SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Ryan Martindale recorded a three-point game with his first two goals of the season and an assist to help lift the Syracuse Crunch over the St. John’s IceCaps, 3-2, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Martindale opened scoring for the Crunch with back-to-back markers in the first and second periods, while Jeff Tambellini netted the game-winner for the third time this season.
Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis earned his tenth win of the year stopping 21 of 23 shots. IceCaps netminder Eddie Pasquale turned aside 36 of 39 in defeat. Syracuse was unable to convert on four power play opportunities and shut down all three St. John’s man-advantages.
The IceCaps were first on the board 6:31 into the opening frame. Gudlevskis stopped Brett Lernout’s shot from the left point, but left the rebound out for Gabriel Dumont to tuck in.
Two minutes later, Martindale evened the score. Matt Taormina skated the puck towards the end boards and flipped it back from below the goal line for Martindale to chip in. Henri Ikonen recorded a point on the equalizer. At 8:51 of the second period, Martindale netted his second. He deked around a defenseman and fired from the top of the right circle. Gourde and Tambellini assisted on the go-ahead goal.
Tambellini went on to build a two-goal lead for Syracuse 6:54 into in the middle frame. After receiving a pass from Gourde, he cut across the slot and slid a backhander past Pasquale. Martindale earned his third point of the night with the secondary helper.
At the 7:58 mark of the third, the IceCaps pulled within one. Brandon McNally was parked at the right goal post to sweep in a loose puck, but the Crunch were able to stifle the comeback to defeat the IceCaps for the second time this season.
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