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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Overpowered by Americans, 7-4

March 12, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Jonathan Drouin opened scoring with back-to-back tallies in his second two-goal game this season before the Rochester Americans came back to overpower the Syracuse Crunch, 7-4, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.

Drouin gave the Crunch their only lead of the game in the first period. Rochester went on a three-goal spree to take over the contest by the middle stanza. The game continued with back-and-forth scoring and a seven-goal third, but the Crunch were unable to climb back on top and fell to the Americans for the sixth time this season.

The loss snaps a season-long three-game win streak and puts the Crunch at 25-24-9-3 and 2-3-2-1 in the 10-game season series. The Americans advance to 30-26-2-1.

Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis turned aside 21 of 25 shots before being replaced by Adam Wilcox in the third period. Wilcox went on to stop 4-of-5. Linus Ullmark earned the win with 25 saves. Syracuse was able to convert on 2-of-6 power play opportunities, while Rochester went 1-for-3.

With 33 seconds remaining in the first, Drouin put the Crunch on the board, netting a shot from the right wing side off an assist from Matthew Peca. He then built up a two-goal lead when he powered a laser from the left circle while on the power play halfway through the middle frame. Matt Taormina and Tanner Richard picked up points for the helpers.

The Americans solved Gudlevskis at the 13:49 mark of the second and proceeded to net three consecutive tallies. Eric O'Dell skated down the slot and scored over the shoulder of Gudlevskis. With 2:36 remaining in the frame, Justin Bailey went five-hole to bring Rochester within one. Brady Austin recorded the lone assist for both markers.

Just 40 seconds into the third period, the Americans took over the lead. Bobby Sanguinetti tipped Evan Rodrigues's shot from the blue line. However, the Crunch were quick to respond and tied the game for a second time 14 seconds later. Peca sent over a cross-slot feed from the left side for Joel Vermin to redirect backdoor. The secondary helper went to Tye McGinn.

At 5:11, Chad Ruhwedel powered a slap shot past Gudlevskis to chase him from the game. William Carrier went on to pot his 13th of the season and build back a two-goal lead six minutes later.

Jake Dotchin notched his first goal of the season with a one-timer assisted by Dylan Blujus and Cameron Darcy with 3:14 remaining in the contest to bring the Crunch within one. However, Syracuse could not muster up a rally and Alex Guptill and Nick Baptiste added two empty net goals in the final two minutes to secure the win for Rochester.

The Crunch hit the road to face the Springfield Falcons tomorrow at 5 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 played in his 100th professional game tonight...Tanner Richard skated in his 200th professional game...Matthew Peca has five points, all assists, in the last three games.

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