Syracuse, NY (January 28, 2012) - The Crunch scored three power-play goals but were edged by the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, 5-4, in a shootout tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Peter Holland scored two power-play goals, Kyle Palmieri added a third power-play tally and Brandon McMillan scored at even strength to round out the Crunch goal scorers.
Syracuse opened up the scoring 4:53 into the first when Palmieri put in his 25th goal of the season, beating Sound Tigers netminder Kevin Poulin with a quick wrister unassisted on the man advantage.
Bridgeport tied it up just three minutes later, with a goal by Kael Mouillierat, his fifth of the year with helpers from Micheal Haley and David Ullstrom.
With Trevor Gillies in the box for the Sound Tigers, Holland gave the Crunch their second power-play goal of the night 6:17 into the second period. Mathieu Carle picked up his first of two assists on the evening.
Holland scored his second power-play goal of the night with three minutes remaining in the second period, sending the Crunch into the intermission with a 3-1 lead.
A strong point shot by Sound Tiger center Casey Cizikas trickled through Crunch goaltender Iiro Tarkki's five hole 3:38 into the third period. Jon Landry and Ty Wishart recorded assists.
McMillan gave the Crunch back their two-goal lead 11:27 into the third with his seventh goal of the season, deflecting a shot from Mat Clark past Poulin. Luca Caputi also assisted on the goal, his 12th point in the previous 11 games.
The Sound Tigers cut the Crunch's lead to one with a shorthanded goal by Haley. Scott Howes evened the score in the final minute of regulation when the Sound Tigers pulled Poulin for an extra-attacker.
After a scoreless five minute overtime period, the Crunch and Sound Tigers headed to a shootout, where Palmieri, Holland, Maroon and Caputi were unable to beat Poulin. Tarkki was unable to stop the backhanded shots of Howes and Ullstrom.
Crunchables: Kyle Palmieri's first-period goal was his 25th in 26 games… With his two points tonight, Mathieu Carle was able to break the top 10 in AHL defensemen for scoring… Peter Holland is the first Crunch player to score two power-play goals in one game this season.
**Courtesy SU Athletics**
