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AHL Syracuse Crunch

Gudlevskis Shutout Propels Crunch to Weekend Sweep

March 15, 2015 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


BRIDGEPORT, Conn. - Kristers Gudlevskis stopped all 29 Sound Tiger shots Sunday afternoon, securing a 2-0 Crunch victory at Webster Bank Arena. Syracuse's third win in as many days bolsters its point total to 80, one behind Hershey and four behind Manchester for conference supremacy. Newly-acquired forward Justin Courtnall provided the insurance in his return to Bridgeport, scoring his fifth goal of the season with 3:35 remaining in the game.

Before breaking the scoreless tie halfway through the first period, Syracuse was put on its heels early in the game. Slater Koekkoek's high-sticking penalty drew blood and put the Crunch on a four-minute penalty kill. Two minutes after successfully stopping Bridgeport's fifth-ranked power play, Syracuse hopped on its first man advantage thanks to a hooking penalty assessed to John Persson.

Just nine seconds into the 5-on-4 Yanni Gourde slipped a right-wing shot passed Bridgeport netminder Kent Simposon to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead. Gourde's 24th goal of the season was assisted by perimeter passing from Slater Koekkoek and Cody Kunyk.

In a scoreless second period Syracuse was required to shut down three Sound Tiger power plays, including one 5-on-3. David Broll, Tanner Richard, and Dylan Blujus accumulated a total of 13 penalty minutes, all of which were either canceled out or successfully killed. Despite spending much of the period a man down, Syracuse and Bridgeport each recorded nine shots on goal. Broll fought Scott Mayfield; Charlie Dodero had fought Scooter Vaughn late in the first.

In the third period, following more Crunch penalty killing and solid netminding from Gudlevskis, Dalton Smith started a rush on the right wing and dropped the puck to Justin Courtnall who wired a shot past Simpson at 16:25. It was Courtnall's fifth goal of the season but first in a Crunch sweater in three games. The 6-foot-3, 204-lb forward was acquired on March 9 after appearing in 40 games with Bridgeport. Dalton Smith and Dylan Blujus garnered the assists on the goal that extended Syracuse's lead to 2-0.

Syracuse was 7-for-7 on the penalty kill for the second consecutive night. Gudlevskis, who made 14 saves in the third period, earned his second shutout of the season and seventh of his AHL career. His record stands at 20-11-2 in 35 games.

The Crunch next play Friday at home against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Syracuse hosts Utica Saturday and visits Springfield Sunday.

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