SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Springfield Thunderbirds netted the game-winning goal with 1:45 remaining in the game to edge out the Syracuse Crunch, 3-2, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Tye McGinn opened scoring for the Crunch, while newcomer Byron Froese recorded a goal and an assist in his first game with the team. The loss pushes Syracuse to 30-20-5-5 on the season. The Crunch and Thunderbirds split the two-game season series, 1-1.
Goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 24-of-27 shots on net for the Crunch. Adam Wilcox earned the win with 29 saves. Syracuse went 1-for-4 on the power play and a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
The Thunderbirds kicked off scoring with 1:11 remaining in the first period. After Chase Balisy won the faceoff in the right circle, Dryden Hunt knocked the puck down to the goal line for Paul Thompson to squeeze in short side.
The Crunch evened the score 4:13 into the middle frame. Ben Thomas put a shot on net that was turned aside. Froese battled for the rebound and centered it for McGinn to chip in from the crease.
Just 45 seconds into the third period, Syracuse took over the lead on the power play. Froese netted a rocket from the left circle off a one-timer feed from Matt Taormina. Cory Conacher tallied the secondary helper.
Halfway through the third, the Thunderbirds knotted the score, 2-2. Jared McCann pushed the puck out from behind the net for Anthony Greco to shovel in from the left post.
With 1:45 remaining in the contest, Greco tallied his second of the game when he redirected Thompson’s cross-crease feed.
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