ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Kristers Gudlevskis made 28 saves and recorded his first point of the season as the Syracuse Crunch defeated the Rochester Americans, 2-1, this afternoon at the Blue Cross Arena.
Adam Erne opened scoring with his seventh of the year early in the second period. David Broll kicked off the third by tallying his second goal and second game-winner this season.
Crunch goaltender Gudlevskis earned his first win since the teams last faced each other on Jan. 10. Americans netminder Nathan Lieuwen was handed the loss, allowing two goals on 20 shots. The Syracuse penalty kill was perfect, shutting down both of Rochester’s man-advantages. The Crunch saw no power-play opportunities.
After a scoreless first period, Erne lit the lamp just 1:23 into the middle frame. He received a pass from Gudlevskis and skated through the neutral zone and across the blue line before firing a wrist shot past Lieuwen from the top of the right circle.
Broll built a 2-0 lead for the Crunch at the 2:45 mark of the third period. After bypassing the Americans defense, he netted his second of the season on the breakaway. Henri Ikonen grabbed a point for the assist.
Less than two minutes later, Rochester stole one back. Justin Bailey cut across the slot and threw the puck on net. It bounced down off the crossbar and trickled across the goal line. Matt Ellis and Brady Austin recorded the helpers.
The Crunch were able to hold the Americans off through regulation and took a 2-1 victory.
The win advances Syracuse to 18-15-6-1 on the season and 2-0-1-1 in the 10-game series with Rochester. The Americans drop to 18-19-2-1 with their third straight loss at home.
With Crunch game report
