AHL Syracuse Crunch

Gudlevskis Shutout Extends Crunch Win

December 19, 2014 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


HARTFORD, Conn. - Syracuse (18-7-3-0) left the XL Center unscathed Friday night after a 2-0 victory over the Hartford Wolf Pack (15-10-2-1). In a game that featured 25 combined penalties, the Crunch earned their eighth consecutive win, their longest win streak since February 2013.

Kristers Gudlevskis won his 10th game of the season (10-4-0), and fourth in a row, stopping all 24 shots he faced. The shutout is Gudlevskis' first since he blanked Adirondack Mar. 28 in a 31-save effort. The second-year pro has allowed three goals in his last three games.

Tanner Richard's fifth marker of the season at 2:12 of the second period proved to be the game-winning goal. After serving half of Dalton Smith's roughing double minor to begin the second period, Richard left the penalty box and immediately received a stretch pass from Slater Koekkoek. Richard's first shot was saved by Wolf Pack netminder Mackenzie Skapski, but on a second effort Richard scored. The goal extended Richard's point streak to three games (1g, 2a) and improved his plus-minus rating to plus-18, second best in the AHL. Koekkoek notched his seventh assist and second in as many games.

Syracuse doubled up on Hartford at 10:23 of the second period, capitalizing on a power play after a Tommy Hughes tripping penalty. Vladislav Namestnikov snuck a right-circle wrist shot past a screened Skapski to give the Crunch a 2-0 advantage with Mike Angelidis parked beside the crease. Namestnikov's third goal of the season was his first in five games, while Nikita Nesterov and Jonathan Marchessault earned assists. The helper gives Marchessault 23 points, one shy of Yanni Gourde for the team lead.

The Crunch finished 1-for-6 on the power play while holding the Wolf Pack scoreless on six chances. Each side totaled 24 shots.

Syracuse returns to the ice Friday, hosting the Albany Devils at 7 p.m. The game is the first of two home games in a row against Albany. In their only meeting of the season on Nov. 12, the Crunch topped the Devils, 3-2, in a shootout.

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