NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Syracuse Crunch

Marlies Top Crunch, 4-3, and Halt Five-Game Win Streak

April 1, 2016 - American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Toronto Marlies topped the Syracuse Crunch, 4-3, to halt the team's season-long five-game win streak tonight at the War Memorial Arena.

Jonathan Drouin opened scoring before the Crunch went down, 2-1, off two straight markers from Ben Smith. In a series of back-and-forth scoring, Matt Taormina and Tye McGinn potted one each for the Crunch, but that was not enough to overtake the Marlies. Syracuse is now 1-3-3-0 in the eight-game series with Toronto and 30-26-10-3 on the season.

Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 24 shots for the Crunch in his first loss in his last six starts. Kasimir Kaskisuo picked up his first win in his first professional game, turning aside 26 of 29. Syracuse struck twice on four power play opportunities and shut down Toronto's only man-advantage.

With 1:56 remaining in the first period, Drouin found the back of the net and put the Crunch on the board. He fired a rocket from the left circle that flew past the goaltender. Ben Thomas picked up his first professional point for the assist. Just 56 seconds later, Smith got one past Gudlevskis while he was screened to send the teams into the first intermission tied, 1-1.

The Marlies pulled ahead for the first time with 4:59 remaining in the second period. Smith recorded his second of the night by redirecting Ty Stanton's shot from the left side.

With less than a minute remaining in the middle period, the Crunch came back to knot the score, 2-2. Matthew Peca won the faceoff and McGinn chipped it out to Taormina. The defenseman carried the puck to the right wing side and beat Kaskisuo for his 13th of the season.

At the 6:56 mark of the final frame, Toronto stole back the lead. Josh Leivo fired from the slot, but his shot was blocked. Mark Arcobello grabbed the rebound and sent it back to the crease for Leivo put in.

The Crunch evened the score for a third time with 5:24 remaining in the contest. While on the power play, McGinn backhanded in the rebound of Peca's shot. Taormina grabbed the secondary assist. However, one minute later, Toronto went back up and held on for the victory when Matt Frattin netted a wrist shot from the right circle with the help of Brendan Leipsic.

The Crunch return to the War Memorial tomorrow to host the Rochester Americans at 7 p.m.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from April 1, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Syracuse Crunch Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central