SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Michael McCarron scored in the final minutes of the third period to force overtime and again in a shootout to lift the St. John’s IceCaps over the Syracuse Crunch, 3-2, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
The Crunch carried a 2-1 lead off first period goals from Daniel Walcott and Anthony DeAngelo until late in the final frame. McCarron was able to even the score with just 2:34 remaining in the contest and eventually downed the team, scoring the only goal in a five-round shootout.
Despite the loss, the Crunch earned one point as they extend to a nine-game winless streak and 19-21-9-2 on the season. The IceCaps build a 4-0-1-0 lead in the eight-game series and improve to 23-19-7-3.
Crunch goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 29 of 31 shots in defeat. His counterpart, Zachary Fucale, earned the win, turning aside 27-of-29. Syracuse was unable to convert on four power play opportunities, while the penalty kill unit went 6-for-8.
The Crunch were first on the board just 1:43 into the game. Walcott netted his second of the season from the left goal post on a second chance opportunity. Matt Taormina and Mike Blunden picked up points on the opening tally.
Three minutes later, John Scott redirected Mark MacMillan’s pass from the corner to light the lamp for the first time and tie the game. Victor Bartley grabbed the secondary helper on the power-play tally.
At the 8:19 mark, Syracuse regained the lead when DeAngelo fired from the high slot off assists from Tanner Richard and Yanni Gourde.
The Crunch held on to their 2-1 lead until late in the third period. With 2:34 on the clock, McCarron capitalized on a stray pass to knot the score and force an extra frame while on the man-advantage. After a scoreless overtime period, McCarron was the only player to net one in a five-round shootout to take a 3-2 victory for the IceCaps.
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