SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Erik Condra found the back of the net for the Syracuse Crunch with just two seconds remaining in the game to break a stalemate and edge the Albany Devils, 3-2, tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Matt Taormina and Tanner Richard built a two-goal lead early in the second period before the Devils climbed back to knot the game. Condra netted his third of the season to put the team over the top and improve to 8-4-0-1.
Goaltender Kristers Gudlevskis stood strong between the pipes for the Crunch, stopping 29-of-31 shots. Mackenzie Blackwood made 27 saves on 30 shots for the Devils. Syracuse was unable to convert on three power play opportunities, while the Devils scored both of their goals on the man-advantage, going 2-for-6.
After a scoreless first period, the Crunch jumped out to a 2-0 lead early in the frame. Matt Peca sent a perfect pass down low for Taormina to redirect backdoor. Less than two minutes later, the Crunch won the faceoff in the offensive zone and sent the puck to the Taormina at the point. He fed Yanni Gourde, who fired from the right wing side. His shot was turned aside, but Richard was at the post to shovel in the rebound.
At the 8:44 mark, Brandon Gormley fired from the right circle. Gudlevskis made the save, but the rebound came right back to the defenseman and he sent the second chance home. With 5:26 remaining in the middle frame, John Quenneville went bardown from the left circle to tie the game.
The Crunch had a final push left in them and lit the lamp with just two seconds left on the clock to take the win. Joel Vermin passed the puck ahead to Condra, who flipped over to the backhand and sent the game-winner over Blackwood’s leg. Daniel Walcott grabbed a point with the secondary assist.
Syracuse will travel to Utica to face the Comets on Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
Syracuse Crunch single game and ticket packages for the 2016-17 season are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch office located in the War Memorial Arena at 800 S. State St. in Syracuse or by calling the office at 315-473-4444. For the latest Crunch news, visit www.syracusecrunch.com or follow the club on Facebook (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch), Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch) and Instagram (@syracusecrunch) using #SyrCrunch, WeAreOne and BLUnited.
Crunchables: Matt Taormina has points in seven consecutive games (2g, 6a)…Tanner Richard has five goals in the last three games.
