Syracuse Crunch Top Springfield Thunderbirds, 4-3
Published on February 4, 2026 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release
Syracuse Crunch center Tristan Allard vs. the Springfield Thunderbirds
(Syracuse Crunch, Credit: Eric Payne)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Crunch topped the Springfield Thunderbirds, 4-3, tonight at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
The win snaps a three-game skid for the Crunch and advances the team to 24-16-3-1 on the season.
Crunch goaltender Brandon Halverson earned the win stopping 27-of-30 shots. Vadim Zherenko turned aside 16-of-20 in net for the Thunderbirds. The Syracuse power play converted on 1-of-3 opportunities, while the penalty kill went 3-for-4.
The Thunderbirds opened scoring 8:46 into the first period. Halverson made the initial save on a tipped shot, but the rebound dropped down for Chris Wagner to chip in. It remained a one-goal game until the Crunch evened the score at 15:56. Tristan Allard cut across the slot and sent the puck five-hole to tie it, but Springfield responded and regained their lead just 21 seconds later when Michael Buchinger scored on a penalty shot.
During the final minute of the period, Syracuse rallied and stole the lead with back-to-back goals just 16 seconds apart. At 19:43, Mitchell Chaffee threw the puck towards the net for Dylan Duke to score from one knee on the back door during the man-advantage. Wyatt Newpower then put the Crunch on top as he sent in a shot from the right circle with just one second remaining in the frame.
Max Groshev built up a two-goal lead for the Crunch when he potted a wrister from the left circle five minutes into the middle frame.
Springfield came back within one with a power-play goal at the 1:29 mark of the third period. After the puck got caught in traffic in the slot, Aleksanteri Kaskimäki grabbed it and scored, but Syracuse was able to shut down a comeback effort and took the midweek victory.
The Crunch host the Belleville Senators on Friday.
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: Wyatt Newpower recorded his first goal with the Crunch tonight.
Images from this story
American Hockey League Stories from February 4, 2026
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