SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Crunch were first on the board and never let go of the lead as they built towards a 4-1 victory and snapped the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ seven-game win streak today at the War Memorial Arena.
Yanni Gourde and Daniel Walcott opened scoring in the first period before Slater Koekkoek made it 3-0 in the middle frame. The Penguins stole one back, but Matt Peca added an empty netter in the final seconds to secure the team’s first victory over the Penguins this season. The win advances Syracuse to 20-10-2-5 and brings the team to 1-3 in the six-game season series against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Adam Wilcox had a 31-save performance between the pipes for the Crunch to collect his 14th win of the season. Tristan Jarry turned aside 15-of-18 for the Penguins. Syracuse went 1-for-4 on the power play and a perfect 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
Gourde put the Crunch on the board 10:57 into the first period. After Walcott forced a turnover in the offensive zone, Gourde grabbed the loose puck, deked around a defender and beat Jarry. Four minutes later, Walcott netted one of his own on the power play. He raced down the right wing side and shoved the puck in at the post. Matt Taormina and David Pacan earned assists on the play.
The Crunch went up by three 6:42 into the middle frame. Pacan won the draw and chipped it back for Koekkoek to pot from the high slot.
The Penguins finally solved Wilcox with 5:33 remaining in the second period. Dominik Simon backhanded one on net that was turned aside, but Carter Rowney cleaned up the rebound from the crease.
With 2:55 to play, Peca added an empty netter with the help of Tanner Richard and Mathieu Brodeur
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