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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Edged by Marlies, 3-2, in OT

January 3, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


TORONTO, ONTARIO - Matt Taormina netted a late goal with just 2:33 remaining in regulation to force overtime, but the Syracuse Crunch were unable to surpass the Toronto Marlies and were edged, 3-2, this afternoon at Ricoh Coliseum.

Adam Erne netted the opening marker for the Crunch, while Jeff Tambellini picked up an assist to take over as scoring leader on the team with 21 points. By making it to overtime today, the Crunch earned one point as they move to 14-13-5-1 and 1-2-2-0 in the season series with the Marlies. The Marlies remain atop the league standings with a 27-7-2-0 record.

Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis turned aside 32 of the 35 shots he faced. Marlies goaltender Antoine Bibeau picked up the win, stopping 25 of 27. Both teams struck once on the power play, with Syracuse going 1-for-4 and stopping four of five Toronto man-advantages.

The Marlies were first on the board early in the opening period. After a battle for possession in front of the cage, Zach Hyman gained control of the puck and backhanded it past Gudlevskis at the 3:50 mark. Casey Bailey and T.J. Brennan recorded the assists.

The Crunch evened the score at the 15:27 mark to send the teams into the first intermission knotted, 1-1. While on the man-advantage, Taormina passed along the blue line to Tambellini at the left point. He skated in and fired a shot from the top of the circle that was tipped past Bibeau by Erne.

Just 1:12 into the final frame, Toronto took back the lead with a power-play tally. Brennan scored with a slap shot from the high slot off a pass from Nikita Soshnikov. However, the Crunch fought back to even the score for a second time. With 2:33 remaining in regulation, Tanner Richard chipped the puck out for Taormina to net from the right circle and force overtime. Mike Blunden grabbed a point for the secondary assist on the equalizer.

Toronto went on to win it in overtime when Josh Leivo threw out a centering pass for Richard Panik to send home at the 3:30 mark of the extra period. Brennan earned his third point of the game with the secondary helper.

The Crunch will wrap-up their six-game road trip against the Albany Devils on Jan. 8 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 at 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: With an assist today, Jeff Tambellini now leads the Crunch with 21 points (12g, 9a). Defenseman Anthony DeAngelo is behind him with 20 points (3g, 17a)...The Crunch were unable to register a shot on goal during the second period...Tye McGinn had a three-game point streak snapped today (3g, 2a).

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