Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Crunch powered past the Adirondack Phantoms 5-2 tonight at the War Memorial Arena.
Ten Crunch players made it onto the score sheet as the Crunch improved their overall record to 9-2-1-1 and home record to 3-2-1.
“Fans have been coming out watching and we had not been putting on a good show for them,” said Head Coach Jon Cooper. “It was great to see that we could string a couple (good games) together here for them. They’ve really jumped on board for us and they gave us a big lift.”
After Pierre-Cedric Labrie gave the Crunch a 1-0 in the opening period, the Crunch offense exploded for four goals on 16 shots in the middle frame.
The Crunch doubled-up on their lead early in the second period when Cory Conacher scored his eighth goal of the season. Conacher’s power-play tally was scored while Phantoms defenseman Danny Syvret was serving two minutes for cross-checking. Conacher’s goal was assisted by Matt Taormina and Brett Connolly.
Ondrej Palat made it 3-0 Crunch when he dove after a loose puck, lifting it over Heeter at the 8:19 mark of the second period. JT Brown and Alex Killorn were credited with the helpers. Less than two minutes later Connolly made it 4-0 by ripping the rebound of a Brown shot past Heeter.
Richard Panik added another power-play goal at the 11:53 mark when he snatched the puck out of the air and knocked it past Heeter. Panik’s goal chased Heeter from the game; he was replaced by Scott Munroe. Munroe saved all 13 shots he faced in relief.
The Phantoms goals came on the power play from Brayden Schenn with 6:33 remaining in the second period and Erik Gustafsson at the 10:07 mark of the third period.
The Crunch will travel to Hershey for a rematch with the Bears tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
Crunchables: With captain Mike Angelidis not playing JT Wyman wore an A in tonight’s contest…Mark Barberio has four points in two games (1g, 3a)…Pierre-Cedric Labrie has three goals and three fights in the past two games…The Crunch have scored a power-play goal in their last three games…The Crunch penalty kill unit is 26 for their last 27…In their most recent two games the Crunch have outscored their opponents 11-3.
Courtesy: Syracuse Crunch
