AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Comeback Falls Short in Shootout

Published on October 12, 2012 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Rochester, NY - The Crunch scored four unanswered goals to overcome a three goal deficit before ultimately falling to Rochester Americans 6-5 in a shootout.

The Crunch climbed back from a 4-1 deficit but were unable to complete the comeback. Amerks right wing Mark Mancari scored the game-winner in the bottom of the fifth round of the shootout.

The Amerks jumped out to an early lead thanks to a goal from Corey Tropp just 24 seconds into the game. Tropp completed a two-on-one chance when he buried a pass from Cody Hodgson past Crunch netminder Dustin Tokarski.

Reigning defenseman of the year Mark Barberio tied the game with a power-play goal at the 5:28 mark of the first period. Barberio's shot got past Rochester goaltender David Leggio, who was being screened by Crunch right wing Richard Panik.

Rochester's Tropp scored his second goal of the game when he flipped his own rebound past Tokarski with 5:08 to play in the first frame. Marcus Foligno extended Rochester's lead to 3-1 with a shot from the left circle at the 16:12 mark. Shots were 10-10 after 20 minutes of play.

Mark Pysyk put the Amerks up 4-1 with a point shot that deflected past Tokarski with 16:38 to play in the second stanza. Pysyk's goal was assisted by Evan Rankin and Phil Varone.

Crunch captain Mike Angelidis scored Syracuse's second goal of the game with less than a minute remaining in the second period. Amerks goaltender Leggio stopped J.T. Wyman's breakaway attempt but Angelidis was in position to knock in the rebound. Shots in the second period were 12-3 in favor of Syracuse.

Cory Conacher brought the Crunch within one with an early third period goal. Conacher scored off a set-up pass from Ondrej Palat with 1:42 into the third period.

The Crunch tied the game with 11:59 to play in regulation when Tyler Johnson one-timed a Conacher feed past Leggio from the top of the crease. Johnson scored again on the man-advantage just over two minutes later to put the Crunch on top 5-4.

The lead was short-lived as Mancari took advantage of a 5-on-3 power play and tied the game on a wrist shot with 7:18 remaining. The Crunch found themselves two men down after Keith Aulie was called for slashing and Wyman for delay of game.

Neither team was able to break the tie in the remainder of regulation or the extra overtime session. Mancari scored the only shootout goal to give the Amerks the 6-5 victory.

Crunchables: Mark Baerberio and J.P. Cote wore the A's in tonight's game...Tonight's game was Namestnikov's first North American professional game, he picked up an assist on Barberio's first period goal...The Crunch will hold their home opener the War Memorial Arena on Saturday, Oct. 13. The Crunch host the Hershey Bears at 7:30 p.m.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 12, 2012


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