Syracuse Crunch Blank Utica Comets, 5-0, in Preseason Finale
AHL Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse Crunch Blank Utica Comets, 5-0, in Preseason Finale

Published on October 3, 2025 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse Crunch left wing Jakob Pelletier vs. the Utica Comets
Syracuse Crunch left wing Jakob Pelletier vs. the Utica Comets
(Syracuse Crunch, Credit: Eric Payne)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Harrison Meneghin and the Syracuse Crunch shut out the Utica Comets, 5-0, tonight during the Visions Federal Credit Union Preseason Faceoff at the Visions Veterans Memorial Arena in Binghamton.

Nick Abruzzese led Crunch scoring with two goals on the night, while Max Groshev, Lukas Pelletier and Lucas Mercuri each recorded multi-point performances with two assists.

Meneghin earned the shutout stopping all 21 shots he faced. Tyler Brennan stopped 10-of-11 shots in net for the Comets before being relieved in the second period. Jeremy Brodeur went on to turn aside 22-of-26. Syracuse converted on 1-of-3 power play opportunities and shut down all three Utica man-advantages.

The Crunch were first on the board 14 minutes into the game. Brennan made the save on Pelletier's shot, but the rebound kicked out for Abruzzese to chip in.

Syracuse doubled their lead at the 7:02 mark of the middle frame. Milo Roelens centered the puck from behind the net for Connor Kurth to send in with a quick stick out front.

The Crunch added three goals in just 2:44 in the third period to roll past the Comets. Halfway through the frame, Kurth sent a cross-crease feed from the left circle for Roelens to send in backdoor while on the power play. A minute later, Abruzzese potted his second of the game when he tipped in a long shot from Pelletier. Cooper Flinton rounded out the third-period scoring with a close-range shot at 11:57.

The Crunch open the regular season on the road when they face the Hershey Bears next Saturday.

Single game tickets and ticket packages for the 2025-26 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), X (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@syracusecrunch).

Crunchables: The Crunch had six different goal scorers through their two preseason games - Brendan Furry, Wojciech Stachowiak, Milo Roelens, Nick Abruzzese, Connor Kurth and Cooper Flinton.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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Images from this story

Syracuse Crunch right wing Spencer Kersten vs. the Utica Comets
Syracuse Crunch right wing Spencer Kersten vs. the Utica Comets
(Eric Payne)		 Syracuse Crunch defenseman Maxim Groshev vs. the Utica Comets
Syracuse Crunch defenseman Maxim Groshev vs. the Utica Comets
(Eric Payne)		 Syracuse Crunch left wing Jakob Pelletier vs. the Utica Comets
Syracuse Crunch left wing Jakob Pelletier vs. the Utica Comets
(Eric Payne)



American Hockey League Stories from October 3, 2025


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