ST. JOHN’S, NL – Matt Taormina scored the game-winning goal for the Syracuse Crunch in overtime to defeat the St. John’s IceCaps, 2-1, tonight at the Mile One Centre.
The IceCaps opened scoring in the second period, but Jeff Tambellini quickly notched his fifth of the season to even the score and eventually force overtime. Syracuse leaves St. John’s with three points this weekend and improves to 8-5-1-1 on the season. The IceCaps are 9-5-3-1.
Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis picked up the win, turning aside 29 of 30 shots on goal. His IceCaps counterpart, Zachary Fucale, allowed two goals on 34 attempts. Syracuse was unable to convert on two power-play opportunities, while the penalty kill unit was successful in shutting down both St. John’s man-advantages.
The IceCaps were first to score at the 3:54 mark of the second period. Bud Holloway let off a shot from the slot that was turned aside by Gudlevskis. The Crunch were unable to control the rebound and Gabriel Dumont capitalized with a wrist shot from the right side of the crease.
Just over a minute later, the Crunch knotted the score, 1-1. After a series of shots that got caught up in traffic, Tambellini got his stick on the puck and beat Fucale. Matt Peca and Slater Koekkoek were credited with the assists.
A scoreless third period meant an extra frame would be required for the second consecutive night. At the 3:03 mark of the overtime period, Taormina caught the corner of the net from the right circle to lift the Crunch over the IceCaps, 2-1. Tye McGinn earned the primary helper. Cameron Darcy recorded his first professional point with the secondary assist on the game-winner.
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