Syracuse Crunch Spook Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 3-1
Published on December 12, 2025 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release
Syracuse Crunch forward Jakob Pelletier vs. the Lehigh Valley Phantoms
(Syracuse Crunch, Credit: Eric Payne)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Crunch spooked the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 3-1, tonight at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
The win snaps a three-game skid and advances the Crunch to 14-9-1-0 on the season.
Crunch goaltender Kevin Mandolese stopped 14-of-15 shots to earn the win in his first start for Syracuse. Phantoms netminder Aleksei Kolosov stopped 25-of-27 shots. Both the Syracuse and Lehigh Valley power plays converted on 1-of-4 opportunities.
The Crunch opened scoring with a power-play goal just 36 seconds into the second period. Nick Abruzzese set up Conor Geekie for a one-timer from the right circle that Dylan Duke redirected into the net. Syracuse doubled their lead with a shorthanded goal late in the frame. Jakob Pelletier got ahead for a short breakaway and beat Kolosov.
The Phantoms stole one back with a power-play goal in the final minutes of the third period. With just 1:44 remaining, Jacob Gaucher jammed the puck in when the rebound from Lane Pederson's dropped down in the crease. The Crunch shut down the late comeback effort before Geekie hit the empty net in the final minute of play to secure a Crunch win.
The Crunch host the Hartford Wolf Pack tomorrow.
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 held the Phantoms to just one shot on goal in the first period. It is the fewest shots allowed in a period this season...Jakob Pelletier is on a three-game goal-scoring streak...Conor Geekie is on a three-game points streak (1g, 3a).
Images from this story
American Hockey League Stories from December 12, 2025
- Manitoba Opens Weekend Series with 6-1 Defeat of Iowa - Iowa Wild
- Comeback Comes up Short in Rockford - Milwaukee Admirals
- Stars' Comeback Falls Short In Homecoming Against Barracuda - Texas Stars
- Phantoms Fall in Mini-Reunion at Syracuse - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- P-Bruins Power Past Bears - Providence Bruins
- Bears Drop Second Straight to Bruins, 4-1 - Hershey Bears
- Comets Drop Close Game to Wolf Pack, 2-1 - Utica Comets
- Syracuse Crunch Spook Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 3-1 - Syracuse Crunch
- Wolf Pack Strike Twice Shorthanded, Down Comets 2-1 - Hartford Wolf Pack
- Senators' Hodgson Suspended for Three Games - AHL
- Syracuse Crunch Recall Defenseman Chris Harpur from Orlando Solar Bears - Syracuse Crunch
- Tampa Bay Lightning Assign Forward Jack Finley to Syracuse Crunch on Conditioning Stint - Syracuse Crunch
- Belleville Sens x Rien À Dire to Launch Fresh T-Shirt Drop Tomorrow - Belleville Senators
- St. Louis Blues Recall Assign F Aleksanteri Kaskimaki to T-Birds - Springfield Thunderbirds
- New York State of Mind This Weekend - Lehigh Valley Phantoms
- Hurricanes Relieve Cam Abbott of Duties as Head Coach of Wolves - Chicago Wolves
- Griffins Release Dustin Tokarski from PTO - Grand Rapids Griffins
- Game Preview: Bears vs. Bruins, 7 p.m. - Hershey Bears
- Game Preview: Condors at Roadrunners, 6 p.m. - Bakersfield Condors
- Bears Sign Jalen Luypen to PTO - Hershey Bears
- Jugnauth's Four-Point Night Leads Firebirds over Wranglers, 7-4 - Coachella Valley Firebirds
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
- Syracuse Crunch Spook Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 3-1
- Syracuse Crunch Recall Defenseman Chris Harpur from Orlando Solar Bears
- Tampa Bay Lightning Assign Forward Jack Finley to Syracuse Crunch on Conditioning Stint
- Tampa Bay Lightning Recall Defenseman Declan Carlile from Syracuse Crunch
- Crunch Downed by Comets, 3-2
