Crunch Defeat Pirates in Overtime, Sweep Series

Published on May 3, 2013 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


Portland, ME - Ondrej Palat was the overtime hero as the Syracuse Crunch defeated the Portland Pirates 4-3 at the Civic Center, completing the three game sweep of Portland in their Eastern Quarterfinals Series. Pirates goaltender Chad Johnson faced 45 shots on goal in nearly 80 minutes of ice time, but allowed Palat's game winner with just 16 seconds left in the first overtime.

The Pirates were on the man advantage early, receiving the game's first power play as a result of a Jean-Philippe Cote interference call at 6:02 of the first period. However, the Crunch had the best scoring chance on the Portland man advantage. Tyler Johnson's breakaway chance was denied by Pirates' starter Chad Johnson, who shut the pads in time on a backhand attempt. The Pirates struck on the power play later in the period. After 1:23 of four on four, Alexandre Bolduc stepped out of the box to give the Pirates a man advantage. The Pirates captain, playing in his first game of the series, took a pass from Chris Brown and set up Andy Miele for Miele's his first of the playoffs at 15:57.

Syracuse needed only three seconds of power play time to even the game. Brown put the Crunch on the power play with an interference call at 6:54 in the second. Dan Sexton won the ensuing face off back to Matt Taormina, who set up Radko Gudas for the one time shot from the blue line. Gudas beat Chad Johnson for his first of the playoffs at 6:57. The Crunch had a chance to take the lead shortly after, as Mathieu Brodeur was sent off for holding at 7:49. The Pirates penalty kill denied the Crunch from getting a shot on net. After the Pirates failed to capitalize on a power play chance of their own, they found themselves back on the penalty kill as the result of a Michael Stone boarding call at 14:25. This time, it was Chad Johnson coming up big on the penalty kill. Johnson once again denied Crunch forward Tyler Johnson on a breakaway after he had slipped behind the Pirates defense.

Bolduc would give the Pirates the lead early in the third. After taking a feed from Miele and setting up behind the net, Bolduc skated out front and squeezed a shot through the pads of Desjardins 19 seconds into the period. The Pirates later capitalized on what would be their second of three power plays in the period. Nick Johnson tipped a Stone shot, past Desjardins and gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead at 10:47 of the third. The Crunch gained momentum as the period went on and turned up the pressure on Chad Johnson. Mike Angelidis finished off a three on two rush with J.T. Wyman and Mark Barberio to bring the Syracuse within one. The Crunch captain beat Johnson just under his glove for his first of the postseason at 13:59. Syracuse would pull Desjardins with just under 2 minutes to go, and their sustained pressure in the Pirates end as the paid off with the tying goal as Brett Connolly found Ondrej Palat for a one timer on the top of the crease with just 1:12 remaining in regulation.

Overtime saw both teams get quality chances to end the game. Chad Johnson made some key saves, keeping the season alive for Portland. The Pirates were outshot 15-4 in the overtime period, and 45-18 total for the game. With just 16.2 seconds left in the overtime period, Palat struck again, picking up a loose rebound off a Taormina shot to end the Pirates' season, and give the Crunch a 4-3 victory and series sweep.

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