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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Crunch Top Comets, 5-4, in Overtime

January 15, 2024 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Crunch topped the Utica Comets, 5-4, in overtime today at the Upstate Medical University Arena.

After back-and-forth scoring, Joe Carroll potted the game-winner with just one second remaining in the overtime period to advance the Crunch to 20-12-2-2 on the season and 4-4-0-0 in the 14-game season series against the Comets.

Crunch netminder Matt Tomkins turned aside 17-of-20 shots in victory. Akira Schmid stopped 23-of-28 between the pipes for the Comets. The Syracuse power play converted on 1-of-5 opportunities, while Utica went 1-for-4.

Phil Myers opened scoring just 10 seconds into the game with a slap shot from the left point to give Syracuse an early lead. The Comets were quick to respond and evened the score on the power play at 3:05. Xavier Parent's shot went wide right and ricocheted off the end boards for Justin Dowling to stuff in. The Crunch went back on top 1:47 later. Felix Robert skated the puck down the right wing, faked a shot and fed Devante Stephens for a wrister from the left circle. The back-and-forth scoring continued when Ryan Schmelzer threw the puck down the ice for a shorthanded empty-net goal halfway through the frame. Syracuse then wrapped up the first period on top, 3-2, off a one-timer from Mitchell Chaffee on the man-advantage.

The Comets tied the game 1:28 into the second period when Topias Vilen sent in a wrister as he cut across the slot.

Syracuse regained their lead early in the final frame. Jack Finley capitalized on a misplayed puck and fired in a wrister from the left circle. At 13:21, Brian Halonen's wrister from the slot tied the game at 4-4 and eventually sent the teams into overtime where Carroll tallied the game-winner in the final second.

The Crunch host the Providence Bruins on Friday.

Single game tickets and ticket packages for the 2023-24 season are on sale now and can be purchased in person at the Crunch office located inside the Upstate Medical University Arena at Onondaga County War Memorial at 800 S. State St. in Syracuse, by calling the office at 315-473-4444 or online through Ticketmaster. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@syracusecrunch).

Crunchables: Waltteri Merela is on a four-game points streak (4g, 3a)...Joe Carroll leads the team with four game-winning goals.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics



American Hockey League Stories from January 15, 2024


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