Crunch hold on for 4-2 victory over Senators

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – Mike Halmo led the Syracuse Crunch with two goals in a 4-2 win over the Binghamton Senators tonight at the Floyd L. Maines Veterans Memorial Arena.

Halmo broke the stalemate late in the first period before he and Matt Taormina scored back-to-back goals in just 15 seconds in the second period to build a 3-0 lead. The Senators stole two back, but Joel Vermin netted an insurance goal to help move the Crunch to 10-5-0-1 on the season.Syracuse Crunch logo

Adam Wilcox backstopped the Crunch with 30 saves, while Andrew Hammond stopped 25-of-29 for the Senators. Syracuse converted on one of their four power play opportunities and shut down Binghamton’s only man-advantage.

The Crunch were first to score with just 10 seconds remaining in the first period. Michael Bournival carried the puck into the zone and sent it across for Cameron Darcy. Darcy sent a return feed back across the slot for Halmo to jam past Hammond.

Syracuse built a 3-0 lead with back-to-back goals just 15 seconds apart in the middle frame. The first goal came at the 8:29 mark while on the power play. Tanner Richard won the faceoff in the left circle. The puck kicked out for Adam Erne to cycle up to the point where Taormina netted a slap shot. Seconds later, Halmo earned his second of the night. Adam Comrie fired a bomb from the left point that was redirected first by Bournival and into the net by Halmo.

With just two seconds remaining in the second period, the Senators finally got on the board. Phil Varone passed ahead to Kyle Flanagan who got past the defense and scored shorthanded.

The Senators pulled within one less than two minutes into the third period. Buddy Robinson fired from a wide angle. Wilcox got a piece of it, but the puck managed to sneak across the goal line. Assists went to Casey Bailey and Varone.

Vermin added an insurance goal for the Crunch with 2:16 remaining in the game to secure the second win against the Senators this season. Taormina faked a shot at the left point before sending the puck down low for Vermin to backhand in. Yanni Gourde tallied the secondary helper.

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