(Syracuse, NY) – The Rochester Americans (9-12-0-1) were denied in their bid for a third straight win after coming up empty-handed in a 4-0 setback to the Syracuse Crunch (12-5-0-2) Saturday at the War Memorial Arena.
Evan Rodrigues recorded a team-high four shots for the Amerks while Linus Ullmark made 34 saves as Rochester suffered its first shutout loss of the season.
Erik Condra (1+2) and Matt Taormina (0+3) each finished with three points in the winning effort while Adam Erne scored twice for the Crunch, who improved to 5-0-0-0 in the season series and surpassed Albany for sole possession of first place in the American Hockey League’s North Division standings. Syracuse goaltender Adam Wilcox stopped all 25 shots sent his way to pick up his first pro shutout.
Syracuse opened the scoring 4:17 into the first period with Jeremy Morin notching his 100th AHL goal on the power-play to stake the Crunch to an early 1-0 lead. Morin connected on a one-timer from the left face-off circle that found the upper right corner of the net.
Taormina, the AHL’s current point leader among defensemen, went onto set up Syracuse’s next two goals, the second of which came 5:32 into the middle frame as Condra tallied his fourth goal of the year. Less than five minutes later, Taormina threw a bouncing puck on net that was redirected past Ullmark by Erne for his first of two on the night, putting the Crunch up 3-0.
Erne added his second goal of the contest on an empty net with 5:21 remaining in the third period to seal the Syracuse victory.
The Amerks continue their season-long four-game road swing as they head to Allentown for the first of back-to-back matchups with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms on Friday Dec. 9 at the PPL Center. Game time is slated for a 7:05 p.m. starts and will be carried live on The Sports Leader 95.7 FM/950 AM ESPN Rochester.
Goal Scorers
RCH: None
SYR: Morin (3), Condra (4), Erne (4, 5)
Goaltenders
RCH: Ullmark – 34/37 (L)
SYR: Wilcox – 25/25 (W)
Shots
RCH: 25
SYR: 38
Special Teams
RCH: PP (0/4) / PK (4/5)
SYR: PP (1/5) / PK (4/4)
