ROCHESTER, N.Y. – After going down by two, the Syracuse Crunch rallied back with a three-goal third period to defeat the Rochester Americans, 3-2, tonight at the Blue Cross Arena.
Cory Conacher kicked off the rally early in the final frame followed by Erik Condra and Yanni Gourde with the game-winner. The victory advances the team to 5-3-0-0 on the season and 3-0 in the 10-game season series against the Amerks.
Kristers Gudlevskis earned his second win of the season, stopping 16-of-18 shots on goal. His counterpart, Linus Ullmark, made 29 saves for the Amerks. Syracuse was unable to convert on three power play opportunities, while the penalty kill unit shut down all three Rochester man-advantages.
The Amerks were first on the board late in the opening period. Cole Schneider redirected a shot in front of the net from Taylor Fedun. Just 4:47 into the second, they went up by two. Alexander Nylander beat Gudlevskis from the right circle off an assist from Evan Rodrigues
The Crunch rallied back in the third period to overtake the Amerks and steal the win. At the 1:36 mark, Gourde centered a pass for Conacher to net from the slot. Mike Halmo was credited with the secondary assist. With 4:30 remaining in the frame, Condra backhanded in his first of the season with the help of Matthew Peca. When it looked like the game was going into overtime, Gourde tipped Matt Taormina’s shot from the high slot to down the Amerks for the third time this season. Ben Thomas recorded the secondary helper on the game-winner.
With Syracuse match report
