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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Overcome by Devils, 6-4

January 8, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


ALBANY, N.Y. - Jonathan Drouin scored two first period goals in his first game with the Syracuse Crunch this season as the team was overcome by the Albany Devils, 6-4, tonight at the Times Union Center.

Jeff Tambellini also notched two goals, while recently named AHL All-Star Matt Taormina and Tye McGinn recorded multi-point games with two assists each.

The loss puts Syracuse on a three-game skid and 14-14-5-1 on the season. Albany advances to 21-8-3-0 and 4-0 in the six-game season series.

Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis stopped eight of 10 shots before being replaced by Adam Wilcox to start the second period. Wilcox recorded the loss, turning aside 17 of 20. Devils goaltender Yann Danis made 19 saves. Syracuse was unable to convert on two power-play opportunities and shut down 4-of-6 Albany man-advantages.

The first period saw four goals, with the Devils striking first at the 10:27 mark. Joseph Blandisi passed down low for Matt Lorito on the goal line. Lorito continued the quick puck movement and threw it cross-slot for Mike Sislo to redirect backdoor. At 12:08, Drouin split the defense at the blue line and beat Danis on the breakaway to tie the game. Daniel Walcott picked up the assist on the equalizer.

Two minutes later, Albany took back the lead on a similar play to the opening tally. Reid Boucher chipped the puck across the crease for Corey Tropp to net from the right goal post. However, the Crunch climbed back again before the first intermission. With 43 seconds remaining in the frame, Drouin evened the score for the second time. Yanni Gourde carried the puck into the offensive zone and fed Drouin in the slot. He faked a forehand shot, pulled it over to the right side and backhanded another past Danis. Mike Blunden recorded the secondary helper.

Just before the halfway mark of the middle stanza, the Devils lit the lamp to take the lead for the third time. Ben Thomson meant to pass across the zone, but the puck went off a Crunch skate and right onto Rod Pelley's stick. Wilcox was moving sideways to track the puck, leaving the net open for Pelley to score. Reece Scarlett grabbed a point on the go-ahead marker.

The lead didn't last long as the Crunch came back for a third time thanks to back-to-back goals by Tambellini. With 9:21 remaining in the second, he received a pass from Taormina and fired one home from the top of the left circle. McGinn earned his first point of the night with an assist. The center went on to give the Crunch their first lead of the game at the 5:14 mark of the final period. After a series of saves on shots from Taormina and McGinn, Danis left a rebound out for Tambellini to clean up from the crease.

Late in the third period, the Devils kicked-off a rally that eventually downed the Crunch. Sislo one-timed a rocket from the left circle on the man-advantage off assists from Scarlett and Blandisi with 7:11 remaining. A minute later, Lorito stole an errant pass at center ice, raced across the blue line and scored top shelf to put Albany up, 5-4. Boucher added an empty net tally with 35 seconds remaining to secure a 6-4 victory for the Devils.

The Crunch return to the War Memorial for the first time in six games to host the Hershey Bears tomorrow 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: Jonathan Drouin made his season debut with the Crunch tonight...Jeff Tambellini took sole possession of Crunch leading goal scorer tonight with his 14th marker...Adam Wilcox appeared in his first game with the Crunch since Dec. 20...Matt Taormina recorded his second consecutive multi-point game tonight.

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