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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Outlasted by Senators, 6-4

March 5, 2017 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


BINGHAMTON, N.Y. - After going down by two goals, the Syracuse Crunch were unable to catch the Binghamton Senators as they chased the team in a 6-4 loss at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena to split the home-and-home series this weekend.

The Senators were first on the board before Daniel Walcott opened scoring for Syracuse. Matthew Peca, John Kurtz and Mike Halmo all contributed goals as the team pulled within one three separate times. The Crunch couldn't build the momentum to overtake Binghamton and fell for the fourth time in the 10-game series. The game caps off the Crunch's fourth three-in-three of the season and moves the team to 29-19-5-5 on the year.

Mike McKenna stopped 29-of-33 shots in net for the Crunch. Matt O'Connor earned the win with 38 saves. Syracuse was unable to convert on four power play opportunities, while Binghamton went 2-for-6 on the man-advantage.

The Senators were first strike and built a 2-0 lead before the Crunch responded. At the 5:59 mark of the first period, Casey Bailey scored far side from the right circle. Assists went to Chris Carlisle and Kyle Flanagan. Five minutes later, Phil Varone sent a centering pass for Mike Blunden to one-time from the left circle on the power play. Bailey tallied the secondary helper.

The Crunch finally got on the board with 8:13 remaining in the opening frame. Peca skated down the left wing side and left a drop pass for Walcott to net from the top of the circle.

Binghamton reclaimed a two-goal lead 6:43 into the second period. Varone passed down low to Jason Akeson alone in front of the net. He faked before sending the puck five-hole. Francis Perron tallied an assist on the play.

Peca pulled the Crunch back within one at the 14:54 mark. After Ben Thomas fired from the right point, Cory Conacher picked up the rebound and sent a no-look pass back through his legs for Peca to chip in from the slot.

With 53 seconds remaining in the second, the Senators extended their lead to 4-2 on the power play. Bailey tallied his second of the game with a slap shot from the left point with the help of Akeson and Nick Paul.

Akeson added an empty netter off assists from Verone and Ben Harpur with 3:27 remaining in the game to put Binghamton up by three before Syracuse went on a short run to come within one for a third time. Halmo chipped the puck out from behind the cage for Kurtz to backhand during a battle in front. Henri Ikonen recorded a point on the tally. Fourteen seconds later, Erik Condra passed ahead for Halmo to fire top shelf from the left circle. Matt Taormina earned the secondary helper.

Akeson netted his second empty net goal with seconds remaining to record the hat trick and secure a Senators victory.

The Crunch host the St. John's IceCaps this Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Syracuse Crunch single game and ticket packages for the 2016-17 season are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch office located in the War Memorial Arena at 800 S. State St. 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 (@syracusecrunch) using #SyrCrunch, #WeAreOne and #BLUnited.

Crunchables: John Kurtz scored his first goal with the Crunch since Jan. 14, 2012...Matt Taormina is tied for most assists by a defenseman with 34.

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