(Rochester, NY) – For the second time in eight days, the Syracuse Crunch built a two-goal lead that the Rochester Americans couldn’t overcome, taking a 2-1 decision over the Amerks Monday afternoon at The Blue Cross Arena.
Justin Bailey scored the lone goal for the snake-bitten Amerks, who fall to 18-19-2-1 following tonight’s loss, with Brady Austin and Matt Ellis recording assists behind a 28-save effort from Nathan Lieuwen.
Adam Erne and David Broll scored the visiting Crunch, while Kristers Gudlevskis stopped 28 of 29 shots to help Syracuse to its second straight win over Rochester and the fourth overall in its last six games.
After a scoreless first period, Erne broke the deadlock just 1:23 into the second stanza to put the Crunch on the board. Erne attacked the Rochester zone along the right wing boards and wristed one over the shoulder of Lieuwen from the top of the circle to give Syracuse a 1-0 lead. The Crunch carried the one-goal advantage into the intermission despite getting outshot 13-5 by Rochester throughout the frame.
Syracuse increased its lead to a pair 2:45 into the third period when Broll snuck behind the Rochester defense on a breakaway and rocketed a shot to the far corner over the glove of Lieuwen. His second goal of the season would ultimately provide enough of a cushion for the Crunch to stave off the Amerks for the final 17:15 of regulation.
Rochester cut the deficit in half just 1:24 later as Bailey and the crossbar teamed up to get the better of Gudlveskis in denying the goaltender’s bid for his second shutout of the season. As Bailey gained the Syracuse blueline, the rookie forward cut across the high slot and drove a shot on net that clanked off the crossbar, careened off the back of Gudlveskis and trickled in.
It was as close as the Amerks would come, however, as they were unable to find the back of the net again for a second time despite 1:14 of an extra attacker with Lieuwen on the bench.
The Amerks hit the road on Friday, Jan. 22 when they travel to Van Andel Arena for the first of back-to-back meetings with the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 7:00 p.m. matchup against the Griffins will be the first of just four meetings between the former North Division rivals this season and can be heard live on FOX Sports 1280 Rochester.
Goal Scorers
RCH: Bailey (6)
SYR: Erne (7), Broll (2)
Shots
RCH: 29
SYR: 30
Goaltenders
RCH: Lieuwen – L (28/30)
SYR: Gudlevskis – W (28/29)
Special Teams
Amerks Power Play: 0-2
Amerks Penalty Kill: 0-0
