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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Power-Play Goals Tame Sound Tigers, 4-3

March 27, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Crunch (40-18-8-0) struck twice on the power play to silence the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (24-34-6-1), 4-3, Friday at the War Memorial Arena. The win moved Syracuse into second place in the Eastern Conference with 88 points.

Mike Angelidis opened the scoring with his 19th goal of the season, 2:41 into the first on a man advantage. Carter Ashton pawed down a deflected shot in front of the cage and shuffled the puck to the captain's stick. Ashton recorded his 14th assist of the season. Yanni Gourde registered the secondary helper, his 26th assist and 52nd point, second best on the Crunch this season.

With the score tied at one after Alan Quine evened the contest with five minutes remaining in the first, Cody Kunyk charged the net early in the second period on a 1-on-2 and drew a delayed penalty after being hooked down. Ryan Martindale found the puck resting in the crease and flipped it home for his 12th goal of the season and fourth with the Crunch in 10 games.

The Crunch netted their second power-play goal 14:31 into the middle frame when Joey Mormina fed a pass along the blue line to Jake Dotchin for the rip from the top of the left circle. The rookie defenseman has four power-play goals this season, fourth most on the team. Syracuse finished 2-for-4 on the power-play and stopped all five Bridgeport opportunities. Syracuse's penalty kill is 30 for its last 31.

Jonathan Marchessault recorded the secondary assist on each of the second-period markers, increasing his team-leading total to 57 points (21g, 36a) and recorded his seventh point (4g, 3a) in his current five-game point streak.

Dustin Jeffrey sniped a wrister from the left-wing circle into the top corner of the net to beat Kristers Gudlevskis and pull the Sound Tigers within one at 5:21 of the third. The second-year pro stopped 38 of 41 shots, 19 of which came in the final frame, for his sixth straight win.

"He was outstanding," head coach Rob Zettler said of his goalie's 24th win of the season. "He's the reason why we ended up with two points. We let up 20 shots in the final period, which is unacceptable, but he played good."

Joel Vermin answered Jeffrey's goal four minutes later with his 10th of the season, the eventual game-winner. Justin Courtnall and Angelidis tallied the assists. The secondary assist pulled the captain within one-point of his career-high of 38 points in 2010-11 with Norfolk.

"Guys say, 'You're getting older but you're still learning,'" Angelidis said about pulling within a point of his career-high. "You get more and more going- Zetts and those guys have given me more confidence and I have to keep rolling with it."

Syracuse welcomes Rochester into the War Memorial Saturday for the final contest of the regular season between the teams. The Crunch have won four of the seven matchups against the Amerks this season. Six of Syracuse's final 10 games at home.

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