SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Goaltender Adam Wilcox earned his first professional win as the Syracuse Crunch defeated the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, 2-1, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Wilcox had a 25-save performance, while Jonathan Marchessault contributed two goals. Phantoms goaltender Anthony Stolarz allowed two goals on 33 shots. The Crunch were unable to convert on four power play opportunities. The penalty kill unit shut down three of four Phantoms man-advantages.
Tonight’s victory gives Syracuse a 5-4-0-1 record a 2-0 lead in the four-game season series. Lehigh Valley drops to 4-7-0-0.
The Crunch came out powerful in the first period, scoring twice in less than five minutes. Halfway through the frame, Tanner Richard skated the puck across the blue line and dropped it back for Marchessault to net from the right circle. Slater Koekkoek picked up an assist on the tally. Just four minutes later, the right winger notched his second of the game. Yanni Gourde slid a cross-crease pass that caused Stolarz to go down and gave Marchessault an open corner to chip one in. Richard earned his second point of the night with the secondary helper.
The Phantoms finally solved Wilcox with 18 seconds remaining in the second period. Andrew Macdonald netted a slap shot through traffic from the high slot. Shayne Gostisbehere and Tim Brent recorded the assists.
Syracuse was able to hold into their lead through the final frame and downed Lehigh Valley, 2-1.
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