SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Crunch were downed by the Rochester Americans, 3-2, tonight at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
The loss moves the Crunch to 39-22-3-4 on the season. They complete the 12-game season series against the Amerks with a 6-5-0-1 record.
Crunch goaltender Brandon Halverson stopped 15-of-18 shots. Devon Levi turned aside 17-of-19 shots in net for the Amerks. The Syracuse power play was held scoreless on two opportunities, while Rochester went 1-for-2.
The Crunch jumped out to a 1-0 lead just 3:54 into the game. Nick Abruzzese stole the puck in the Amerk’s zone and passed over to Dylan Duke in the left circle. He quickly fed Matthew Peca who scored as he cut across the slot. The Amerks responded six minutes later and tied the game with a power-play goal. Olivier Nadeau was down low to tip in Anton Wahlberg’s right-point shot.
Rochester took the lead halfway through the second period. Nadeau forced a turnover in the bottom of the left circle and sent in his second of the game. Syracuse stole it back and knotted the game, 2-2, at the 11:04 mark. Jarred Tinordi cut across the crease, grabbed the puck, turned and shot it in from a sharp angle along the goal line.
The Amerks went back on top at the 11:31 mark of the final frame when Christopher Douglas fired in a rocket from the right circle. They maintained their lead through the end of regulation to take the win.
The Crunch host the Utica Comets on Saturday.
