Syracuse, NY (March 16, 2012)—Nick Schaus’ third period goal gave the Crunch a 4-3 victory over their I-90 rivals the Rochester Americans.
With tonight’s win the Crunch climb within one point of a playoff spot and improve their season record to 28-27-4-4.
Rochester jumped out to an early lead, scoring the game’s first goal just 1:21 into the contest. Paul Szczechura put the puck past Crunch netminder Iiro Tarkki, assisted by Luke Adam and Derek Whitmore.
The Crunch responded minutes later when a Brandon McMillan wrist shot deflected off the far post and in the net behind Rochester goaltender David Leggio. McMillan’s goal at the 6:34 mark of the first was his 11th of the season and assisted by Peter Holland and J.F. Jacques.
McMillan scored his second goal of the game early in the second stanza. Riley Holzapfel fed McMillan in the right circle, whose one-timer beat Leggio at the 3:57 mark of the period.
Rochester responded 2:06 later while Patrick Maroon was serving bench minor for too many men on the ice. Tarkki made an initial save but the rebound found the stick of Amerks right wing Evan Rankin for the power-play tally. The Crunch had a 19 to seven shot advantage during the second period but both teams went into the second intermission locked at two.
The Amerks took a 3-2 lead with 13:06 to play in regulation. A scramble in front of the Crunch net ended with Rochester left wing Colin Stuart getting credited with the goal.
Syracuse’s offense got help from its defense in the third period. Defensemen Mathieu Carle and Schaus scored the game’s final two goals to give the Crunch a 4-3 victory.
Carle scored his fifth goal of the season at the 11:11 mark of the final frame and Schaus potted the game-winner with 3:09 to play in regulation.
Crunchables: Tonight was Iiro Tarkki’s sixth consecutive win…The Crunch have won four in a row at the War Memorial Arena…With an assist tonight Patrick Maroon is fourth in the AHL in scoring.
Courtesy: Syracuse Crunch
