SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Crunch were downed by the Toronto Marlies, 4-1, tonight at the Upstate Medical University Arena.
Jakob Pelletier extended his league-leading points streak to 20 consecutive games with an assist. It is the first time a player in the AHL has recorded a points streak of at least 20 games since the 2006-07 season. Dylan Duke scored the team’s lone goal on the power play and leads the league with 18 power-play goals.
The loss moves the Crunch to 40-23-3-4 on the season and three points back of the North Division lead with two games remaining. Syracuse completes the four-game season series against Toronto with a 1-2-1-0 record.
Crunch goaltender Brandon Halverson turned aside 17-of-20 shots. Dennis Hildeby earned the win stopping 27-of-28 shots between the pipes for the Marlies. Syracuse converted on 1-of-2 man-advantages, while the penalty kill shutdown Toronto’s lone power play opportunity.
The Crunch were first on the board with a power-play goal 2:43 into the game. Duke was positioned in front of the net to chip in Pelletier’s long shot from the point. Toronto responded with a pair of goals to steal the lead. The first came at the 5:12 mark when Brandon Baddock set up Chas Sharpe on an odd-man rush. Seven minutes later, Alex Nylander sent in a wrister from between the circles.
After a scoreless middle frame, Toronto extended their lead with another goal at the 8:24 mark of the third period. Halverson made the initial save, but Borya Valis was able to chip the puck in during a scramble in the crease. Nylander then potted his second of the game into an empty net during the final minute of play to secure a Marlies win.
The Crunch travel to face the Belleville Senators on Friday for the first game of the final home-and-home series of the regular season.
