Phantoms went back up at the 9:30 mark of the final frame. Bardreau lit the lamp from the right circle off assists from Colin McDonald and Petr Straka.

With just 30 seconds remaining in the contest, Erne controlled a rebound in front of the net and backhanded a pass for McGinn to chip in and force overtime. Blunden made it a multi-point game with an assist on the equalizer.

The extra frame saw a lot of action, but no goals, leading to a shootout where Leier scored the lone goal in the second round to take it for the Phantoms.

The Crunch travel to face the Portland Pirates on March 4 at 7 p.m.

Syracuse Crunch single game and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch Box Office located in the War Memorial on 800 South State Street in Syracuse or by calling the office at 315-473-4444. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@officialsyracusecrunch) using #SyrCrunch and #BelieveInBlue.

Crunchables: Mike Blunden now leads the Crunch with 19 goals this season...Anthony DeAngelo is on a five-game points streak with six assists.

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