SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Mike Blunden ended a shutout bid for Joe Cannata late in the third period, but was unable to spark a comeback as the Syracuse Crunch were overwhelmed by the Utica Comets, 3-1, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 29 of 32 shots, while Comets netminder Cannata was 1:06 short of blanking the Crunch with a 26-save performance. The Syracuse penalty kill unit was perfect, shutting down all four Utica man-advantages. The Crunch were unable to convert on their four power play opportunities.
The Crunch are handed their fourth loss by the Comets this season and now sit at 1-4 in the 10-game season series and 16-15-6-1 on the year. The Comets snap a seven-game winless streak and move to 17-15-3-3.
Just 2:01 into the contest, Utica lit the lamp. Brandon Marino netted his first goal of the season from the slot off a pass from Brendan Gaunce. Alex Friesen picked up a point for the secondary assist.
Halfway through the first frame, the Comets struck again to build a 2-0 lead. Mike Zalewski ripped a slap shot with the help of Carter Bancks and Hunter Shinkaruk.
The Comets held off the Crunch during the second period and tallied their third maker 3:09 into the final frame. Gaunce capitalized on a turnover and beat Gudlevskis on a breakaway. Friesen recorded a multi-point night with the assist.
Just as it appeared Utica was going to shutout Syracuse, Blunden put the team on the board with 1:06 remaining. He received a pass from Tanner Richard and fired on net. It rung off the post and past Cannata. Tye McGinn grabbed the helper. However, the goal was not enough to mount a comeback and Syracuse fell to Utica, 3-1.
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