Syracuse Crunch Outlast Belleville Senators, 2-1
AHL Syracuse Crunch

Syracuse Crunch Outlast Belleville Senators, 2-1

Published on February 18, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


Syracuse Crunch left wing Brendan Furry vs. the Belleville Senators
Syracuse Crunch left wing Brendan Furry vs. the Belleville Senators
(Syracuse Crunch, Credit: Jana Chytilova - Freestyle Photography)

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Crunch outlasted the Belleville Senators to earn the win, 2-1, tonight at CAA Arena.

Syracuse jumped out to an early lead just over a minute into the first period, but Belleville tied the game at one with two minutes to play in the frame. The Crunch found the back of the net to make the score 2-1 at the close of the second period and maintained their lead through the final frame.

Four Crunch skaters saw the scoresheet tonight with a goal apiece from Mitchell Chaffee and Dylan Duke and assists added by Conor Geekie and Tristan Allard.

The Crunch advance to 29-16-3-1 on the season and 4-2-0-0 in the eight-game seasons series with the Senators.

Crunch goaltender Brandon Halverson earned the win putting a stop to 21-of-22 shots. Leevi Meriläinen turned aside 21-of-23 shots in net for the Senators. Syracuse was held scoreless on four power-play opportunities while keeping Belleville off the scoresheet on two man advantages.

The Crunch were on the board early with a goal from Mitchell Chaffee just 1:13 into the opening frame. Chaffee and Conor Geekie skated up the ice on a 2-on-1 and Geekie fed the puck from the right circle across the slot. Chaffee then connected with the pass and fired a one-timer home from the left circle. The Senators knotted the score with 1:52 remaining in the period as Scott Harrington potted a snapshot from the bottom of the right circle.

Syracuse regained a one-goal advantage with 10 seconds to play in the second period. Tristan Allard intercepted a pass at the red line and skated the puck into the offensive zone. He dished it over to the left circle for Dylan Duke to slide home under the pads of Meriläinen.

The score remained the same through the third period to give Syracuse the win.

The Crunch return home for a two-game set against the Checkers on Friday and Saturday.

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: Mitchell Chaffee has a goal in five straight games and points in seven straight (7g, 2a)...The Crunch have a season high six-game win streak...Conor Geekie extended his points streak to a career-high eight games (2g, 9a)...Dylan Duke leads the Crunch with five game-winning goals.

Check out the Syracuse Crunch Statistics

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Images from this story

Syracuse Crunch defenseman Jarred Tinordi vs. the Belleville Senators
Syracuse Crunch defenseman Jarred Tinordi vs. the Belleville Senators
(Jana Chytilova - Freestyle Photography)		 Syracuse Crunch center Dylan Duke reacts after his goal against the Belleville Senators
Syracuse Crunch center Dylan Duke reacts after his goal against the Belleville Senators
(Jana Chytilova - Freestyle Photography)		 Syracuse Crunch left wing Brendan Furry vs. the Belleville Senators
Syracuse Crunch left wing Brendan Furry vs. the Belleville Senators
(Jana Chytilova - Freestyle Photography)



American Hockey League Stories from February 18, 2026


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